Events

Upcoming events

• MNPS Field Trip: Civil War Fort Site: Fort Dupont

  • When
    05 Feb 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Fort Dupont, Washington, DC

  Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

  Civil War Fort Sites in Washington, DC
  
  

  We will return to FORT DUPONT, the largest of the Civil War Fort properties in Washington D.C. at 261 acres, to explore the upland forests with an emphasis on identifying native oaks using the bark, leaves on the ground, buds and acorns.  We will meet in the parking lot of the Fort Dupont Activity Center but car share to our entry point on Ridge Road.

  In 2012, the trips will focus on Oak identification as part of the Society's Year of the Oak.

  Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica

  Directions: We will meet in the parking lot of the Ft. DuPont Activity Center off Randall Circle.  Randall Circle is on Minnesota Avenue SE at Massachusetts Av. SE.  Access via East Capital Street and go south on Minnesota Av SE to Randall Circle which is at Mass Av. SE.  Or, take I-295 from the beltway north to Pennsylvania Av SE and turn north on Minnesota Av.  Travel north until you get to Mass Av SE which is Randall Circle. Go around the circle and into the park at the sign and you will see the parking lot on your left.

  Bring: Water and lunch.

  Note: Easy to moderate walk. Trip will be cancelled if there is rain. If you have any questions, call Mary Pat in the morning of the walk before 9 am to check to see if walk will go on.

  Contact: Mary Pat Rowan, blair-rowan@starpower.net, 202 526 8821.

  Registration is not required.

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• MNPS Workshop: Winter Botany

  • When
    11 Feb 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Towson University, Smith Hall, 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  Workshop leaders: Dr. Roland Roberts & Christa Partain

  
  

  This winter botany workshop consists of a review of botanical morphology, training in the use of a dichotomous key, and hands-on experience in the classroom and in the field.  Learn how to identify both herbaceous and woody plants.  The morning portion will be held in a Towson University classroom with dissecting microscopes.  The afternoon portion will be in the field on Towson’s campus.  There will be a lunch break.  Bring your own lunch; there are also dining options on campus.

  This workshop is limited to 12 participants. Registration is required.
  

  Location: Towson University, Smith Hall, 8000 York Rd. Towson, MD  21252

   Directions: from I-695, take exit 27A onto MD-146S/Dulaney Valley Rd toward Towson.  At the traffic circle, take the 3^rd exit onto Dulaney Valley/York Rd.  Continue to follow York Rd.  Turn right onto Glen Drive.  Smith Hall is at the end of Glen Drive.

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• MNPS Baltimore Chapter Monthly Lecture/Discussion: Wavy-leaved Basketgrass Ecology

  • When
    15 Feb 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Howard County Conservancy, Woodstock, MD

  Speaker: Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp
  
  Maryland is "ground zero" for the invasive plant, wavy-leaved basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. undulatifolius).  Towson University plant ecologist, Vanessa Beauchamp will discuss the ecology of this insidious non-native grass.
  

  Location: 

  Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road  Woodstock, MD 21163.

   Directions: from I-70, take exit toward MD-99.  Merge onto Columbia Pike.  Turn left onto MD-99 W/Old Frederick Rd.  The Conservancy will be on the right.

  There will be refreshments. Pot luck refreshments are always welcome.
  

  The meeting is open to non-members.

  Registration is not required.

  Meetings take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

  For more information, contact Chris Partain: cpartain@gmail.com

  
  

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• MNPS Field Trip: Cheverly Nature Hike and Bird Count

  • When
    18 Feb 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Location
    Cheverly Town Hall (Community Center), 6401 Forest Rd.
  • Spaces left
    15
  • Registered
    Nobody

  Co-Sponsoring Organizations:The Cheverly Green Infrastructure Committee

  This hike will be guided by experienced  bird watchers who are also familiar with the local trees. This is a great chance to learn about birds, your local green infrastructure and, in general, to enjoy what the natural areas have to offer in Cheverly.

