Field Trips

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.

  Show details
• 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

  Show details
• 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.

  Show details
• 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

  Show details
• 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.

  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
• 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
• 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.

  Show details
• 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.

  Show details