Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

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

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.

MNPS Field Trip: Turner's Creek Park: Where Geology, Ecology and Human History Intersect (SATURDAY) (08/15/2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

AN EASTERN SHORE CHAPTER EVENT.

Leader: Abby Lorenz

Location: Turner's Creek Park

Description: Explore the habitats of Turner’s Creek and the Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area, where geology, ecology, and human history intersect. Upland deciduous woods, grassland meadows managed for Northern Bobwhite habitat, tidal marshes, and tall bluffs overlooking the Sassafras River create a dynamic landscape. Along the way, encounter native plant communities shaped by natural processes and generations of human use, including a thriving population of American lotus in Turner's Creek. The walk also highlights the area's cultural history, from its Indigenous heritage and Captain John Smith's 1608 exploration to present-day conservation efforts.

Abby Lorenz' Bio: Abby Lorenz is the Director of Public Engagement at Adkins Arboretum, where she develops programming that connects people with the ecology, culture and landscapes of the Delmarva Peninsula. A native of the region, she has over a decade of experience in public horticulture, including roles at Mount Cuba Center, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Unity Landscape Design/Build. Abby completed a 13-month leadership program at Longwood Gardens, focusing on mission-driven public horticulture. A passionate advocate for native plants, she believes that public gardens are powerful spaces for fostering connection and understanding. Abby holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and a BFA in Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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 12 people. Registration Deadline: 08/14

Address and directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: Please bring binoculars, hat, water and snacks. Please wear boots and use insect/tick repellant. We will mostly follow well maintained paths but even those can have ticks.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain, thunderstorm or extreme heat; cancellation will be emailed at least 3 hours before meeting time.

MNPS Monthly Program: Rachel Carson’s Wonder, Wisdom, and Local Legacy by Rebecca Henson (08/25/2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Rebecca Henson, Spring Song Museum

Rachel Carson (1907‒1964) was a world-renowned writer and trained biologist and is considered by many as the mother of the modern environmental movement. She lived her adult life in Maryland, first as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins and then moving to Montgomery County for closer proximity to her civil service work in College Park and Washington, DC. This talk will provide an overview of Carson's life and written works, discussing her courage, ecological philosophy, and clear-eyed wonder in the natural world around us, including the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, Rock Creek Park, and the Chesapeake Bay. It will also explore why Carson wrote her final book, Silent Spring, how it succeeded in shifting public perception about the environment, and where she had hoped her career would go next. Rebecca will briefly share the plans for the creation of the Springsong Museum in Silver Spring, a vibrant community museum celebrating Rachel Carson, a place where visitors of all ages will connect to the natural world through her work and example.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rebecca Henson founded Springsong Museum in 2021 with the mission of creating a museum that connects community and nature through the wonder and wisdom of Rachel Carson and to bring new life to a previously vacant historic industrial building and site in Silver Spring. Before Springsong, Rebecca worked at Nature Forward's Woodend Sanctuary helping to run the nature bookshop, consulted for the nonprofit Ceres, and led environmental screening and advocacy at Calvert Investments for 9 years. A Maryland Master Naturalist, she is a current board member of Neighbors of the Northwest Branch, the watershed organization stewarding a major tributary of the Anacostia River. She enjoys serving as a judge for Maryland History Day. Rebecca has a BA in History from Vanderbilt University and an MA from the University of Bath (UK) in Politics, Policy, and Society focused on comparative environmental policy and was named a 2026-2027 Beinecke Research Fellow at Yale University for her work with the Rachel Carson Papers. She believes deeply in leaning in to wherever it is one lives.

This meeting is hybrid. We ask that you register for your preferred option; after registering, you will get Zoom login information and in person location information.

Co-sponsor: The University of Maryland Extension with host Lisa Kuder

Physical location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC)
4240 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Directions: Enter the building at the front door under the portico. (The door next to the parking lot will be locked.)

The program is free and open to the public.

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.

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, as well as the in person location information.

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? (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.