  Leaders: Matt Salo and others

  Directions: Google map directions

  Contact: Matt Salo at 301-341-1261 or mtsalo1@gmail.com

  If you wish to do the bird count on your own, or on the other Friday 2/17 or Monday, 2/20 go to the website http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/howto.html for directions on “How to Participate.” You may send your Cheverly counts for submission to Matt at his e-mail address above, but be sure to use the official tally lists provided at the above birdsource web site and mark your location as “Cheverly,” rather than using the zip code which covers a far wider area.

  Fees: $5 per person. 

  Registration: Via Matt Salo

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• MNPS Field Trip: Winter Tree and Plant ID Hike

  • When
    18 Feb 2012
  •  
    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Dora Kelly Nature Park, Alexandria, Virginia
  • Registered
    4 attendees

  Sponsoring Organizations: MNPS and Ford Nature Center
  

  Learn how to identify native trees in winter by their bark, buds, and where they grow.  Plant Ecologist Rod Simmons will lead a walk at Dora Kelley Nature Park in the City of Alexandria, Virginia exploring the natural history of our local forests, with an emphasis on upland oaks of the fall line and inner coastal plain.  Program is free; ages 16 and up.  Hot cocoa provided.
  

  Leaders: Rod Simmons

  Contact: Call the Naturalist staff at the Ford Nature Center at 703-746-5559 for more information or contact Jennifer Millwood at Jennifer.Millwood@alexandriava.gov
  

  Register: REQUIRED through City of Alexandria alexandriava.gov . Registration limit is 25.

  Notes: Dora Kelley Nature Park stretches along Holmes Run at the eastern end of the Holmes Run Gorge and is one of Alexandria’s largest parks.
  

  Directions: Shirley Highway (395) to King St. (Rt. 7) west exit.  Gradually move to left lane after exiting and take left onto Beauregard St. at bottom of hill (Beauregard St. becomes Walter Reed Dr. at this intersection at edge of City of Alexandria and Arlington County).  Follow Beauregard St. south and uphill past Seminary Rd. and downhill to Sanger Ave.  Take right onto Sanger Ave. and continue a short distance to its end.  Turn left into parking area (shared entrance with school) and proceed to parking lot at woods edge and park.  Meet at the Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave.

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• MNPS Field Trip: Cheverly Nature Hike and Bird Count

  • When
    19 Feb 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Location
    Cheverly Nature Park, Tremont Avenue
  • Spaces left
    15
  • Registered
    Nobody

  Co-Sponsoring Organizations:The Cheverly Green Infrastructure Committee

  This hike will be guided by experienced  bird watchers who are also familiar with the local trees. This is a great chance to learn about birds, your local green infrastructure and, in general, to enjoy what the natural areas have to offer in Cheverly.

  Leaders: Matt Salo and others

  Directions: Google map directions Cheverly Nature Park, Tremont Ave. Park on the nearby streets. 

  Contact: Matt Salo at 301-341-1261 or mtsalo1@gmail.com

  If you wish to do the bird count on your own, or on the other Friday 2/17 or Monday, 2/20 go to the website http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/howto.html for directions on “How to Participate.” You may send your Cheverly counts for submission to Matt at his e-mail address above, but be sure to use the official tally lists provided at the above birdsource web site and mark your location as “Cheverly,” rather than using the zip code which covers a far wider area.

  Fees: $5 per person. 

  Registration: Via Matt Salo

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• MNPS Western Mountains Chapter Meeting: "Going Native in Your Backyard"

  • When
    21 Feb 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

  Speaker: Liz McDowell, Coordinator, Western Mountains Chapter of MNPS

  Switching to native plants and using conservation landscaping techniques is crucial to the long term health of the environment. As habitat is lost and exotic species invade the most wild and rural areas of our region, gardeners can play a key role in maintaining regional biodiversity. Many native alternatives to the exotic invasive plants commonly used for landscaping in our region will be highlighted. Discover the connection between native plants, wildlife and people. Enhance and preserve regional biodiversity by simply 'going native'.

