MNPS Meeting: "Travilah Barrens: Maryland's Last Remaining Serpentinite Forest"

Join Carole Bergmann, Forest Ecologist with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and MNPS president, for a presentation on the newly preserved Travilah Serpentine Barrens in Montgomery County, Maryland. Serpentinite communities vary somewhat but are generally characterized by xeric, shallow soils with high amounts of magnesium and iron derived from ultramafic rock (serpentinite, soapstone, talc-schist, etc), a fairly flat to gently rolling topography with numerous rock outcrops, and somewhat stunted, open vegetation dominated by oaks and pines and grassy glades supporting many rare and uncommon species. Serpentinite communities are globally-rare throughout their range, with Maryland containing some of the largest expanses in the eastern U.S. Differing somewhat from the prairie-like serpentine barrens at Soldier's Delight in Baltimore County, the Travilah site is notable as Maryland's largest and best remaining example of an old-age, forested serpentinite community.

There will be a mailing party before the meeting, starting at 6:00pm. Volunteers are welcome - the more helping hands, the merrier! Native plants will be given to volunteers, courtesy of Chesapeake Natives, Inc..

Location: White Oak Library - Large Meeting Room

Directions: Exit the Washington Beltway at New Hampshire Ave (exit 28). Go north about 2 miles. The library is the first building on the right, once you have passed under Route 29, just after the Sears store.

There will be refreshments and door prizes. Pot luck refreshments are always welcome.

The meeting is open to non-members.

Meetings take place on the last Tuesday of each month.