Maryland Native Plant Society

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:15 - 4:00pm

Leader: Melanie Parker

Walking: Gardens: EASY; Natural areas: EASY, although a longer walk

Theme Area: GARDENS; PROFESSIONAL design and management

Description: Two large constructed bog gardens, well-established and very beautiful, wick water away from the building and sensitive areas. Participants will also see some of the surrounding Coastal Plain forest and Severn River estuary, including Atlantic white cedar habitat.

Directions:

More information about Arlington Echo: Not usually open to the public; used exclusively for public school outdoor education.
Atlantic White Cedar Restoration at Arlington Echo

Information about bogs:
Bog Information
The Coastal Plain Bogs of the Magothy Soil Formation Belt of Anne Arundel County (PDF)

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30pm (3rd stop, stay as long as you like)

Leader: Zolna Russell

Walking: EASY

Theme Area: GARDENS; PROFESSIONAL design

Description:

• 2 home gardens - one designed by Landscape Architect Zolna Russell and one by her neighbor, together forming large planted areas
• See photos below
• Self-Guided tour of native plants at the Mt. Washington Arboretum

Directions: will be handed out at conference.

Photos:

Date/Time: Sunday, 1:00 - 4:00pm

Leader: Ann Lundy

Walking: EASY-MODERATE – not handicapped accessible

Note: Limited to 15 participants.

Theme Area: GARDENS; PROFESSIONAL design

Description: 2 home gardens (different from Saturday section), then proceed to Mt. Washington Arboretum.

• Garden of Conference Co-Chair and Landscape Designer Ann Lundy, discussion of design principles, native plants, city gardens
• Homeowner garden
• Mt. Washington Arboretum – labeled native plant cultivars

Directions: will be handed out at conference.

Other opportunities to see these gardens: Look for this MNPS field trip again in Summer 2006 (see MNPS Calendar page or your Native News).

More information about Mt. Washington Arboretum: Mt. Washington Arboretum is open to the public. Visit their website, http://www.miniarboretum.org/.

Other opportunities to visit Mt. Washington Arboretum: see their Events page.

Photos: See photos on the Mt. Washington Arboretum web site.

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 5:30pm

Leader: Anne Draddy

Experience Level: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

Walking: Stony Run: EASY; Druid Hill Park: MODERATE

Note: Bike ride possible (using park-owned bikes) along back roads, at end of walk.

Stony Run

Druid Hill Park

Bring: WATER BOTTLE.

Directions: Take I-83 south and exit west onto I-695 (this will be both I-83 and I-695). Stay in the right lane and exit onto I-83 South (again). Take Exit 7 toward Baltimore Zoo onto Druid Park Lake Drive. Make first right into the park (just past reservoir) onto Swann Drive. Bear right at stop sign (statue of Christopher Columbus) and again at the second stop sign (keeping the Reservoir on your right). Take next left on to Shop Road. Pass Safety City and stay right at split (keeping ball fields on your right). Follow to end and park. Tour begins there!

Photos: Volunteers removing vines in the Oak Loop

Leader: Jeff Wolinsky

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 6:30pm

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE

Walking: MODERATE

Theme Area: VOLUNTEER component (INVASIVES); PROFESSIONAL Land Management, including machine removal of INVASIVES

Description: Restoration Work and Invasive Plant Management

• Detailed plant community profiles and integration into the master planning and restoration process.
• Control of exotic invasive plant species: Johnson grass, Canada thistle, multiflora rose, Ailanthus, Asiatic tearthumb, and many others!
• Initial site visit to private restoration site near existing Irvine Nature Center where former exotic-dominated hedgerows and fields have been converted to native grass and wildflower meadows with wetland components.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE

More information: Not yet open to the public.
More information about Irvine's move to Caves Valley
New Site Update: Habitat Enhancement at Caves Valley
Irvine's Land: Headwaters of the Jones Falls

Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 - 4:30pm

Leader: Charlie Davis

Note: Field Ecology Research Field Trip. Limited to 15 participants.

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Walking: MODERATE. Footwear suitable for shallow wetlands not required but desirable.