  This program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

  Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building.

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• MNPS Monthly Meeting: Winter Oak Identification Workshop

  • When
    28 Feb 2012
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    Kensington Library, Kensington, MD

  Register

  Speaker: Cris Fleming

  2012 is the MNPS Year of the Oak, and this month Cris Fleming will continue her series of tree identification workshops with a focus on oaks. She will bring specimens of twigs, bark, and fruits to help participants learn different techniques of identifying oaks in winter. Please bring a hand lens if you have one and any book that gives information about trees and shrubs without the leaves.

  Location: Kensington Library.

  Directions: From the Washington Beltway (I-495)

  Take Connecticut Avenue north to the third signal after the Beltway. Turn left onto Knowles and go 2 1/2 blocks to the library on the right.

  The meeting is open to non-members.

  Registration is not required.

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• MNPS Field Trip: Civil War Fort Site: TBA

  • When
    04 Mar 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Washington, DC

  Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

  Civil War Fort Sites in Washington, DC
  
  

  We will return to different forts to explore the upland forests with an emphasis on identifying native oaks using the bark, leaves on the ground, buds and acorns.  

  In 2012, the trips will focus on Oak identification as part of the Society's Year of the Oak.

  Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica

  Directions: TBA

  Bring: Water and lunch.

  Note: Easy to moderate walk. Trip will be cancelled if there is rain. If you have any questions, call Mary Pat in the morning of the walk before 9 am to check to see if walk will go on.

  Contact: Mary Pat Rowan, blair-rowan@starpower.net, 202 526 8821.

  Registration is not required.

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• Meeting:

  • When
    20 Mar 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Cheverly, MD
  • Registered
    Nobody

  Sponsoring Organization: Cheverly Green Infrastructure Committee

  Speaker: Doug Tallamy
  

  Douglas Tallamy, a Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at University of Delaware, is widely recognized for his ability to clearly explain complex ecological relationships among plants, insects and other animals. His award-winning book "Bringing Nature Home" is must reading for anyone interested in gardening, wildlife and in preserving sustainable environments. 

  
  

  Dr. Tallamy will speak on the interrelations of plants and animals and what we can do to preserve the services nature is providing us by using native plants in landscaping. Following his recommendations to encourage native flora can have far reaching benefits for our entire ecosystems which in turn provide us with clean air, water, food and healthy surroundings. 

  
  

  Contact: Matt T. Salo at 301-341-1261; e-mail mtsalo1@gmail.com 
  

  
  

  Location:Cafeteria of the Chevery lJudith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center Montessori School, 2300 Belleview Ave., Cheverly, MD, 20785.

  Directions: Google maps directions

  The meeting is open to the public.

  Registration is not required.

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• MNPS Baltimore Chapter Monthly Lecture/Discussion: Saving the Sundial Lupine

  • When
    21 Mar 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills, MD

  Speaker: Dr. Sara Tangren

  The University of Maryland Arboretum and Botanic Garden has completed it first Rare Plant Heritage Project, conservation of the state-threatened sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis).  Soil Scientist and Plant Ecologist, Dr. Sara Tangren, will discuss the unique habitats where Maryland's remaining lupines grow, the factors responsible for their precipitous decline, and the successful efforts that are being made to save them.
  

  Location: 

  Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117 .

   Directions: from I-695, take exit 20 for MD-140 N toward Garrison.  Take MD140 W/Reisterstown Rd to Greenspring Valley Rd. Turn right onto Greenspring Valley Rd., take a sharp left  onto Garrison Forest Rd.  The Nature Center is on the right.

  There will be refreshments. Pot luck refreshments are always welcome.
  

  The meeting is open to non-members.

  Registration is not required.

