Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

MNPS Monthly Program: Plants in Maryland's State Wildlife Action Plan by Mimi Sanford and Gwen Brewer (05/19/2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join us for a presentation about Maryland's 2025-2035 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) by Mimi Sanford (SWAP Coordinator) and Gwenda Brewer (Science Program Manager) from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. SWAP's are wonderful conservation guiding tools used by states. Maryland's third SWAP identifies species of greatest conservation need and the habitats critical to their survival — including coastal plain wetlands, vernal pools, riparian forests, and rare plant communities. The new SWAP includes increased coverage of plant species in the conservation strategy. This talk will explore how plant species were incorporated into this SWAP, as well as the habitats and threats to these species identified during the plan revision process. Priority conservation actions needed to protect and restore species and habitats will also be discussed. This is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the statewide conservation strategy and how local habitat restoration connects to Maryland's broader SWAP goals. We will discuss how the SWAP guides funding, partnership, and on-the-ground conservation — and what role community scientists and restoration volunteers play in advancing its vision. Bring your questions and join the conversation.

Speakers:

Mimi Sanford serves as the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) coordinator in the Natural Heritage Program at the Department of Natural Resources. She has a masters degree in community planning from the University of Maryland and has previously worked in the fields of urban planning, community engagement, and environmental justice. Though not a trained scientist herself, Mimi has enjoyed learning about wildlife conservation on the job and applying skills from previous jobs to the coordination of Maryland's SWAP.

Dr. Gwen Brewer is the Science Program Manager for the Natural Heritage Program in the Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. In this capacity, she supervises statewide staff carrying out monitoring, research, habitat restoration, and conservation planning for rare species, rare plant communities, and nongame animals. Gwen represents the state in several regional bird conservation partnerships and teaches in the Master Naturalist program. She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Ecology from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University. Before coming to the DNR in 2002, Gwen was a professor at Frostburg State University for 11 years, where she taught ecology, ornithology, conservation biology, and tropical ecology and conservation in addition to advising graduate students. She currently serves on the Friends of Jug Bay Board; the Rainforest Trust Advisory Council; and the Women for Conservation Board.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

We can accommodate the first 300 people who enter the Zoom meeting at the meeting time. After you register, you will receive a registration confirmation email with a link to the Zoom meeting. Registering does not guarantee a space in the Zoom meeting.

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

Note that if you donate through the event registration, and subsequently cancel, the donation will temporarily appear as a credit. It will take time for the donation to be reinstituted to your account. Donations and membership dues are non-refundable.

Weed or Wildflower? (05/20/2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

Want to help preserve our regional biodiversity? Then bring your work gloves, kneeling pads, favorite weeding tools, & some elbow grease to remove unwanted plants from the native plant garden. As you work, you’ll learn how to identify common weeds and why protecting native plants is so critical for wildlife. Meet at the native plant garden near the dam. Please bring your own water bottle, insect spray, & sunscreen. In case of rain this activity will be cancelled.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 22 and follow signs for New Germany State Park. Turn left into the park onto McAndrews Hill Road. The program will be held in the native plant garden near parking lot #5.

No registration.

Native Plant Sale: Cub Scout Pack 27 (online ordering through 4/30) (05/30/2026)

Sat, 30 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Online ordering through April 30
Plant pick up on May 31
Cub Scout Pack 275 in Silver Spring, MD is hosting a native plant sale to send members of our rising Webelos and Arrow of Lights Scouts (rising fourth and fifth graders) to a week of resident camp this summer!

Location: YMCA, 9800 Hastings Drive (off Colesville Road), Silver Spring, MD, 20901
Pick Up Date: May 31, 10 am- 4pm
Order online by: April 30
Order Here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/scouts-nativeplants-fundraiser-85317/fundraiser/details

For More Information: info@pack275.com
https://www.pack275.com/

Weed or Wildflower? (06/01/2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

MNPS Field Trip: Suitland Bog (FRIDAY) (06/05/2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Co-Sponsoring Organization: M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.

Leaders: Kim Stringer. Kerry Wixted and Chris Garrett

Location: 5904 Suitland Rd, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20746

Description: Celebrate 50 years of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) managing Suitland Bog Natural Area with a pre-birthday bash hike! We’ll start in the upland area, travel down to the terrace gravel bog to botanize along the boardwalk then will check out a few other areas of botanical interest.

Kim Stringer is a Park Ranger with the Natural and Historical Resources Division M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Kerry Wixted is the vegetation ecologist with the Park Planning and Environmental Stewardship Division, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Chris Garrett is the Natural Surface Trails Supervisor with the Natural and Historical Resources Division M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County.

