Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

MNPS Field Trip: Ephemerals and Early Bloomers in Coastal Plains Habitats. A Spring Field Ramble Through the First Flowers of the Forest in the Eastern Shore (SUNDAY) (04/12/2026)

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Sponsored by MNPS Eastern Shore Chapter
Co-sponsoring Organization: Adkins Arboretum

Location: Tuckahoe State Park (via the Park Office) in the morning and Adkins Arboretum for lunch and afternoon.

Description: Join us for an observant walk through two of the Eastern Shore’s most beloved natural areas—Tuckahoe State Park and Adkins Arboretum—as we welcome the earliest blooms of the season. Before the canopy leaf out and the forest floor slips back into shade, a brief, brilliant parade of spring ephemerals rises, flowers, and fades. This is our chance to catch them in their fleeting moment. This is also the time when some of our most beloved native trees and shrubs are in full bloom too.

The Tuckahoe–Adkins landscape is a mosaic of Coastal Plain habitats—swamp forests, seepage slopes, sandy ridges, and rich bottomlands. That diversity means a longer, more varied early spring show than you’ll find in many other parts of the Shore. We will weave in and out both parks, which is actually part of the same complex. Tuckahoe State Park offers wild, unfiltered forest communities where ephemerals carpet the open floor. Adkins Arboretum provides a curated, accessible look at native species, including some that are harder to find in the wild. Together, they give us a full picture of what early spring looks like in the Mid Shore’s natural heritage.

Leaders: Leslie Cario and Cristina Niciporciukas Leslie Cario is the Horticulture and Natural Lands Director at Adkins Arboretum. Cristina Niciporciukas is the Eastern Shore MNPS Chapter Chair.

What we will look for: a carpet of blooming trout lilies, skunk cabbage, spring beauties, jack in the pulpit, Virginia bluebells, golden ragwort, cranefly orchids, blooming mayapples, Canada mayflowers, not to mention blooming sassafras. If you follow Jim Brighton's MD Plant Big Year via Substack, we will try to spot some of the plants he shared on the Feb 22 edition.

For additional information: Please reach out to Cristina Niciporciukas at eschapter@mdflora.org

FREE EVENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Registration Deadline: 04/10

Bring: Please wear good shoes (boots preferred), and bring water, lunch, and snacks. Bring your favorite plant identification resources. We will use iNat to help ID plants and any other living thing as we move along the paths.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time.

MNPS Field Trip: Spring at Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Sunday) (04/26/2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join plant enthusiasts and weed warriors Jill Fonda Allen and Fred Proctor, as well as Lauren Hubbard plant scientist as we explore spring in this botanically rich park. Depending on the weather, we may see spring ephemerals such as bloodroot and May apple. Mid-April is bloom-time for the Showy orchid, known to be in this park. Many of the parks native plants are sending out shoots and buds.

Leader: Jill Fonda Allen, Fred Proctor, Lauren Hubbard

Location: Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Montgomery Parks)

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 15 people. Registration through April 10 for members only. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: Sturdy shoes/boots, bug spray, hat, long sleeves/pants. Optional magnifying glass, cell phone for iNAT, small ruler. Note: There are no restroom facilities at this location.

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Note that An "Account" is not A "Membership"Our website allows non-members to have a "Contact Account" to receive emails about upcoming field trips, programs, and other events. When you login, click on your name (it should be on the top right of the page); if there are no details on membership, you are have a "Contact Account" only. Consider joining to support our programs and take advantage of members-only early registration.

MNPS Field Trip: Pondshore Botanizing on the Eastern Shore: Spring Flora of Delmarva Bays (SUNDAY) (04/26/2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Sponsor: Eastern Shore Chapter

Leader: Sean Sipple

Location: Millington WMA. Directions will be sent to all who register.

