Jean Worthley, known as "Miss Jean," became Maryland's own Pied Piper through Hodgepodge Lodge on MPT, where throughout the 1970s she and her parrot Aurora taught children about animals, plants, and nature and encouraged a generation to respect and protect the natural world. After filming more than 1,000 episodes, she believed that watching nature on television was not enough and wanted people to go outdoors. An early supporter of the new nature center called Irvine, she served on its board for many years, and in recognition of her lifelong commitment to environmental education, Irvine joined with her friends to re-create Hodgepodge Lodge for a new generation as a place where children could encounter live animals, record discoveries in chalk, learn new songs, and enjoy interactive play with new friends.