  Meetings take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

  For more information, contact Chris Partain: cpartain@gmail.com

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• Workshop: "Vernal Pool Site Design and Restoration Techniques"

  • When
    22 Mar 2012
  •  
    9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Bladensburg, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Anacostia Watershed Society, Lands and Waters and the Virginia Vernal Pools Program (V2P2)

  This workshop will give participants an introduction to vernal pool ecology and restoration and will be divided into two sessions, a classroom presentation and and onsite assessment where participants will visit vernal pools in the Anacostia watershed.

  More Information and RSVP: visit http://www.anacostiaws.org/calendar/vernal-pool-site-design-and-restoration-techniques-workshop.

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• MNPS Monthly Meeting: The Flora of Virginia Project

  • When
    27 Mar 2012
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    Kensington Library, Kensington, MD

  Speaker: Marion Lobstein

  Virginia, for its landmass, has the greatest diversity of vascular plants of any state in the US, with Maryland not far behind. Virginia had the first flora (Flora Virginica) among the original thirteen colonies but has not had a flora published since. A mere 250 years later, the final editing of a modern Flora of Virginia is being completed in early 2012 for publication by Botanical Research Institute of Texas later in 2012. In this program Marion Lobstein, an active member of the Foundation of the Flora of Virginia Project, will describe this exciting project and why the new Flora of Virginia will be important and useful to MNPS members.

  Marion Blois Lobstein is a recently retired Associate Professor of biology at the Manassas Campus of NVCC. Along with Cris Fleming and the late Barbara Tufty, she is a co-author of Finding Wildflowers in the Washington-Baltimore Area. Marion is on the Board of Director of the Foundation of the Flora of Virginia Project, a Fellow of the Virginia Academy of Science, and former Board of the Foundation of the State Arboretum (at Blandy Experimental Farm), and active member of the Virginia Native Plant Society. She is also a member of the Audubon Naturalist Society.

  Location: Kensington Library.

  Directions: From the Washington Beltway (I-495)

  Take Connecticut Avenue north to the third signal after the Beltway. Turn left onto Knowles and go 2 1/2 blocks to the library on the right.

  The meeting is open to non-members.

  Registration is not required.

  Show details
• MNPS Field Trip: Civil War Fort Site: TBA

  • When
    01 Apr 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Washington, DC

  Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

  Civil War Fort Sites in Washington, DC
  
  

  We will return to different forts to explore the upland forests with an emphasis on identifying native oaks using the bark, leaves on the ground, buds and acorns.  

  In 2012, the trips will focus on Oak identification as part of the Society's Year of the Oak.

  Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica

  Directions: TBA

  Bring: Water and lunch.

  Note: Easy to moderate walk. Trip will be cancelled if there is rain. If you have any questions, call Mary Pat in the morning of the walk before 9 am to check to see if walk will go on.

  Contact: Mary Pat Rowan, blair-rowan@starpower.net, 202 526 8821.

  Registration is not required.

  Show details
• Tomorrow's Landscapes: More Birds, Butterflies, and Bees for YOUR Garden

  • When
    14 Apr 2012
  •  
  • Location
    Shenadoah University, Brandt Student Union, Winchester, VA

  Sponsoring Organizations: The Piedmont-Blue Ridge Horticulture Society and Shenandoah University

  Full-day conference.

  The conference speakers are:

  • Doug Tallamy, popular speaker and author of Bringing Nature Home
  • Janet Scott Davis, owner of native perennials nursery, Hill House Nursery, in Rappahanock and designer of sustainable landscapes in Virginia
  • Vincent Simeone, director of Planting Fields Arboretum on Long Island and expert on shrubs and trees that thrive in the mid-Atlantic
  • Jeff Lowenfels, author of Teaming with Microbes about the abundant and largely unknown life in the soil and a very entertaining speaker
  • Jim McCormac is a passionate wildlife expert from Ohio and author of Wild Ohio
  • Stephen Orr, author of Tomorrow’s Garden about how gardeners across the country are looking at landscape in new ways.

