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

The Maryland Native Plant Society's 2026 fall conference features presentations, workshops, and field trips so you can 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.

MNPS Conference Agenda (PDF)

CBLP CEU’s (6 for Saturday, 3 for Sunday), LACES approved for all presentations and select field trips.

Morning Session (see presentation details)

Afternoon Session

Workshops Options:

2:00 PM Meet at the workshop location. Workshops are 2:00-5:00 PM

1. FULL 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)
2. FULL Asteraceae Identification. Clare Walker, Ph.D.
3. Sketching Asters – Draw One to Know One, Botanical drawing. Jen Brown
4. FULL The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill (Perennial Nutritional Therapy)
5. FULL Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel, Ph.D. (UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, UMD Herbarium)

Saturday Field Trip Options 

1. Paint Branch Stream Restoration (ADA accessible) (on campus)
2. University of Maryland Audubon Student Chapter Bird Beds Tour (On campus)
3. Wooded Hillock (UMD Campus)
4. Buck Lodge Community Park, Powerline, and Bog (Adelphi MD)
5. Ancient Vernal Pools of Adelphi Manor (Adelphi MD)
6. Living Landscapes with Springsong Museum, Northwest Branch (Silver Spring MD)
7. FULL Exploring Governor's Bridge Natural Area (Bowie MD)
8. FULL Oxbow Lake and a Whopping Wetland (Laurel MD)
9. Globally Rare Pine Barrens (Beltsville MD)

5:30 - 6:30 PM Poster session and social hour

Evening Session (Additional $30 fee paid during conference registration)

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

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

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

Field trips at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore.   (See current list).

1. FULL Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barrens: A short hike across 9000 years (Owings Mills MD)
2. FULL From Invasion to Inspiration: The Possibility of Urban Restoration Projects (Cheverly & Hyattsville MD)
3. FULL Exploring Blockhouse Point Conservation Park (Poolesville MD)
4. FULL Asters of Patuxent Wildlife Refuge Reserve (Laurel MD)
5. FULL Greenbelt Forest Preserve (Greenbelt MD)
6. FULL Quad-busting at White's Ferry and C&O Canal with the Maryland Biodiversity Project (Poolesville MD) 
7. Fairland Regional Park Meander (Laurel MD)
8. FULL The Humane Gardener Sanctuary Tour (Sykesville MD)
9. Black Hill Regional Park, Cabin Branch and Hamilton Trail Loops (Boyds MD)
10. Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Brookeville MD)
11. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). (Edgewater, MD)
12. Suitland Bog Tour (Suitland MD)
13. The Wilds of Beaverdam Creek (Beltsville MD)
14. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary on the Patuxent River (Lothian MD)
15. Fall Meadow at Locust Grove Nature Center (Bethesda MD)

The Maryland Native Plant Society is committed to running an environmentally respectful conference that reflects the values we promote in our conservation work.

BYOB – Bring Your Own Bottle

We're cutting back on single-use plastics, aluminum cans, and glass bottles by asking all attendees to bring a refillable water bottle for the day, including field trips. Hydration stations will be available throughout the venue. Coffee and tea will be provided during the morning and evening sessions; please consider bringing your own reusable travel cup for coffee and tea as well. Other beverages will be available for purchase at the Stamp Student Union food court.

Why It Matters

Single-use drink containers contribute to pollution that harms the very ecosystems and native plant habitats we work to protect. By making small changes together, our conference community can model the sustainable practices we advocate for in the field.

Thank you for helping us keep this gathering true to our mission to promote awareness, appreciation, and conservation of Maryland's native plants and their habitats.