Field Trips
Field trip schedules are included in Native News, which is mailed bi-monthly to all members. If you know about an event that didn't get in there or if you need to update trip information, send e-mail to info @ mdflora.org.
We are starting to create lists of plants observed at various field trip sites. You can download and print them and take them with you. The number of lists will grow steadily, so be patient if you don't see one for your site now. You can find them at Field Trip Plant Lists.
Volunteers are needed to help create these plant lists. See our Volunteer page for more information.
Calendar
Field Trips
Civil War Fort Sites in the DC Region
Join this remarkable series of walks and participate in the plant survey of these Civil War sites.
Civil War Fort trips and plant surveys are sponsored by the Washington DC Chapter. See the chapter page for information about threats to these areas.
More info: See a very good interactive map of the entire circle of DC forts.
Civil War Fort Sites: Fort Dupont Connector
(83rd in the Series)
Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
We will return to a familiar spot on the Fort Dupont Connector but investigate the area east of Branch Avenue which we have never visited before. This spot is located south of Fort Dupont. It will be an exercise in plant identification as well as geology guesswork.
Directions: Take Pennsylvania Ave SE to Branch Ave SE and turn south (right turn from the city) on Branch. The first street on your right is Park Dr. Turn right on Park and park on the street there about where 32nd Pl comes into Park Dr.
Bring: Water and lunch.
Note: Easy to moderate walk. If rain threatens, call by 7:30 am for confirmation of walk.
Contact: Mary Pat Rowan, blair-rowan @ starpower.net or 202-526-8821.
Please Note: No Civil War Fort Field Trips are scheduled for July or August but they will resume in September.
Summer Solstice Walk at Chapman Forest South, Charles County
Leaders: Rod Simmons and Jim Long
Date: Saturday June 20, 2009
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm or later
The south tributary of Chapman Forest South is a pristine, spring-fed stream that begins as a series of Magnolia Bogs and seeps and flows through steep, forested ravines to Mattawoman Creek. We will walk along the floodplain of this stream from near its convergence with Mattawoman Creek upstream to a large series of wet meadows formed by beaver dams. This is a wild and pristine area with a great diversity of wildlife (migratory fish spawn in the stream and evidence of bobcat has been observed, among many others). In addition to discovering new things, we should see the state-rare Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua) and Camphorweed (Pluchea camphorata); extensive fern belts and clubmoss colonies and many species of ferns, including Adder's Tongue; numerous wildflowers and species of Carex; and a diversity of trees and shrubs. Most of the vegetation here is typical of the Coastal Plain, but some of the stream passes through beds of calcareous marine sands and marl, which give rise to a distinctive flora with montane elements.
Trip is jointly sponsored by MNPS, VNPS, and the Botanical Society of Washington.
Directions: From the Capital Beltway (495), take Indian Head Highway (Rte 210) south approximately 22 miles to the Rt. 227 intersection at Bryans Road (at the intersection and not surprisingly, a McDonald's and Burger King will be on your right and a builders supply will be on left - don't take PG County versions of Livingston Road many miles before this intersection!). Turn left at Rte 227 and proceed south for approximately 3-4 miles. Slow down as road begins to descend down big hill to Mattawoman Creek (Lamont's will be on left about here) and be prepared to turn right just after stream crossing at Buteaux Crossing and before abandoned railroad tracks. Parking area will be on right at railroad tracks. We'll meet in parking lot.
Bring: Lunch, water, and good shoes.
Note: Moderate though lengthy walk on fairly level ground. Some wet ground or occasional very shallow stream crossing may be encountered. Afterwards, a group of us will meet at Chinese restaurant in Bryans Road shopping center for dinner.
Contact: Rod, cecropia13@msn.com.
Ferns on the Gunpowder - Gunpowder State Park - Kingsville (Perry Hall) Area
Leader: Dwight Johnson
Date: Sunday, June 21, 2009
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Learn about common and some less than common ferns along the Gunpowder River between Kingsville and Perry Hall. We should see more than twenty species. We will explore two different paths, each about one mile long. Both paths will be flat easy walking.
Directions: We will meet at the large parking lot on the east side of US Rte 1 (Belair Rd) at the Gunpowder River 5.4 miles north of Interstate 695 (Baltimore Beltway) Exit 32.
Bring: Lunch and water.
Contact: Dwight 410-366-7239 or dwightmjohnson@comcast.net.
Native Plants & Pollinators at Brookside Nature Center
Leader: Brady Hartley
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
Celebrate Pollinator Week (June 22-28) all summer long in this series. Each month, we'll see what native flowers are in bloom in the meadow, woods and gardens around the nature center, and learn about the insects that depend on them. The program is also offered on July 23 (6:00 - 7:00 pm) and August 23 (10:30 am - 11:30 am). This series is open to all ages, and children are encouraged to attend!
Directions: From Georgia Ave heading north, take a right on to Randolph Road. Go to the second stoplight and turn right on Glenallan Ave. Pass the gated entrances to the gardens and look for the ungated entrance to the nature center on the right at 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902. Turn right into the parking lot where the group will meet.
Bring: The nature center has a picnic area if you would like to bring lunch.
Note: The center is open to the public from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. Restrooms will be available for program participants.
Contact: Register for this free program at www.parkpass.org (starting May 15), or call Brookside Nature Center at 301-946-9071. For more information, contact Brady Hartley at brady.hartley@montgomeryparks.org or 301-625-7207.
© Maryland Native Plant Society. Last updated: June 1, 2009.