Diverse Landscapes of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

Event Co-Hosts: University of Maryland Extension Maryland Native Plants Program and University of Maryland School of Landscape Architecture

      

Agenda for September 12 and 13

Location: University of Maryland, College Park

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

7:45 - 8:45 AM Check-in and continental breakfast

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sponsor tables (indoors) (see sponsor details) 

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Plant sale by Maryland certified native plant nurseries, plus other booths (Hornbake Plaza, open to the public) (see sale booth details)

Morning Session

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8:45 - 9:00 AM Welcome and logistics

9:00 - 10:00 AM Soldiers Delight's Serpentine Barrens: Restoration of a Globally Rare Ecosystem with Amazing Plants. Paula Becker (Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

10:00 - 11:00 AM The Toxic Truth About Neonic Pesticides: Threats to Pollinators, Natural Ecosystems, and Our Health. Dan Raichel, Maya Korb (Natural Resources Defense Council)

11:00 - 11:15 AM Break

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Restoring Vernal Pools and Preserving Their Fragile Habitats. Michael Hayslett (Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC)

12:15 - 12:20 PM Announcements

Afternoon Session

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12:20 - 1:00 PM Bag lunch pick-up        

1:40 - 1:45 PM Field trip meet-up

1:45 - 2:00 PM Departure and driving to field trips (all locations within ½ hour drive)

2:00 - 5:00 PM Field trip or workshop  Sign-ups available after field trips finalized. 

Workshop options:

1. Asteraceae Identification. Clare Walker, Ph.D.
2.  Native Plants, Healthy Gardens: Mid-Atlantic Beauty at Home, Design workshop. Ann English and David Myers, Ph.D. (UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture)
3. Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel, Ph.D. (UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, UMD Herbarium)
4. Sketching Asters – Draw One to Know One, Botanical drawing. Jen Brown
5. The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill (Perennial Nutritional Therapy)

5:15 - 6:30 PM Poster session and reception

Evening Session (extra cost during registration)

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6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner buffet

6:55 - 7:00 PM Announcement of poster awards

7:00 - 8:00 PM Conservation of Maryland’s Native Orchids. Melissa McCormick, Ph.D. (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)

8:00 – 8:05 PM Closing remarks and information about Day 2

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Various times Field trips at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore.  Sign-ups available after field trips finalized