  Registration: All registration is in advance of the conference. There will be no registration on that day. Cost for the conference is $99 and includes lunch and drinks. For more information and to register, go to www.tomorrowslandscapes.org and, if questions remain contact Genie Cate at info@pbrhs.org.

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• Conference: Tomorrow’s Landscapes: More Birds, Butterflies, & Bees for YOUR Garden.

  • When
    14 Apr 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Winchester, VA

  Sponsored by: Piedmont-Blue Ridge Horticulture Society and Shenandoah University 

  “Each of these speakers is a national expert, and each is particularly good at presenting ideas that resonate with gardeners today,” said Genie Cate, president of the horticulture society. “We want to provide a comprehensive view of plants, tools, and approaches for developing pollinator- and bird-friendly landscapes appropriate to the mid-Atlantic growing conditions. ”
   
  The conference speakers are:
   
  Doug Tallamy, popular speaker and author of Bringing Nature Home
   
  Janet Scott Davis, owner of native perennials nursery, Hill House Nursery, in Rappahanock and designer of sustainable landscapes in Virginia
   
  Vincent Simeone, director of Planting Fields Arboretum on Long Island and expert on shrubs and trees that thrive in the mid-Atlantic
   
  Jeff Lowenfels, author of Teaming with Microbes about the abundant and largely unknown life in the soil and a very entertaining speaker
   
  Jim McCormac is a passionate wildlife expert from Ohio and author of Wild Ohio
   
  Stephen Orr, author of Tomorrow’s Garden about how gardeners across the country are looking at landscape in new ways. He is also very busy in him current position as garden editor of Martha Stewart Living.
   
  “We are delighted to be working with Shenandoah University’s famous ecologist, Dr. Woody Bousqet, on this project,” said Cate. “Cosponsors have also been so important, from Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the local Audubon chapters to Piedmont Environmental Council and the native plant societies from Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Everybody has pitched in to support this conference and we are thrilled!”
   
  REGISTRATION: All registration is in advance of the conference. There will be no registration on that day. Cost for the conference is $99 and includes lunch and drinks. www.tomorrowslandscapes.org

  CONTACT: Genie Cate at info@pbrhs.org.

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• Native Plant Sale: Adkins Arboretum

  • Start
    14 Apr 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    15 Apr 2012
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Adkins Arboretum, Ridgely, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Adkins Arboretum

  Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm both days

  More Information: www.adkinsarboretum.org

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• Restoration Project: SRWA Red Spruce Plantings

  • When
    15 Apr 2012
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Savage River State Forest, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA)

  Adults are needed to help the Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) plant red spruce plugs along streams in the Savage River State Forest. The goal of these plantings is to maintain conifer cover along native brook trout streams where hemlocks may be killed by the hemlock woolly adelgid, an exotic invasive insect.

  More Information: For more details or to volunteer, contact Ron Boyer, SRWA red spruce planting coordinator, at 301-895-3686 or rbiodiversity@hughes.net.

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• Restoration Project: SRWA Red Spruce Plantings

  • When
    16 Apr 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Savage River State Forest, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA)

  Adults are needed to help the Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) plant red spruce plugs along streams in the Savage River State Forest. The goal of these plantings is to maintain conifer cover along native brook trout streams where hemlocks may be killed by the hemlock woolly adelgid, an exotic invasive insect.

  More Information: For more details or to volunteer, contact Ron Boyer, SRWA red spruce planting coordinator, at 301-895-3686 or rbiodiversity@hughes.net.