Theme Area: PROFESSIONAL (master planning)

Description:

• Field Ecology Research: Discussion of the natural resources inventory and plant and animal database system created to keep track of flora and fauna and their dominance within various habitats. Over 450 species of plants have been catalogued.
• Visit various plant communities including Mixed-oak, Yellow poplar, Wet Woodland, Hedgerow, recovering Wetlands

Directions: Take I-83 South to I-695 (west towards Pikesville). Take Exit 19 onto I-795 North. Take Exit 4 onto Owings Mills Blvd (east towards Reisterstown road). Stay on Owings Mills Blvd., (pass Reisterstown Road & Volunteer Fire Station). Turn RIGHT onto Crondall Lane. Turn RIGHT onto Garrison Forest Road. The Nature Center's property is on the left - Turn left onto the dirt road, just past Irvine's green sign. Alternative (if it is wet & muddy): from Garrison Forest Rd., turn RIGHT into the Ruxton Country School. Park in the Ruxton School’s outer, gravel lot closest to the Garrison Forest Road.

Note: Not yet open to the public.

More information: Irvine Nature Center's Web Site: www.explorenature.org. More information about surveys and inventories of plants and animals at Caves Valley.

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 4:30pm

Leader: Glenda Weber

Experience Level: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

Theme Area: GARDENS; VOLUNTEER component (INVASIVES)

Walking: Gardens – EASY; Woodland Trails – EASY

Description:

• Native plant gardens with ID labels
• Forested steep hillsides – natives; note invasiveness of Norway maple, Chinese wisteria, English ivy and others from ornamental plantings
• See results of non-native plant removal and ensuing development and maintenance of sites

Bring: WATER BOTTLE

Directions: Take I-83 south to the Baltimore Beltway, I-695. Take the second exit, Exit 23 south, onto I-83 south (Jones Falls Expressway). Exit at Northern Parkway and go west (right). Move to left lane and turn left (south) onto Greenspring Ave; turn left again at stone gate, 4915 Greenspring Avenue; park along entrance (you will see other cars parked there); meet on front porch of mansion.

More information about Cylburn: Cylburn Arboretum Association

Other opportunities to visit:

• See Cylburn Arboretum Association Events page. Guided garden walks focusing on seasonal features 2nd Saturday of each month beginning at 12:15 pm. Call 410-367-2217 for more information. Call 410-396-7839 to arrange a group visit. Grounds are open dawn to dusk year-round, 365 days/year. Mansion is open 7:30 AM-3:30 PM Monday thru Friday and selected open house weekends.
• Baltimore Bird Club: SELF-GUIDED WALK. Easy birding on the Mansion grounds. No designated leader. See Baltimore Bird Club Activities page for schedule. Coordinator: Joe Lewandowski, 410-358-7834 or ilenel@juno.com.

Date/Time: Sunday, Time TBD

Leader: Dwight Johnson

Experience Level: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

Walking: DIFFICULT: 4 miles, some steep and very rocky sections.

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description: 4-mile nature and exercise hike along the Gunpowder from Masemore Road to Prettyboy Dam. We will stop for anything that is interesting. We should find a good variety of ferns and some wildflowers still in bloom.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE, LUNCH

Directions: From the Baltimore Beltway, go north on I-83 for 12 miles and take exit 27 onto Mount Carmel Road. Proceed west for 0.7 miles and make a right at Masemore Road and proceed for another 1.5 miles to parking area. The speed limit is posted at 10 mph at the bottom of Masemore Rd. Believe it. There is a very sharp narrow turn at the mill.

More Information: See:
Gunpowder Falls State Park (from MD Dept. of Natural Resources)
Gunpowder Falls State Park Hereford Area Trail Guide

Other Opportunities to visit this area:

• MNPS Field Trips: Dwight Johnson and Joe Metzger lead MNPS field trips here several times a year – check the Calendar page at the MNPS Web Site for future trips.
• Self-guided trail guide to Hereford Area: Hereford Area Trail Guide
• Sierra Club: Sunday, December 18, 2005. Energetic 10 mile hike, strenuous due to pace. Hike along the Gunpowder and through rolling woods. Enjoy the sparkle of some of the cleanest water around as it winds around and over rocks. Bring lunch, water and a ready spirit. Depart at 9:00 from Long Gate Parkway park & ride, off Rt. 100, just east of Rt. 29 (Howard County). Contact Mary Starr, 410-889-6323, starrways@cs.com.