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Maryland Native Plant Society 2026 Annual Conference
Diverse Landscape of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

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

The Maryland Native Plant Society's fall conference features speakers and field trips to learn more about our native plants and their habitats. Discover the unique landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Coastal Plain from globally rare ecosystems such as magnolia bogs to the resilient and prevalent oak-hickory forests. Virtual conference registration ($30) for the morning talks is available

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Open to conference attendees and the public. Maryland certified native plant nurseries will be selling plants, and a botanical artist and several organizations will have tables.

Free Parking on Saturday: In Progress.

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

On Saturday, field trips will be within ½ hour driving distance from UMD, College Park. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized. We are committed to providing accessible trip options.

The five workshops are listed below. Sign-ups for these workshops will be available when the field trips have been finalized.

Asteraceae Identification Workshop. Clare Walker
The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill
Design your Native Garden with a Landscape Architect. UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel
Sketching Asters - Draw One to Know One. Jen Brown

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barren: Restoration of a globally rare habitat with remarkable plants - Paula Becker, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Conservation of Maryland’s native orchids - Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Restoring vernal pools and preserving their fragile habitats - Michael Hayslett, Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC
Negative effects of pesticides on native ecosystems, plants, and animals.- Maya Korb, Natural Resources Defense Council

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

On Sunday, field trips will take place at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized.

If you would like to volunteer on the day of the conference email conference@mdflora.org

Due to the holidays in September (Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) and several large events at the venue, it was especially difficult to select a date for our annual conference this year. We recognize some members of our community may not be able to join us on the dates we chose and for this we are truly sorry. MNPS treasures our diverse community and wishes to welcome everyone as we explore and celebrate native plants and their habitats. Thank you for understanding and let us know how we can include you in the future. - The MNPS Conference Planning Committee

MNPS Virtual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Virtual Attendance of the Fall Conference

To attend in person, please go to this event: MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore

AGENDA

Saturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Registration includes the Saturday morning program.

Virtual Attendance does NOT include field trips.

Virtual Attendance Registration Fees

$30 person
$15 for Students

SATURDAY EVENING LECTURE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY

If you need to cancel, email Karyn Molines at conference@mdflora.org. Full refunds (except for administrative fees) are available for cancellations prior to August 12. A 50% refund will be issued for any cancellation received by August 31. Refunds are not available for cancellations after September 7.

2026 MNPS Conference Field Trips (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

Registering for this event, you will choose both Saturday and Sunday field trip options.

All guests must also be registered for the conference.

We reserve the right to cancel your registration if you are not also registered for the conference.

Saturday Field Trips are from 1-5 p.m.

Sunday Field Trips start & end time varies. See description.

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Maryland Native Plant Society 2026 Annual Conference
Diverse Landscape of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

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

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Open to conference attendees and the public. Maryland certified native plant nurseries will be selling plants, and a botanical artist and several organizations will have tables.

Free Parking on Saturday: In Progress.

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

On Saturday, field trips will be within ½ hour driving distance from UMD, College Park. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized. We are committed to providing accessible trip options.

The five workshops are listed below. Sign-ups for these workshops will be available when the field trips have been finalized.

Asteraceae Identification Workshop. Clare Walker
The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill
Design your Native Garden with a Landscape Architect. UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel
Sketching Asters - Draw One to Know One. Jen Brown

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barren: Restoration of a globally rare habitat with remarkable plants - Paula Becker, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Conservation of Maryland’s native orchids - Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Restoring vernal pools and preserving their fragile habitats - Michael Hayslett, Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC
Negative effects of pesticides on native ecosystems, plants, and animals.- Maya Korb, Natural Resources Defense Council

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

On Sunday, field trips will take place at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized.

If you would like to volunteer on the day of the conference email conference@mdflora.org

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Maryland Native Plant Society 2026 Annual Conference
Diverse Landscape of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

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

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Open to conference attendees and the public. Maryland certified native plant nurseries will be selling plants, and a botanical artist and several organizations will have tables.

Free Parking on Saturday: In Progress.

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

On Saturday, field trips will be within ½ hour driving distance from UMD, College Park. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized. We are committed to providing accessible trip options.

The five workshops are listed below. Sign-ups for these workshops will be available when the field trips have been finalized.