  Show details
• MNPS Western Mountains Chapter Meeting: "A Native American Species Becomes a New Fruit Crop"

  • When
    17 Apr 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

  Speaker: R. Neal Peterson, Plant Breeder

  The pawpaw, Asimina triloba, is North America’s largest edible native fruit – not to be confused with the papaya, also known as pawpaw in the tropics. Native in 26 States across most of Eastern North America, the pawpaw is largely forgotten today, but in centuries past it was a common part of the seasonal diet for white settlers and for the native peoples. This talk recounts the pawpaw’s history, biology, early efforts at domestication, and the recent domestication conducted by the speaker that is bringing a distinctively American fruit into the arena of horticulture, not only in America but also in other humid temperate regions of the world.

  His program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

  Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building.

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• SRWA Battling Botanical Bullies

  • When
    19 Apr 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Bear Pen Wildlands, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association

  Adult volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea and garlic mustard in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest. Bear Pen is designated as a Type 1 Wildland and like other natural areas around the State is threatened by a variety of exotic invasive species. Kerrie Kyde, Invasive Plant Specialist with the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service, is providing technical support. Wade Dorsey, Savage River State Forest manager, is providing work tools. Mary Ironside, Big Run & New Germany State Park manager, is providing free camping the night before for any out-of-town volunteers. SRWA is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers.

  To volunteer: please contact Ron Boyer, SRWA invasive species removal coordinator, at 301-895-3686 or rbiodiversity@hughes.net.

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• SRWA Battling Botanical Bullies

  • When
    20 Apr 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Bear Pen Wildlands, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association

  Adult volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea and garlic mustard in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest. Bear Pen is designated as a Type 1 Wildland and like other natural areas around the State is threatened by a variety of exotic invasive species. Kerrie Kyde, Invasive Plant Specialist with the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service, is providing technical support. Wade Dorsey, Savage River State Forest manager, is providing work tools. Mary Ironside, Big Run & New Germany State Park manager, is providing free camping the night before for any out-of-town volunteers. SRWA is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers.

  To volunteer: please contact Ron Boyer, SRWA invasive species removal coordinator, at 301-895-3686 or rbiodiversity@hughes.net.

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• SRWA Native Plant Demonstration and Sale

  • When
    28 Apr 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    New Germany State Park, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA)

  Native plant enthusiasts will answer your questions about native plants, conservation landscaping and backyard wildlife habitat practices. A variety of native plants will be available for purchase.

  All proceeds will benefit the Savage River Watershed Association.

  More information: contact Liz McDowell, SRWA native plant sale coordinator, at 301-895-3686 or lmcdnativeplants@hughes.net.

  Directions: From I-68 take exit 22 and follow signs for New Germany State Park. Turn left into the park onto McAndrews Hill Road. Signs will direct you to the native plant display and sale.

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• PNPS Native Plant Sale

  • When
    05 May 2012
  •  
  • Location
    Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center near Petersburg, PA

  Sponsoring Organizations: Pennsylvania Native Plant Society and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

  Native plants, wildflower walks, nature programs and more!

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• MNPS Field Trip: Civil War Fort Site: TBA

  • When
    06 May 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Washington, DC

  Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

  Civil War Fort Sites in Washington, DC
  
  

  We will return to different forts to explore the upland forests with an emphasis on identifying native oaks using the bark, leaves on the ground, buds and acorns.  

  In 2012, the trips will focus on Oak identification as part of the Society's Year of the Oak.

  Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica

  Directions: TBA

  Bring: Water and lunch.

  Note: Easy to moderate walk. Trip will be cancelled if there is rain. If you have any questions, call Mary Pat in the morning of the walk before 9 am to check to see if walk will go on.

  Contact: Mary Pat Rowan, blair-rowan@starpower.net, 202 526 8821.

  Registration is not required.

  Show details
• Native Plant Fest and Sale: MAEScapes and Penn State Master Gardeners

  • When
    19 May 2012
  •  
  • Location
    York, PA

  Sponsoring Organizations: Penn State Master Gardeners and MAEscapes (MidAtlantic Ecological Landscaping)

  This year the selection is better than ever with the opportunity to buy direct from native plant growers from around the region offering a large selection of native plants, trees and shrubs suited for our area, including many hard-to-find plants, at reasonable prices.