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 6:00pm

Leader: Sue Muller

Experience Level: BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE

Walking: Font Hill Park: EASY; Schools and Streams: MODERATE to DIFFICULT (one steep hill; paths may not have been mowed recently; USE TICK PROTECTION)

Theme Area: Font Hill: PROFESSIONAL wetland mitigation, INVASIVES control; Schools and Streams: VOLUNTEER component (Riparian buffer planted by 5th grade students supervised by Master Gardener volunteers)); PROFESSIONAL INVASIVES control.

Description:

Bring: WATER BOTTLE. No restrooms or water at either site.

Directions: US 29 to Exit 25 (US 40 West). Go about 2 miles, turn left on Centennial Lane, first left onto Old Frederick Rd., 2nd right onto Font Hill Drive, cross Carrigan Dr. (1st intersection), park on right side of Font Hill Drive between Carrigan and Grosvenor, or on Grosvenor.

More information about Font Hill Wetlands Park:
Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks Other Environmental Areas
Font Hill Wetlands Park (PDF)

Schools and Streams - More information about grant:
Chesapeake Bay Trust Model Grants

Other opportunities to visit Font Hill Park: open to public sunrise to sunset. (Schools and Streams site is not open to public.) Look for an evening talk on these projects early in 2006 (check MNPS Calendar page or your Native News).

Photos:

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 4:30pm

Leader: Rob Mardiney

Experience Level: BEGINNER only

Walking: MODERATE

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description:

• Introduction to both native and exotic plants: typical piedmont plant communities (upland forest, meadow, streamside)
• Relationships between plants and wildlife

Bring: WATER BOTTLE

Directions: I-83 south to I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) west towards Pikesville. 1st exit (# 22) onto Greenspring Ave. North (right at end of ramp). Go about 1 mile, turn left into Nature Center (on grounds of St. Timothy's School). Meet the leader in the parking area on the left of the driveway.

Other opportunities to visit: open Monday – Saturday, 9:00am - 4:00pm; Sunday, Noon - 4:00pm.

More information: visit the Web site at www.explorenature.org.

Date/Time: Sunday, 1:00 - 4:00pm

Leader: Bob Stanhope

Experience Level: BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

Walking: EASY; Canoe trip: EASY

Note: Limited to 22 participants

Fee: $5.00 per person to maintain canoes and equipment

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description:

• Canoe trip on beautiful Dundee Creek freshwater/tidal estuary
• 1/2-mile walk through coastal plain forest to get to the creek at Iron Point

Bring: WATER BOTTLE, LUNCH

Directions: From I-695 or I-95 get onto MD 43, Whitemarsh Blvd. and go east to its end at US 40. Turn right at the end of the ramp and go 1/2 mi. to the first light. Turn right onto Ebenezer Rd. Proceed about. 3 mi. and turn right onto Earls Rd. Follow Earls to the end at Eastern Ave. Turn left and proceed 1 mi. to Marshy Point Rd. on your right. Follow the signs to Marshy Point Nature Center.

More information: Website (minimal information): Marshy Point Nature Center

Other opportunities to visit:

• Marshy Point Calendar of Events
• Baltimore Bird Club: Sunday, February 12, 2006, 9:00 a.m. HALF-DAY TRIP. For winter waterfowl, raptors, passerines. Half-mile trail leads to point overlooking Dundee Creek. Boots advisable, telescopes useful. Co-leaders: Debbie Terry, 410-252-8771 or gt5s@bcpl.net, and Mary Byers, 410-686-7924.

