Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

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: Transforming an Eastern Shore Farm into a Bird Sanctuary: Meadows, Wetlands, and Spring Migration (SATURDAY) (05/16/2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 10:45:00 GMT

EASTERN SHORE FIELD TRIP - NOTE THE EARLY START!

Leaders: Monika Relman (property owner), Cristina Niciporciukas, JC Lowery

Description: Holland Point Shores sits on a peninsula along the Choptank River, where the landowners began an ambitious habitat restoration effort about eight years ago. Former sorghum and soybean fields were allowed to return to natural succession, and today the meadows are dominated by broomsedge and a rich mix of native wildflowers. Several wetlands were also created on the property, now supporting an impressive biodiversity. The surrounding forest is actively managed to reduce deer browsing pressure, giving young seedlings a chance to establish. Together, these efforts have transformed the farm into a haven for birds. A remarkable variety of species now use the meadows, wetlands, and woodlands throughout the year.

We will partner with the Talbot County Bird Club and scout for birds, including warblers, vireos, flycatchers and other avian species that are migrating across this habitat or setting up residence for summer breeding while exploring the farm's habitats.

The landowners are deeply committed to continuing to improve each habitat and are eager to share both the challenges and the successes of their ongoing restoration journey.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 10 MNPS members. Directions will be included in registration confirmation. A waiver will be signed at the location.

Bring: Wear hat and boots, bring water, and insect repellant. Also bring your binoculars.

NOTE: TCBC members do not need to sign via MNPS as this is a scheduled birding trip.

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

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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: Late Spring at Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Sunday) (05/17/2026)

Sun, 17 May 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 late spring in this botanically rich park.

Leader: Jill Fonda Allen, Fred Proctor, Lauren Hubbard

Location: Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Montgomery Parks)

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 15 people. 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: 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.

MNPS Field Trip: Sedges (Carex) of the Chapman State Park (Saturday) (06/06/2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Leaders: Rod Simmons and Jorge Bogantes Montero

Location: Chapman State Park, 3452 Ferry Pl, Indian Head, MD 20640. Limited parking is available so we encourage carpooling.

Description: Join MNPS board members, Rod Simmons (plant ecologist) and Jorge Bogantes Montero (conservation biologist), as we explore sedges (Carex spp.) in one of the most scenic parks in Maryland, the historic Chapman State Park. As part of the "Year of the Sedge", we will explore the riparian ecosystems of this park right by the mighty Potomac River in Charles County. The park possesses some of the state's highest Carex diversity in its gorgeous wetlands and floodplain forests.

Difficulty Level and/or Trail Mileage: Easy to moderate, about 1 mile.

Speaker Bios: Rod Simmons is a plant ecologist and conservation biologist, with a background in biology, botany, and geology who has extensively surveyed the flora and natural communities of the mid-Atlantic region, especially the inner Coastal Plain, Fall Zone, and Piedmont of the greater Washington, D.C. area. He is a Research Associate with the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; a member of the Virginia Botanical Associates; former contract botanist for NatureServe, National Park Service, and others; and works closely with the Virginia and Maryland natural heritage programs. He is the author of numerous technical reports, papers, and articles, and has published in scientific journals. He is a member and a past president of the Botanical Society of Washington and serves on the boards of the Virginia and Maryland native plant societies. He is a frequent lecturer and field trip leader for various organizations. He recently retired as Natural Resource Manager and Plant Ecologist for the City of Alexandria, Virginia.

Jorge Bogantes Montero is a Natural Resources Program Manager at the Anacostia Watershed Society in Bladensburg, MD. He leads ecological restoration efforts on public parklands in the Anacostia River watershed (in both DC and MD), including wetland restoration, tree plantings, meadow creation, SAV propagation, mussel propagation, wildlife monitoring, and invasive plant management. Mr. Bogantes Montero has a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management and Protection from the Universidad Estatal a Distancia in San Jose, Costa Rica, his native country. Before moving to the U.S., Jorge worked in his country in issues related to tropical biodiversity conservation.

For additional information: Jorge Bogantes Montero, jmontero@anacostiaws.org/ 202-560-6107.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 25 people. Registration through May 29, 2026 for members only. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water, sunscreen and repellent.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm.

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