  Master Gardeners and MAEscapes experts will be on hand to answer your questions and help with plant selection.

  During the Fest you can also tour the MAEscapes gardens, visit educational displays and shop for books, tools, stepping stones and garden gifts. The Fest will be held rain or shine. Come early for the best selection. Proceeds benefit MAEscapes gardens and education programs.

  The Plant sale begins at 9:00 am; the seminars and tours begin at 8:00 am.

  About MAEScapes -MAEscapes (Mid-Atlantic Ecological Landscapes) was formed by Penn State Cooperative Extension and York County Conservation District to demonstrate ecological landscaping. The habitats created at the MAEscapes demonstration gardens encourage diversity of native wildlife and have the additional benefits of lower cost and less maintenance.

  Location: York County Annex/Penn State Extension, 112 Pleasant Acres Rd, York, PA 17402.

  More Information: Contact Connie Schmotzer, Consumer Horticulture Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension, 717-840-7408, cxs51@psu.edu. Speaker information will be posted on: www.maescapes.org.

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• SRWA Garden Tour and Native Plant Sale

  • When
    19 May 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Elk Ridge Native Plant Preserve, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA)

  Tour this wildlife habitat garden to see a variety of conservation landscaping and wildlife habitat practices you can use to enhance biodiversity around your home, school, or office. Experience the joys of conservation landscaping: a garden filled with bees, birds, butterflies and beautiful plants.

  Free guided tours at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

  A variety of native plants will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Savage River Watershed Association.

  More Information: contact Liz McDowell, SRWA native plant sale coordinator, at 301-895-3686 or lmcdnativeplants@hughes.net.

  Directions: From the entrance to New Germany State Park, turn left into park onto McAndrews Hill Road and travel 2 miles to stop sign at Westernport Road. Turn right and travel .25 mile to Red Hill Road. Turn right and drive .5 mile to Elk Ridge Lane. Turn left onto private Elk Ridge Lane and drive .3 miles.

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• MNPS Field Trip: Oaks of Sugarloaf Mountain

  • When
    02 Jun 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Sugarloaf Mountain
  • Spaces left
    24
  • Registered
    1 attendee

  Register

  We will hike to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at a leisurely pace. We will see and learn about several oak species, including chestnut, red, black, white and blackjack. Mountain laurel and several early summer wildflowers will also be in bloom along the route.
  

  Field Trip Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley

  Online Registration is required. Please register by May 31st. Trip limited to 25 participants.

  Directions: Meet at the West View parking lot on Sugarloaf Mountain.

  From the Washington Beltway (I495) Take 270 past Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Boyds/Clarksburg. Take the Route 109 exit—Barnesville/Hyattstown (exit 22 but the numbering skips). Go south (right) on 109 for three miles to the intersection of Comus Road, just after the Comus Inn. Turn right on Comus Road (west) and drive just under 2 ½ miles to the base of Sugarloaf. Turn right at the mountain base (not the hard right down the dirt road), drive through the open mountain gate and up the winding mountain road past East View and all the way to the West View parking lot (the end of the road). There is a right-hand fork that you take toward the end of the road. We will meet at the wooden shelter near the portapotties. 

  Contact: Melanie Choukas-Bradley mcb@melaniechoukas-bradley.com. Cell: 301-502-7410

  Bring: Light lunch/snack and water. Binoculars, hand lens, field guides, optional. 

  Notes: Dress for the weather keeping in mind that the summit of Sugarloaf is about 3 degrees cooler and often windier than Baltimore and Washington.

  Cancellation Policy:  We will go in light rain. We will cancel only if conditions are dangerous or miserable such as heavy steady rain or probability of thunderstorms.

