Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

Weed or Wildflower? (06/18/2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

Want to help preserve our regional biodiversity? Then bring your work gloves, kneeling pads, favorite weeding tools, & some elbow grease to remove unwanted plants from the native plant garden. As you work, you’ll learn how to identify common weeds and why protecting native plants is so critical for wildlife. Meet at the native plant garden near the dam. Please bring your own water bottle, insect spray, & sunscreen. In case of rain this activity will be cancelled.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 22 and follow signs for New Germany State Park. Turn left into the park onto McAndrews Hill Road. The program will be held in the native plant garden near parking lot #5.

No registration.

Wildflower Walk and iNaturalist Tutorial at the Oxford Conservation Park (THURSDAY) (06/18/2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Eastern Shore Event!

Larisa Prezioso and Cristina Niciporciukas will lead a wildflower walk in the Oxford Conservation Park (OCP). This should be a good time of year to view meadow wildflowers planted throughout the park. Larisa is the Director of Land Conservation at the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and Cristina is Chair of the Maryland Natural Plant Society’s Eastern Shore Chapter.

The Park, once slated for development, was transformed into a public nature preserve through the efforts of Talbot County leaders and community stakeholders. In 2023, the Friends of OCP partnered with Talbot County Parks and Recreation, the ESLC, and Washington College’s Natural Lands Project to restore and expand the park’s habitat. With funding from the Department of Natural Resources, thirty additional acres has been converted from cropland into native meadows, featuring tree plantings, short grasses, wildflowers, and new walking trails. This expansion aims to improve water quality, support climate resilience, and restore rare early successional habitats vital to species like the Northern Bobwhite quail, sparrows, woodcocks, and salamanders. The project blends conservation, education, and recreation, turning the park into a sanctuary for both wildlife and the community.

Prior to the walk, Cristina will provide a tutorial on how to use iNaturalist, an online social network of people sharing biodiversity information to help each other learn about nature. We suggest that participants sign up for an iNaturalist app account prior to the walk. You will then be able to try out the app during the walk. Cristina, who documents the state’s native flora via iNaturalist, has created an iNaturalist project for the Oxford Conservation Park. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/oxford-conservation-park. This puts all iNaturalist observations that were made in the Park in a single place. Feel free to join the Project as a member prior to the event.

The group will meet in the Park parking lot (Oxford Road & Boone Creek Road) at 9:00. Please wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes—we’ll be both on the paved and on the somewhat rough grass park trails. We also recommend having water, sun and bug protection, a hat, and a pair of field glasses.

The walk and tutorial are sponsored by the Friends of the OCP. For questions and to join our email list, contact us at: oxfordconservationpark@gmail.com

This event is free to attend and no registration is required.

Bioblitz at Cosca Regional Park (SATURDAY) (06/20/2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join experts and nature enthusiasts as we set out upon the park to document EVERYTHING we can find. There will be themed hikes leaving from the Nature Center throughout the day and will also be heading out in small groups for documentation. Information below has been taken from the Maryland Biodiversity Project blog by John Hall and adapted to MNPS website. https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/blog/?p=1953

Scheduled events: Walk and talk with experienced naturalists! All walks begin from the Clearwater Nature Center.
10 am Fascinating Fung
11 am Birds of Field and Forest
1 pm Reading the Woods
2 pm Amphibians and Reptiles
3 pm Ferns, Trees and Wildflowers

General information: This event is free, open to the public and anyone can participate. Occurrence data will be recorded through iNaturalist. There is a free app available through your cellphone app store. Please download the app in advance. You can come for a single event or stay all day! We will compile species occurrence data from the entire weekend.

A BioBlitz is an inventory of the living things recorded in a location during a narrow period of time. We will be documenting as many naturally occurring species as possible from the Louise F Cosca Regional Park including the Clearwater Nature Center.

What you will need: Most events will take place outdoors so please come prepared to be outside in the weather. Sun protection and bug spray. Water and snacks. Camera or cellphone camera for recording observations

This event is being organized by Maryland Biodiversity Project, Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation, & The Mycological Association of Washington DC.

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

MNPS Field Trip: Ferns of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park (SUNDAY) (06/21/2026)

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Leaders: Thayer Young and Judy Fulton
Co-sponsoring organization: Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park

Location: Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Baltimore, Maryland

Description: Spend the first day of summer getting to know the oldest plant species in the park. Bring your father to this walk to celebrate Father's Day on a relaxing botanizing pace! On most walks, we admire the flowering plants that arose in the age of the dinosaurs; ferns go back much further. The first ferns appeared in the Devonian and Carboniferous periods, when plants ruled the world, and the great coal beds were being laid down. Join us to meet the living descendants of Earth's earliest vascular plants.