For additional information: Please reach out to Kerry Wixted at Kerry.wixted@pgparks.com or 240-716-8389.

FREE EVENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Registration Deadline: 6/3

Bring: Please bring whatever you need for a walk in the woods! This means good shoes, water, lunch, and snacks. Bring a hand lens if you have one, as well as your favorite identification resources.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time.

MNPS Field Trip: Sedges (Carex) of the Chapman State Park (Saturday) (06/06/2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Leaders: Rod Simmons and Jorge Bogantes Montero

Location: Chapman State Park, 3452 Ferry Pl, Indian Head, MD 20640. Limited parking is available so we encourage carpooling.

Description: Join MNPS board members, Rod Simmons (plant ecologist) and Jorge Bogantes Montero (conservation biologist), as we explore sedges (Carex spp.) in one of the most scenic parks in Maryland, the historic Chapman State Park. As part of the "Year of the Sedge", we will explore the riparian ecosystems of this park right by the mighty Potomac River in Charles County. The park possesses some of the state's highest Carex diversity in its gorgeous wetlands and floodplain forests.

Difficulty Level and/or Trail Mileage: Easy to moderate, about 1 mile.

Speaker Bios: Rod Simmons is a plant ecologist and conservation biologist, with a background in biology, botany, and geology who has extensively surveyed the flora and natural communities of the mid-Atlantic region, especially the inner Coastal Plain, Fall Zone, and Piedmont of the greater Washington, D.C. area. He is a Research Associate with the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; a member of the Virginia Botanical Associates; former contract botanist for NatureServe, National Park Service, and others; and works closely with the Virginia and Maryland natural heritage programs. He is the author of numerous technical reports, papers, and articles, and has published in scientific journals. He is a member and a past president of the Botanical Society of Washington and serves on the boards of the Virginia and Maryland native plant societies. He is a frequent lecturer and field trip leader for various organizations. He recently retired as Natural Resource Manager and Plant Ecologist for the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

Jorge Bogantes Montero is a Natural Resources Program Manager at the Anacostia Watershed Society in Bladensburg, MD. He leads ecological restoration efforts on public parklands in the Anacostia River watershed (in both DC and MD), including wetland restoration, tree plantings, meadow creation, SAV propagation, mussel propagation, wildlife monitoring, and invasive plant management. Mr. Bogantes Montero has a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management and Protection from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia in San Jose, Costa Rica, his native country. Before moving to the U.S., Jorge worked in his country in issues related to tropical biodiversity conservation.

For additional information: Jorge Bogantes Montero, jmontero@anacostiaws.org/ 202-560-6107.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 25 people. Registration through May 29, 2026 for members only. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water, sunscreen and repellent.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm.

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Note that An "Account" is not A "Membership" Our website allows non-members to have a "Contact Account" to receive emails about upcoming field trips, programs, and other events. When you login, click on your name (it should be on the top right of the page); if there are no details on membership, you are have a "Contact Account" only. Consider joining to support our programs and take advantage of members-only early registration.

MNPS Field Trip: Wye Farm: A Model Restoration of Native Wildflower Meadows and Grassland Habitat (SATURDAY) (06/06/2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

AN EASTERN SHORE CHAPTER EVENT.

Leader: Jon Shaw
Co-Leaders: Cristina Niciporciukas/Wayne Bell

Location: Wye Farm

Description: Wye Farm is a 450‑acre historic estate (ca. 1800) in Queen Anne’s County. It is the family farm of Anne Habberton and is co‑managed with her husband, wildlife artist Jonathan Shaw. In 2021, thirty‑three acres of former cropland were converted to native grasses and wildflowers. Since then, the fields have been managed as early‑successional wildlife habitat through selective mowing and invasive‑plant control.

The transformation has been remarkable. The wildflower meadows provide a shifting display of color throughout the growing season and support an impressive diversity of pollinators, from bees to butterflies. They also offer food and year‑round cover for birds, including declining grassland species such as Grasshopper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and Northern Bobwhite. The project is now considered one of the most successful native wildflower restorations in the region.

Jonathan Shaw will guide us through the heart of the restoration and explain how the habitat is managed to support both plant productivity and wildlife. Expect fields alive with butterflies and other pollinators—and American Goldfinches making the most of the abundant seed crop.

We will mostly follow well maintained paths but even those can have ticks.

