About Us

Manchester Parks Foundation, located in Manchester, Maryland was founded in 1996 to protect and preserce the natureal resources of Pine Valley Park and its surrounding area. The Foundation's most precious initiative, Charlotte's Quest Nature Center is named in honor of Charlotte Collett, a local enviornmentalist known for her dedication to conservation and  education. Initally established as a non-profit organization, Charlotte's Quest nature center focussed on activities aimed at safeguarding water quality, conserving woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands, and sustaining local wildlife habitats. The nature center also aimed to provide opportunities for envirnmental educaiton to the community.Over the years, Charlottes Quest Nature center has become a hub for environmental education and outdoor recreaction in the manchester area. The Nature Centeroffers a wide range of programs and activiites designed to enfgagevisitors of all ages with the natureal world. Theese programs include guided nature hikes, wildlife observation, educational workshops and community events. One of the key mildestones in the nature centeres evolution was constructing the nature center buiilding on land initially purchast by the town of Manchester's water deparment. THis buildlng serves as a hub for edcuational activiers and community engagement.The natuer centers success can be attrivuted to the dediation and hard work of its board members, staff and volunteers. The board comprised of individuals from local schools, the community, and the town counci plays a crucial role in guiding the organizations and ensuring it stays aligned with its mission and goals. Furthermore, the nature centers engageement with the broasder community has been instrumental in its growth and impact. By establishing strong partnerships with local agencies, organsisations and contributors Charlottes Quest Nature Cnetere has been able to expland its reach and offer a diverse rance of programs and resources. TOday, Charlottes QUest Natuere center is a testament to the power of community driven encvironmental initiavites. Trhogyh its educational programs conserbation efforts and community engagement, the nature center contuinue to inspire and educate indidvauals about the iporatnce of environemntal stewardship and the beasuty of the naturela world.