Moving from spring into summer always brings quite a bit of change with nature while it's a busy time for a local nature center.

Baltimore Woods in Marcellus just opened a new wheelchair accessible trail and has several programs lined up for the coming weeks. Officials said in 2020 they saw about a 25% increase in the number of hikers who used their trails.

With the addition of the wheelchair accessible trail, guests will also find interpretive signs along it, designed to help them understand the importance of nature.

The executive director said more people took advantage of getting exercise at the nature center last year and said things evidently picked up where they left off last fall.

As for its programs, Baltimore Woods is always adding new classes and events to the calendar for both kids and adults. From flowers and wildlife, there is always something to learn about when it comes to nature.

"There's so much to see; leaves emerging, the insects are back, we can hear birds singing as they're migrating through and building their nests. So it's a wonderful time for people of all ages to get out and explore either out on the trails or one of our in-person or virtual programs," said Baltimore Woods Nature Center Executive Director Whitney Lash-Marshall.

Crews recently added a brand new "welcome sign" to the main entrance of the 180 acre property. The signage on the new wheelchair accessible trail also features the work of naturalist John Weeks, who recently passed away this spring.

Weeks was one of the founders of Baltimore Woods almost 50 years ago.

You can learn all about the upcoming in-person and virtual programming by visiting the Baltimore Woods website.