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The Maryland Native Plant Society

Maryland Native Plant Society 2026 Annual Conference

Diverse Landscapes of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

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

Co-sposor Logo University of Maryland Extension      Co-sponsor Logo UMD 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.

Conference registration

Virtual conference registration ($30) for the morning talks is available

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM 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. 

Parking on Saturday: Free at Regents Drive Garage/Lot B (behind Hornbake Plaza) and possibly elsewhere TBD.

1 PM: 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.

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

  • Introduction to Aster ID: Workshop and Walk. 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
  • Hands-on Introduction to Botanical Illustration. 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 - Paula Becker, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • Native plant conservation - Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
  • Vernal pools - Michael Hayslett, Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC

  • Pesticide effects on natives - 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


Registration Fees

  • Members 100.00 
  • Certification Attendee (CEUs) $100
  • Member of Another Plant Society $100
  • Non-members $130
  • Staff $50.00 
  • Students $30.00 
  • Poster Presenter $15 (Registration code required)
  • Virtual morning talks only $30 (students $15)

Sponsorships Available through Rgistration Process

  • Sedge $250
  • Spicebush $500
  • White Oak $1000

Download the sponsor benefits

Native Plant Vendors, Speakers, Trip & Workshop Leaders No fee. Registration code required

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 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore

    • 09/12/2026
    • 09/13/2026
    • 3 sessions
    • University of Maryland, College Park (Prince Georges)
    • 236
    • 64 registrants
    Register

    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

    Co-sposor Logo University of Maryland Extension  Co-sponsor Logo UMD 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

    Show details

  • MNPS Virtual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

    • 09/12/2026
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    • 7 registrants
    Register

    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.

    Show details

2026 Conference

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.

Speakers, workshops, and field trips: Details coming soon.

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

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, Sept 12

  • Presentations by distinguished speakers
  • Field trips and workshops, on or relatively near campus
  • Poster session and reception
  • Evening presentation and dinner
  • Native plant sale (open 10 AM - 2 PM, public welcome)

Day 2 | Sunday, Sept 13

  • Field trips across Maryland


Conference Sponsors

We seek sponsorship from organizations whose mission aligns with that of MNPS. Sponsorship does not indicate an endorsement from MNPS.  MNPS reserves the right to decline sponsorship that conflicts with our mission.

Sponsorships 

Sponsorships help keep the registration fees affordable. Sponsors will be provided a table for their displays as well as In Person Registration(s) depending on the level.  Sponsor logos must be provided by August 6. 

  • Sedge $250:  Provided one complimentary registration.  Your logo will be placed on the slides between presentations as well as on the Conference web page. Your literature, products samples, coupons, and promotional materials will be given to registered conference attendees.

  • Spicebush $500: Provided two complimentary registrations. Sponsor may bring a banner to place at the Registration area. Your logo will be placed on the opening and closing slides of the conference, in between speakers as well as on the Conference web page. Your literature, products samples, coupons, and promotional materials will be given to registered conference attendees. 

  • White Oak $1000: Provided five complimentary registrations. Tabling opportunity during the conference. Sponsor may bring a banner to place at the Registration area. Your logo will be placed on the opening and closing slides of the conference, in between speakers as well as on the Conference web page. Your literature, products samples, coupons, and promotional materials will be given to registered conference attendees.

  • For levels that receive additional registrations, please be prepared to register them when you register as a Sponsor. Otherwise, contact Karyn Molines conference@mdflora.org for further instructions.


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