Asteraceae Identification Workshop. Clare Walker
The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill
Design your Native Garden with a Landscape Architect. UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel
Sketching Asters - Draw One to Know One. Jen Brown

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barren: Restoration of a globally rare habitat with remarkable plants - Paula Becker, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Conservation of Maryland’s native orchids - Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Restoring vernal pools and preserving their fragile habitats - Michael Hayslett, Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC
Negative effects of pesticides on native ecosystems, plants, and animals.- Maya Korb, Natural Resources Defense Council

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

On Sunday, field trips will take place at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized.

If you would like to volunteer on the day of the conference email conference@mdflora.org

2026 MNPS Conference Field Trips (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

Registering for this event, you will choose both Saturday and Sunday field trip options.

All guests must also be registered for the conference.

We reserve the right to cancel your registration if you are not also registered for the conference.

Saturday Field Trips are from 1-5 p.m.

Sunday Field Trips start & end time varies. See description.

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.

MNPS Monthly Program: Floral Biographies and Urban Foraging Portfolios by Dr. Martha Weiss (09/29/2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Dr. Martha Weiss

Floral Biographies and Urban Foraging Portfolios: Strategies to Make Botany Relevant, Relatable, and FUN for Plant Agnostics.

Dr. Weiss will talk about some of the strategies she has developed over the years to make botany interesting and relevant for students who otherwise would not give plants a second thought. Among other things, she'll describe exercises focusing on a close examination of floral behavior, and will highlight some of her favorite fall foraging treats.

Dr. Martha Weiss is a professor of biology at Georgetown University, where she studies plant-insect interactions and tries to sneak a dose of botany into every course she teaches, regardless of the subject. She received a BA in geological sciences from Harvard University, a PhD in botany from the University of California, Berkeley, and postdoctoral training in insect behavior from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Her research derives from a close observation of nature and centers around experimental exploration of questions in insect ecology and plant–animal interactions.

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 Monthly Program: Weed Warriors: Volunteers in Action by Corinne Stephens (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

TO DUPLICATE: Click on the Arrow next to the Edit button. If you are already in edit mode, cancel and Duplicate this event)

Speaker: Corinne Stephens

Want to tackle invasive plants? Weed Warrior programs with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission empower community members to take an active role in conserving parks by removing invasive plant species.

This talk will highlight the long-running Weed Warrior program at Montgomery Parks, established in 1999, alongside the newly launched program at the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. We’ll cover the core components of successful Weed Warrior programs, strategies for engaging and supporting volunteers, and key lessons learned. We'll also provide insights and considerations for building or strengthening volunteer-driven invasive plant management programs as well as ways to get involved.

Corinne Stephens, Natural Resources Specialist III, manages the Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Volunteer Program that empowers and trains community members to help Montgomery Parks staff manage non-native, invasive plants on parkland. Corinne spent over 15 years in the enviro non-profit sector and has over 22 years of experience in partnership building, community engagement, volunteer management, and wildlife habitat conservation. Corinne has been a lifelong volunteer and was a past president of Friends of Sligo Creek. She holds a BS in animal science and environmental policy from Rutgers University and an MS in wildlife policy from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. For her Master’s, she worked with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to document the exact locations and risk factors involved in turtle road mortality!

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!

Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

Weed or Wildflower? (08/11/2026)

MNPS Field Trip: Turner's Creek Park: Where Geology, Ecology and Human History Intersect (SATURDAY) (08/15/2026)

MNPS Monthly Program: Rachel Carson’s Wonder, Wisdom, and Local Legacy by Rebecca Henson (08/25/2026)

Weed or Wildflower? (08/26/2026)

Weed or Wildflower? (09/08/2026)

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

MNPS Virtual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

Virtual Attendance of the Fall Conference

AGENDA

Saturday, September 12, 2026 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Virtual Attendance Registration Fees

SATURDAY EVENING LECTURE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY

2026 MNPS Conference Field Trips (09/12/2026)

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/13/2026)

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

2026 MNPS Conference Field Trips (09/13/2026)

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

Weed or Wildflower? (09/23/2026)

MNPS Monthly Program: Floral Biographies and Urban Foraging Portfolios by Dr. Martha Weiss (09/29/2026)

MNPS Monthly Program: Weed Warriors: Volunteers in Action by Corinne Stephens (10/27/2026)

Saturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.