For additional information: Please reach out to Cristina Niciporciukas at cnicipo71@outlook.com or 973-216-5216

FREE EVENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 25 people. Registration Deadline: 06/04

Directions will be included in registration confirmation. A waiver will be signed at the location.

Bring: Please bring water and snacks. Please wear hat, boots and use insect/tick repellant.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time.

Weed or Wildflower? (06/18/2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

MNPS Special Event: Botanical Terminology for Sedge (Carex) Identification by Sean Sipple (Wednesday - Zoom) (06/24/2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Sean Sipple

During this optional virtual session associated with the Sedge (Carex) Identification Workshop on June 27th at the Adkins Arboretum, we will go over the most essential botanical terms and techniques used to identify sedges (Carex spp.) in dichotomous keys. This session is encouraged for people less familiar with botanical terminology, or people less familiar with sedges in particular. This session will be open to the general public, not just for workshop participants. However, If you would like to attend the June 27th workshop you will have to register online for the 25 slots available.

About the Speaker

Sean is a Senior Environmental Scientist with over 22 years of experience. He co-leads the NRT and oversees CRI’s water quality and biomonitoring studies in non-tidal and tidal habitats, with broad expertise in natural resources disciplines such as rare, threatened, and endangered species and habitat surveys, waters of the U.S. (including wetlands) delineations, and mitigation monitoring. Sean conducts, reviews, and assembles complex natural resource studies related to residential, commercial, transportation, and utility projects, both private and public. He holds numerous accredited certifications, including Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, Professional Wetland Delineator, Benthic Macroinvertebrate Taxonomy, Fish Taxonomy, Fish Crew Leader, Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor, and Small Whorled Pogonia. He is well-recognized for his technical expertise and regularly provides professional training to natural resource professionals in the region in wetland delineation, plant identification, and other technical disciplines.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

MNPS Field Trip: Sedge (Carex) Identification Workshop (Saturday) (06/27/2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

There are 178 species of sedges (Carex spp.) in Maryland and over 480 species in North America, making it the single largest plant genus on the continent! This workshop will be a hands-on botanical exploration of Carex at the Adkins Arboretum. Associated with this workshop, we will hold a virtual presentation previously (date TBD) to go over basic botanical terminology, this virtual session will be optional for workshop participants. During the workshop, botanical terminology will be spoken, researched, learned and discussed. Previous reading and studying of Carex morphology terminology is highly encouraged. For more experienced participants or people that would like to dive deeper in the botany of Carex, we recommend purchasing applications like Flora of Virginia or FloraQuest (for our region). This workshop will be led by botanist and environmental scientist Sean Sipple.

Leaders: Jorge Bogantes Montero jmontero@anacostiaws.org(202)560-6107 and Sean Sipple (seans@cri.biz)

Sean is a Senior Environmental Scientist with over 23 years of experience. He co-leads the Natural Resources Department and oversees CRI’s water quality and biomonitoring studies in non-tidal and tidal habitats, with broad expertise in natural resources disciplines such as rare, threatened, and endangered species and habitat surveys, waters of the U.S. (including wetlands) delineations, and mitigation monitoring. Sean conducts, reviews, and assembles complex natural resource studies related to residential, commercial, transportation, and utility projects, both private and public. He holds numerous accredited certifications, including Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, Professional Wetland Delineator, Benthic Macroinvertebrate Taxonomy, Fish Taxonomy, Fish Crew Leader, Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor, and Small Whorled Pogonia. He is well-recognized for his technical expertise and regularly provides professional training to natural resource professionals in the region in wetland delineation, plant identification, and other technical disciplines.

Location: Adkins Arboretum.

Notes: It is recommended that you attend the Zoom session (date TBD) that we will offer on Carex botanical terminology or that you practice ID/become familiar with keys (with the apps recommended) and terminology before the event.

Optional but recommended resources: floraquest app (you have to purchase it and make sure you purchase the one for the northern tier which covers our region): https://ncbg.unc.edu/research/unc-herbarium/flora-apps/ or Flora of Virginia (you have to purchase it) https://floraofvirginia.org/flora-app

For additional information: Jorge Bogantes Montero jmontero@anacostiaws.org (202)560-6107 and Sean Sipple (seans@cri.biz)

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 25 people. Registration through May 16 for members only. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring water bottle, insect/tick repellent, sunscreen. Outdoor clothes, closed-toe shoes, and rain gear depending on weather forecast.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle, but will be canceled if heavy rain or thunderstorm

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Weed or Wildflower? (07/01/2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (07/13/2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (07/31/2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (08/11/2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (08/26/2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (09/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (09/23/2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.