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• Society for Economic Botany 53rd Annual Meeting: "Ethnobotany of Mountain Cultures"

  • Start
    03 Jun 2012
  •  
  • End
    07 Jun 2012
  • Location
    Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD

  ABSTRACTS and ANNUAL MEETING

  The Society for Economic Botany is now accepting abstracts for the 53rd Annual Meeting, "Ethnobotany of Mountain Cultures," which will take place June 3-7, 2012 in Frostburg, Maryland, USA. This is going to be a fantastic meeting organized by Frostburg State University and Allegany College of Maryland. To read more about the field trips, meeting, and entertainment we have planned, please visit: http://www.econbot.org/_organization_/index.php?sm=07|meetings_by_year/2012

  Submit your abstract before the deadline of April 1, 2012. See http://www.econbot.org/_organization_/07_annual_meetings/abstract_submission/.

  The Society for Economic Botany ‘s mission is: To foster and encourage scientific research, education, and related activities on the past, present, and future uses of plants, and the relationship between plants and people, and to make the results of such research available to the scientific community and the general public through meetings and publications.

  Please submit abstracts related to botanical research. Special symposium are organized around the themes of natural resource management, rare, threatened and endangered species, non-timber forest products, medicinal botany, and other areas.

  More Information:

  For additional information contact seb@frostburg.edu. We look forward to your participation.

  Sunshine L. Brosi, PhD
  Assistant Professor, Biology
  Frostburg State University
  101 Braddock Road
  Frostburg, MD 21532
  301-687-4213
  slbrosi@frostburg.edu

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• MNPS Western Mountains Chapter Meeting

  • When
    19 Jun 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

  Speaker: Donna Ford-Werntz, Herbarium Curator, West Virginia University

  The program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

  Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building.

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• Wildflower Identification for Beginners

  • When
    20 Jul 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Elk Ridge Native Plant Preserve, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA)

  Interested in knowing the names of the wonderful wildflowers you encounter in forest and field? Then take this class where you’ll learn to actually “key-out” local plants using the popular Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide.

  This hands-on, two-part class is being offered on consecutive Fridays: July 20 and July 27, 2012.

  Note: Limited to six persons; recommended for teens and adults; the total cost is $50; and pre-registration is required. All proceeds benefit the Savage River Watershed Association.

  More Information and Registration: contact Liz McDowell, SRWA native plant specialist, at 301-895-3686 or lmcdnativeplants@hughes.net.

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• MNPS Western Mountains Chapter Meeting

  • When
    21 Aug 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

  Speaker: Stephen Keller, Assistant Professor Appalachian Lab

  Program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

  Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building.

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• Native Plant Sale: Adkins Arboretum

  • Start
    15 Sep 2012
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    16 Sep 2012
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Adkins Arboretum, Ridgely, MD

  Sponsoring Organization: Adkins Arboretum

  Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm both days

  More Information: www.adkinsarboretum.org

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• MNPS Annual Fall Conference: Restoring and Preserving Biodiversity in Developed Landscapes

  • Start
    29 Sep 2012
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    30 Sep 2012
  •  
    6:00 PM
  • Location
    Towson University, Baltimore, MD
  • Spaces left
    175

  MNPS Annual Fall Conference 2012

  Restoring and Preserving Biodiversity in Developed Landscapes

   

  On-line Registration is Not Yet Ready.

  We're in the beginning planning stages and the site will be updated as new information is confirmed.

  Field Trips

  Afternoon and Sunday Field Trips will be important venues to expand on the theme.

  Location

  Towson Univeristy
  Baltimore, MD

  Presentations

  Directions

  More Information:

  • Agenda (To Be Determined)
  • Native Treasures

  Volunteer!

  Join the Conference Committee in planning the event, coordinating the field trips, food, Native Treasures, publicity or other necessary tasks. Contact Karyn Molines at mnps@chesapeake.net

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• MNPS Western Mountains Chapter Meeting

  • When
    16 Oct 2012
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Appalachian Laboratory, Frostburg, MD

  Program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

  Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building.

  Show details