Mt. Pleasant Section 1

Mt. Pleasant Section 2

More information about Mt. Pleasant: 410-465-8877, www.hcconservancy.org

Many programs offered by BioTrek Naturalists: BioTrek Fall Schedule (PDF)

Sierra Club (Howard County): Saturday October 22, Fall Social. 12:00-3:30, see Sierra Club, Howard County Group

Date/Time: Sunday, 10:30am - 2:30pm

Leaders: Dick Smith and Karyn Molines

Experience Level: Native Plants: BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE. Insects: INTERMEDIATE

Walking: EASY, but participants who wish to inspect densely vegetated and wetland areas along the trails should dress accordingly (long pants and waterproof footwear). Most trails are not paved or mowed, but grass will be short along them. USE TICK PROTECTION, SUNBLOCK, AND MOSQUITO SPRAY (although buggy areas will be avoided).

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description: Depending on participants' interests, group may divide into two for part of the trip:

• one emphasizing butterflies: woods-edge, open field, marsh-side, and bay shoreline areas will be investigated for resident, southern immigrant, and migrating butterfly species. Native plants important to butterfly life history will be identified and discussed.
• one going into Black Marsh to look at native marsh plant and waterfowl.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE, LUNCH

Directions:

• From north or east of Baltimore: take Baltimore Beltway (I-695) South towards Essex/Key Bridge. Take Exit 42 (151 Sparrows Point/North Point Boulevard), and bear right onto 151 South to first light. Make left onto North Point Road (Route 20). Follow through Edgemere for 1.9 miles to North Point State Park on left.
• From south or west of Baltimore: Take Baltimore Beltway 695 North towards Glen Burnie/Key Bridge. Follow I-695 over Key Bridge to Exit 43 (Bethlehem Boulevard/Sparrows Point). Get off at Exit 43 and make left at first blinking light (Bethlehem Boulevard). Follow Bethlehem Boulevard/158 East for one mile to North Point Boulevard. Cross over North Point Boulevard onto North Point Road (Route 20) towards Fort Howard. Follow Route 20 through Edgemere for 1.9 miles to park on left.

Meet at main parking lot just inside main gate. We will carpool from this point.

Note: ENTRANCE FEE $3.00 per in-state car ($5.00 for out-of-state)

Other opportunities to visit North Point State Park: The butterfly habitat portion of this field trip will be repeated Summer 2006. Check MNPS Calendar Page or see your Native News.

More information about North Point State Park: North Point State Park

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:00 - 5:00pm

Leader: Charlie Davis

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE

Walking: DIFFICULT, some steep terrain, some off-trail investigating, trails may be slippery if wet. BRING WATER.

Note: Limited to 15 participants.

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description:

• Introduction to native plant communities
• Diverse Piedmont habitats including Mixed Oak Forest, Yellow Poplar Forest, Right-of-way with mixed native and exotic plants
• Factors that have effected the structure and species composition of the plant communities
• A list of vascular plants of the Park was published in The Maryland Naturalist,vol. 43; 1999. Copies will be available for sale.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE

More information about Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center: See:
Oregon Ridge Nature Center Web Site
Phone: 410 887-1815
County Parks and Facilities
County Parks, Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Other opportunities to visit Oregon Ridge: http://www.oregonridge.org/Calendar.pdf
The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Trail maps are available at the Nature Center.
The Honey Festival at Oregon Ridge Park will take place the same weekend as our conference.
The Worthley Botany 'class' meets at the Nature Center periodically.

Date/Time: Saturday, Time TBA

Leader: Rob Bailey

Experience Level: Primarily for BEGINNERS. May be of interest to others who want to get to know this park.

Walking: DIFFICULT (some steep, slippery, wet or rocky areas)

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description: Naturalist's hike. Emphasis on plant/wildlife relationships.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE

Directions: Take I-83 South to I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) towards Pikesville. Continue to Exit 11, I-95 South. Exit onto I-195 towards BWI. Take the first exit onto US 1 South. Immediately turn right onto South St. Immediately turn left into the park. Go 2 miles (stopping to pay entrance fee) to a T intersection. Meeting place TBA.

