Log in


The Maryland Native Plant Society

Maryland Native Plant Society 2026 Conference

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

Co-sposor Logo University of Maryland Extension      Co-sponsor Logo UMD School of Landscape Architecture

The Maryland Native Plant Society's 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.

Location: University of Maryland, College Park

Parking on Saturday: Free at Regents Drive Garage/Lot B (behind Hornbake Plaza). Other campus lots are free on the weekends if highlighted in green on UMD’s campus map (pdf) (webpage). Please read parking signs carefully to avoid expensive parking fines.

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

Conference registration for in-person
Morning Session and Field Trips on September 12 and 13

MNPS Conference Agenda (PDF)

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

7:45 - 8:45 AM Check-inand continental breakfast

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sponsor tables (indoors)

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Plant sale by Maryland certified native plant nurseries, plus other booths (Hornbake Plaza, open to the public) (see sale booth details)

Morning Session (see presentation details)

8:45 - 9:00 AM Welcome and logistics

9:00 - 10:00 AM Soldiers Delight's Serpentine Barrens: Restoration of a Globally Rare Ecosystem with Amazing Plants. Paula Becker (Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

10:00 - 11:00 AM The Toxic Truth About Neonic Pesticides: Threats to Pollinators, Natural Ecosystems, and Our Health. Dan Raichel, Maya Korb (Natural Resources Defense Council)

11:00 - 11:15 AM Break

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Restoring Vernal Pools and Preserving Their Fragile Habitats. Michael Hayslett (Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC)

12:15 - 12:20 PM Announcements

Afternoon Session

12:20 - 1:00 PM Bag lunch pick-up

1:40 - 1:45 PM Field trip meet-up

1:45 - 2:00 PM Departure and driving to field trips (all locations within ½ hour drive)

2:00 - 5:00 PM Field trip or workshop (not a complete list)  Conference Registrants will receive an email with the complete list in order to choose a field trip or workshop.

Workshops Options:

  1. Asteraceae Identification. Clare Walker, Ph.D.
  2. 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)
  3. Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel, Ph.D. (UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, UMD Herbarium)
  4. Sketching Asters – Draw One to Know One, Botanical drawing. Jen Brown
  5. The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill (Perennial Nutritional Therapy)
Field trip examples out of many options:
  • Buck Lodge Community Park, Powerline, and Bog (Adelphi)
  • Ancient Vernal Pools of Adelphi Manor (MD)
  • Oxbow Lake and a Whopping Wetland (Laurel)

5:00 - 5:15 PM Break

5:15 - 6:30 PM Poster session and reception

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

6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner buffet

6:55 - 7:00 PM Announcement of poster awards

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

Various times. Field trips at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore Sign-ups available after field trips finalized.  Conference Registrants will receive an email with the complete list in order to choose a field trip or workshop.


Registration Fees

  • Members: $100
  • Certification Attendee (CEUs): $100
  • Member of Other Plant Society: $100
  • Non-members: $130
  • Staff of UMD/Extension: $50
  • Students: $30
  • Poster Presenter: $15
  • (Registration code required)
  • Virtual morning talks only: $30 (students $15)

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

In Person Conference. Includes morning talks, field trips on Saturday and Sunday, morning coffee and tea station and lunch.  Evening session, which includes dinner is an additional $30 option available during the registration process.

Sponsorships Available during Registration Process

  • Sedge: $250
  • Spicebush: $500
  • White Oak: $1,000

See the sponsor benefits

Due to the holidays in September (Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), plus several large events at the venue, it was especially difficult to select a date for our 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.

REGISTRATION

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

    • 09/12/2026
    • 09/13/2026
    • 3 sessions
    • University of Maryland, College Park (Prince George's)
    • 215
    • 85 registrants
    Register

    In Person Attendance of the Fall Conference

    Event Co-Hosts: University of Maryland Extension MAryland Native Plants Program 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 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.

    Location: University of Maryland, College Park

    Parking on Saturday: Free at Regents Drive Garage/Lot B (behind Hornbake Plaza). Other campus lots are free on the weekends if highlighted in green on UMD’s campus map. Please read parking signs carefully to avoid expensive parking fines.

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

    Day 1| Saturday, September 12

    7:45 - 8:45 AM Check-in and continental breakfast

    8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sponsor tables (indoors) 

    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Plant sale by Maryland certified native plant nurseries, plus other booths (Hornbake Plaza, open to the public) (see sale booth details)

    Morning Session

    8:45 - 9:00 AM Welcome and logistics

    9:00 - 10:00 AM Soldiers Delight's Serpentine Barrens: Restoration of a Globally Rare Ecosystem with Amazing Plants. Paula Becker (Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

    10:00 - 11:00 AM The Toxic Truth About Neonic Pesticides: Threats to Pollinators, Natural Ecosystems, and Our Health. Dan Raichel, Maya Korb (Natural Resources Defense Council)

    11:00 - 11:15 AM Break

    11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Restoring Vernal Pools and Preserving Their Fragile Habitats. Michael Hayslett (Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC)

    12:15 - 12:20 PM Announcements 

    Afternoon Session

    12:20 - 1:00 PM Bag lunch pick-up

    1:40 - 1:45 PM Field trip meet-up

    1:45 - 2:00 PM Departure and driving to field trips (all locations within ½ hour drive)

    2:00 - 5:00 PM Field trip or workshop (see field trip and workshop details) – Sign-ups available after field trips finalized. Choose a field trip on the details page or one of the workshop option listed here:

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

    5:00 - 5:15 PM Break

    5:15 - 6:30 PM Poster session and reception

    Evening Session ($30 extra cost option during registration)

    6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner buffet

    6:55 - 7:00 PM Announcement of poster awards

    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

    Various times: Field trips at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore (see field trip details) – Sign-ups available after field trips 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), plus several large events at the venue, it was especially difficult to select a date for our 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.

    Show details

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

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

    Virtual Attendance of the Fall Conference

    To attend in person, please go to this event: 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

    AGENDA

    8:45 - 9:00 AM Welcome and logistics

    9:00 - 10:00 AM Soldiers Delight's Serpentine Barrens: Restoration of a Globally Rare Ecosystem with Amazing Plants. Paula Becker (Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

    10:00 - 11:00 AM The Toxic Truth About Neonic Pesticides: Threats to Pollinators, Natural Ecosystems, and Our Health. Dan Raichel, Maya Korb (Natural Resources Defense Council)

    11:00 - 11:15 AM Break

    11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Restoring Vernal Pools and Preserving Their Fragile Habitats. Michael Hayslett (Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC)

    12:15 - 12:20 PM Announcements

    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.

    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

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software