Description: In this field trip, we will visit one of the Eastern Shore’s most fascinating and least understood wetland systems: the Delmarva Bays. These wetlands support an extraordinary suite of plants and animals, including several rare and state‑listed species. With luck, we may encounter the state‑endangered Featherfoil (Hottonia inflata) in bloom — one of the signature species of these seasonal ponds. Often called vernal pools because of their seasonality, Delmarva Bays are actually geologically unique landforms with an ecological richness all their own. Delmarva Bays are also among the most threatened wetland types on the Coastal Plain due to historical drainage and land conversion, making them an important conservation priority.

Our trip will take place at Millington Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in eastern Kent County. Managed by Maryland’s Wildlife and Heritage Service, Millington’s 4,000 acres include hardwood forests, pine stands, meadows, fallow fields, agricultural plantings, forested bottomlands, and a number of Delmarva Bays. We’ll explore spring flora across multiple habitat types and document the diversity we encounter along the way.

Notes for Participants: Be prepared for uneven ground, off‑trail walking, and potentially muddy conditions depending on recent weather. Much of our time will be spent moving through woods and meadows rather than on established trails. Areas might be very wet as we approach the ponds. Bring your camera or smartphone — we’ll be documenting plants, wildlife, and anything else we discover throughout the day.

For additional information: Contact Cristina Niciporciukas eschapter@mdflora.org

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 16 people. Registration through April 20 for members only, open to non-members afterwards. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: Please bring food and beverage for snack. Restroom facilities are non-existent. While still early in the season, ticks and chiggers are always present, so please practice precautionary measures. Wear hat and weather appropriate clothing. Waterproof boots a must as terrain might be really wet as we get close to the pond areas.

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Note that An "Account" is not A "Membership" Our website allows non-members to have a "Contact Account" to receive emails about upcoming field trips, programs, and other events. When you login, click on your name (it should be on the top right of the page); if there are no details on membership, you are a "Contact Account" only. Consider joining to support our programs and take advantage of members-only early registration.

MNPS Foray: Cosca Regional Park (FRIDAY) (05/15/2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Co-sponsoring Organization: M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.

Leader: Kerry Wixted
Co-Leader: Judy Fulton

Location: Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, Prince George County.

Description: Join Vegetation Ecologist, Kerry Wixted, for a fun ramble through the woods west of Cosca Lake at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park! This hike is a plant blitz—part exploration, part science—where we’ll slow down, look closely, and document the plants that call this area home. Several rare species have already been discovered nearby, and with sharp eyes and a little luck, we might uncover more hidden botanical gems. We’ll be using iNaturalist to record our finds, contributing valuable data toward a comprehensive plant list for the park. Whether you’re a seasoned plant nerd or just plant-curious, come help us turn a hike into a discovery mission!

Kerry Wixted is the vegetation ecologist with the Park Planning and Environmental Stewardship Division, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.

For additional information: Please reach out to Kerry Wixted at Kerry.wixted@pgparks.com or 240-716-8389.

FREE EVENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Registration Deadline: 05/12

Bring: Please bring whatever you need for a walk in the woods! This means good shoes, water, lunch, and snacks. Bring a hand lens if you have one, as well as your favorite identification resources.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time.

MNPS Field Trip: Suitland Bog (FRIDAY) (06/05/2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Co-Sponsoring Organization: M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.

Leaders: Kim Stringer. Kerry Wixted and Chris Garrett

Location: 5904 Suitland Rd, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20746

Description: Celebrate 50 years of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) managing Suitland Bog Natural Area with a pre-birthday bash hike! We’ll start in the upland area, travel down to the terrace gravel bog to botanize along the boardwalk then will check out a few other areas of botanical interest.

Kim Stringer is a Park Ranger with the Natural and Historical Resources Division M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Kerry Wixted is the vegetation ecologist with the Park Planning and Environmental Stewardship Division, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Chris Garrett is the Natural Surface Trails Supervisor with the Natural and Historical Resources Division M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County.

For additional information: Please reach out to Kerry Wixted at Kerry.wixted@pgparks.com or 240-716-8389.

FREE EVENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Registration Deadline: 6/3

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 2 hours before meeting time.