Other opportunities to visit PVSP:

• Scenic Hike Patapsco Valley State Park, 10/8/05, repeated 10/22/05, 10 - 11:30 a.m. A casual hike with stops to absorb nature and the history of the area. Meet at the Avalon Visitor Center. Pre-registration required. Call 410-737-0451 for more information. Free.
• Nature Program: Become Unplugged, 10/22/2005, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Leave the internet and cell phones behind - feel the wind on your face and hear the crackle of leaves under your feet. A brisk morning walk will be followed by the making of "fence post pumpkins." Meet at Glen Artney shelter #10 (same park entrance as Avalon). Pre-registration required. Limited to 20 participants. Call 410-737-0451 for more information. Cost: $2 per person
• Owl Prowl Patapsco Valley State Park, 10/15/2005, repeated 10/28/2005, 8 - 10 p.m. Join Naturalists for a night hike to listen for local owls, followed by a program featuring the owls from our Scales & Tales program. Pre-registration required. Call 410-737-0451 for more information. Cost: $5 per person.

Get to know another area of PVSP, the McKeldin Area in far western Baltimore County:

• Escape the City Hike, 10/23/2005, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Reconnect with nature and escape the daily doldrums of city life. Join a Naturalist on this moderately strenuous hike of the beautiful riverside Switchback Trail. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended. Bring water, hat & sunscreen. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Call 410-963-1447 for more information. Cost: Free, donations welcome. Directions: From I-695/I-70 West: Take I-70 to Marriottsville Road (Exit 83). Go north on Marriottsville Road for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right.

More information about Patapsco Valley State Park:
Patapsco Valley State Park
PVSP, Avalon, Hilton, Glen Artney, and Orange Grove Areas Trail Guides

Date/Time: Sunday, 10:30am - 3:00pm

Leaders: John Parrish and RG Steinman

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Walking: MODERATE – less than 3 miles

Note: Limited to 13 participants.

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description: The only official "Wildlands" designated in the Maryland Piedmont - large forest straddling the county line which sustains many forest-interior species. We will traverse through a diversity of habitats including a rich floodplain forest and mature acidic upland oak forest. Our walk will feature a broad diversity of ferns and lycopods. We will see a good diversity of evergreen trees including Canadian Hemlock, White Pine, Pitch Pine, Virginia Pine, American Holly, and Red Cedar. Several members of the Pyrola Family (3 evergreen) find refuge here including Pipsissewa, Spotted Wintergreen, Shinleaf, Round-leaf Pyrola, Indian Pipe, and Pinesap. At least 8 orchids and several rare wildflowers are found here as well. Although none will be in bloom, we can identify these uncommon plants by their foliage. Nut-bearing American Chestnuts and members of the Heath Family such as blueberries, deerberry, azalea, laurel, trailing arbutus, and huckleberry are found in the acidic upland communities.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE, LUNCH

Directions: From I-70 go south on MD 97 for 7 to 8 miles. Go west (right) on MD 650 for 5 miles. Go right on Hipsley Mill Rd. for just over one mile. Cross bridge at county line and park on right in gravel lot. From I-495 go north on MD 97 or north on MD 650 for 15 miles to Sunshine. Go west on MD 650 for another 5 miles (left turn off MD 97) to Hipsley Mill Rd. Go right on Hipsley Mill, cross bridge, park on right in gravel lot.

Other opportunities to go on this field trip: May be offered again in Spring 2006. Check the MNPS Calendar page or your Native News. Park is open sunrise to sunset. No entrance fee.

Date/Time: Sunday, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Leader: Joe Metzger

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED

Walking: EASY if you stay on the path. Use tick protection if you plan to go off path.

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description: Plant and Insect Field Trip. Help add to a list of plants and insects occurring naturally at Piney Orchard Nature Preserve. Although it is late in the season, we should see late-blooming asters, goldenrods, and bonesets. Depending on weather we may also see butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies and other insects.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE, LUNCH

Directions:

• From Baltimore: take I-295 and exit at MD-175 (Annapolis Rd.) East towards Ft. Meade. Pass MD 32 in Odenton and look for MD 170 (Telegraph Road / Piney Orchard Parkway). Turn right on MD 170. (Continued below.)
• From Washington: Follow signs to Odenton: Take I-295 north to MD-32 East. Then take MD 175 East past MD-32 in Odenton and look for MD-170 (Telegraph Road / Piney Orchard Parkway). Turn right on MD 170.

On Piney Orchard Parkway, pass the Food Lion and Ice Rink. You will go through one traffic circle. Turn left at Sandy Walk Way and then make an immediate right into the parking lot.

Other opportunities to visit Piney Orchard: Open to the public. Look for this MNPS field trip several times a year (check MNPS Calendar page or your Native News).

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 5:00pm

Leader: Dwight Johnson

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE

Walking: MODERATE/DIFFICULT – some bare rock that can be slippery.

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description: Serpentine area, mostly scrub pine with some blackjack and post oak. Rare plants: fameflower, possibly other serpentine endemics, prairie grasses.

Directions: Go south on I-83 and exit west onto I-695 (this will be both I-83 and I-695). Stay in the right lane and exit onto Falls Road exit. Turn left at first light (this will put you on Falls Road south) and proceed for 2.8 miles and turn left onto Copper Hill Road (this is just past a small shopping area). Park in the Home and Hospital School parking lot.

More information about park: City park (protecting Lake Roland, former city reservoir), located just north of city line.

Other opportunities: Limited access during construction.

• Baltimore Bird Club: Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. LAKE ROLAND. Weekly walks to follow the progress of Fall Migration (see Baltimore Bird Club Schedule for dates). Habitats include woods, lake, streams and marsh. This park has an impressive bird list, including songbirds, herons, shorebirds and raptors. Leader: Patsy Perlman 410-466-3998 or pattonyp@juno.com.

Date/Time: Sunday, 2:00 - 4:30pm

Leader: Eileen O'Brien

Experience Level: BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE

Walking: MODERATE

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description:

• Coastal Plain Forest – sandy uplands and steep slopes along the scenic Severn River
• Hike through this ecological complex to the edge of a tidal (draw) marsh and shrub swamp.
• Plants of interest include very large black gum (95” CBH), pitch pine, sweetbay magnolia, swamp azalea, blueberries, chinquapin, mountain laurel, trailing arbutus, wintergreen, lady slipper orchids, sphagnum moss, ebony spleenwort and rattlesnake fern.
• Great wildlife habitat. Osprey, herons, and bald eagles may be seen.

Bring: WATER BOTTLE, snack if desired. No restrooms. Wear sturdy shoes. Muddy creek crossing at one point. Tick protection is always advised. Field guidebooks, binoculars, and hand lenses are welcome on this hike.

Directions: From I-695 south of Baltimore: Take I-97 South to Exit 10A, Benfield Blvd East (Severna Park). Loop back over I-97. Right at light onto Veterans Hwy South. Continue for 2.2 miles (through two lights). Left onto Generals Hwy South (MD Rt. 178) for 1 mile. Left at light onto Indian Landing Road for 1.3 miles. Best to park on LaRue Rd. (on Right). Meet at DNR trailhead on left side of Indian Landing Rd (across from black mailbox # 1013).

Other opportunities to visit: Look for this MNPS field trip again in 2006 (see MNPS Calendar page or your Native News). The Department of Natural Resources has protected more than 1,700 acres as Severn Run Natural Environmental Area. It is open for day use. Visitors are to practice ”Leave No Trace” ethics.

More information on the preservation of the Severn River: visit The Scenic Rivers Land Trust, Inc at www.srlt.org, or the Severn River Association at www.severnriver.org.

Even more information: Eileen will be donating to the MNPS Silent Auction a copy of "Gems of the Severn" by A. Todd Davison and Colby B. Rucker. It is an excellent, 346-page text with extensive information on the flora of the 70-square mile Severn River watershed. The 50 subwatersheds are detailed, including highlights of natural heritage elements, exceptional trees, historical and archeological features, wildlife, geology, soils, and land conservation notes. Printed in 1988 by the Severn River Commission, it is based on field work done in 1986. A very useful book!

Date/Time: Saturday, 2:30 - 6:00pm

Leader: Cris Fleming

Experience Level: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED

Walking: MODERATE (long hike, somewhat steep, but slow pace)

Theme Area: NATURAL AREA

Description:

• Globally rare ecosystem - Serpentine forest, woodland, wetland, and barrens
• Best time of year to see rare fringed gentian

Bring: WATER BOTTLE

Directions to Soldier's Delight Visitor Center: From Beltway (I-695), take I-795 to Franklin Blvd West, turn right. Bear right at Church Road. Turn left at stop sign onto Berrymans Lane. Turn left at Deer Park Road and go 2.5 miles to Visitor Center entrance on right.

More Information about Soldiers Delight: See:
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area
Natural Communities - Serpentine Grasslands
Soldiers Delight NEA Trail Guide
Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barrens (Geology)
Phone: 410-922-3044
Email: park-patapsco@dnr.state.md.us

Other opportunities to visit Soldiers Delight:

• Wildflower Hike: 9/18/2005, 2 - 4 p.m. and 10/16/2005, 10 a.m. - 12 pm Cost: $2 per person
  Description: Soldiers Delight is home to many rare and unique wildflowers. Join us for a guided hike to find some of the botanical wonders of the area. Cameras are encouraged; picking flowers is prohibited. Pre-registration required. Call 410-922-3044 for more information.
• Mine History Hike: 10/30/2005, 2 - 4 p.m. Cost: $2 per person.
  Description: Join a geologist for a fascinating hike of this unique landscape, learning about its mining history as you go. Wear sturdy shoes or boots. Pre-registration required. Call 410-329-3417 for more information.
• Monthly Stargazing: A slide show followed by an easy walk to our stargazing field where we will view the night sky through provided telescopes. Bring a flashlight, jacket, chair and good walking shoes. Pre-registration required. Call 410-922-3044 for more information. Free.

Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 - 5:30pm

Leaders: Homeowners

Walking: Stops #1 and #3: EASY. Stop #2 offers the option for exploration of undeveloped areas, MODERATE to DIFFICULT.

Theme Area: GARDENS; PROFESSIONAL and non-professional design

Stop #1: Home Garden next to park, 1:30pm

• Walled courtyard with beds of mixed native and exotic plants
• Woodland edge planted with 60+ eastern US native species and cultivars

Stop #2: Home of a Windstar Master Wildlife Habitat Naturalist, 3:00pm
17 acres, gardens in 5 acres around the house designed with the goal of restoring wildlife habitat and studying the growing habits of native plants. In addition to the mature native trees and shrubs that were already there, a new garden area is added each year, creating islands which attract wildlife. This property was featured in Natural Home magazine, and on an Outdoors Maryland PBS program about backyard wildlife gardening. A detailed description and views of the property can be found at Visit a Certified Habitat.

Stop #3: MNPS Member Wildlife Habitat Garden, 4:30pm
5000 sq. ft. mostly-native plant garden, in full sun with richly amended soil.  Majority of plants are chosen specifically for their wildlife value. Located in a residential neighborhood, the gardens cannot look too "wild,"  but they do attract a number of creatures, predominantly birds and insects. Field trip highlights include:

• repeating masses of plants
• more than 60' of living hummingbird feeders
• commentary about the wildlife value of hybrids and cultivars
• how to prepare for buying plants at a native plant sale
• discussion of wildlife-friendly weed and insect control (don't expect easy miracles)
• commentary about the problems with the garden (so that those touring them can avoid such problems in their own yards) as well the joys of having these gardens
• opportunity to collect seeds of selected native plants, and possibly actual plants as well (plus hear why Jim gives away native plants every year)
• For those who enjoy plant taxonomy, an opportunity to identify at least 2 mystery plants

Bring: WATER BOTTLE. If you wish to collect seeds, bring zip-lock baggies. Bring plastic grocery bags and paper towels to take home live plants.

Directions: will be handed out at the conference.

Photos:

Date/Time: Sunday, TBA

Leader:

Walking:

Theme Area:

Description: Professional stream restoration featuring bioengineering and removal of invasive plants prior to planting with natives.