We expect to check out 11 of the 13 fern species that Thayer Young has documented in the park, along with other plants. Check on the following hand out to learn how to tell them apart: Dwight Johnson’s key to common ferns of Maryland. https://mdflora.org/PlantInfo/fernkey.html(downloadable in pdf). Judy has also produced a table of fern characteristics that will be handed out.

Difficulty Level and/or Mileage: _1.6 mi_230 feet of elevation gain

Leader bios: Thayer Young is the Friends of Gwynns/Falls Leakin Park's resident naturalist. His day job is making maps and databases for small nonprofits, but he also loves to identify plants.

Judy Fulton is the founder of EcoPlant Consulting, President of the Maryland Native Plant Society, and a member of the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council. She co-authored the widely recognized Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, Field Guide and the prize-winning Maryland Native Plant Guide, Piedmont Region. She also helped create the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool website

For additional information: thayeray@yahoo.com, 443-934-2119

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 20 people. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: We will mostly stay on trails, with a few short ventures off-trail to reach the ferns. One stretch is steep and rocky; plus there will be some poison ivy. So please wear sturdy closed shoes with good ankle support. Ticks and biting insects are active this time of year, so dress accordingly. Portable toilets are available at the parking lot, and the flush restrooms at the Carrie Murray Nature Center may be open during our walk.

Additional Information: There is an ADA-size porta potty at the parking lot. Carrie Murray Nature Center may be open, and it has flush toilet. Submission of photos and plant lists after walks or workshops are welcome.

Weather 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

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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 Special Event: Botanical Terminology for Sedge (Carex) Identification by Sean Sipple (Wednesday - Zoom) (06/24/2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Sean Sipple

This is a special event. Unlike our regular monthly programs, this event will start at 7:00 and end around 8:00.

During this optional virtual session associated with the Sedge (Carex) Identification Workshop on June 27th at the Adkins Arboretum, we will go over the most essential botanical terms and techniques used to identify sedges (Carex spp.) in dichotomous keys. This session is encouraged for people less familiar with botanical terminology, or people less familiar with sedges in particular. This session will be open to the general public, not just for workshop participants. However, If you would like to attend the June 27th workshop you will have to register online for the 25 slots available.

About the Speaker

Sean is a Senior Environmental Scientist with over 22 years of experience. He co-leads the NRT and oversees CRI’s water quality and biomonitoring studies in non-tidal and tidal habitats, with broad expertise in natural resources disciplines such as rare, threatened, and endangered species and habitat surveys, waters of the U.S. (including wetlands) delineations, and mitigation monitoring. Sean conducts, reviews, and assembles complex natural resource studies related to residential, commercial, transportation, and utility projects, both private and public. He holds numerous accredited certifications, including Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, Professional Wetland Delineator, Benthic Macroinvertebrate Taxonomy, Fish Taxonomy, Fish Crew Leader, Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor, and Small Whorled Pogonia. He is well-recognized for his technical expertise and regularly provides professional training to natural resource professionals in the region in wetland delineation, plant identification, and other technical disciplines.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

We can accommodate the first 300 people who enter the Zoom meeting at the meeting time. After you register, you will receive a registration confirmation email with a link to the Zoom meeting. Registering does not guarantee a space in the Zoom meeting.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

Note that if you donate through the event registration, and subsequently cancel, the donation will temporarily appear as a credit. It will take time for the donation to be reinstituted to your account. Donations and membership dues are non-refundable.

TNC Cranesville Swamp Volunteer Work Days (06/26/2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us for a group work day in this unique boreal swamp habitat! Together, we'll combat non-native invasive species such as autumn olive that are found on the preserve.

You may volunteer for one or both days, and stay for whatever portion is convenient for you. Work will take place on Friday June 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and on Saturday June 27 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

For more information about this important work contact: volunteerwv@tnc.org. To register as a volunteer, please follow this link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wW2-eY7Xu0uyK9mUwKQXpwqcVZ-ZqsFGs9lDpf20qdNUNzJXMkg4TjdYM0dINFo0SVpSTDBESjBGRi4u

MNPS Field Trip: Sedge (Carex) Identification Workshop (Saturday) (06/27/2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

There are 178 species of sedges (Carex spp.) in Maryland and over 480 species in North America, making it the single largest plant genus on the continent! This workshop will be a hands-on botanical exploration of Carex at the Adkins Arboretum. Associated with this workshop, we will hold a virtual presentation previously (date TBD) to go over basic botanical terminology, this virtual session will be optional for workshop participants. During the workshop, botanical terminology will be spoken, researched, learned and discussed. Previous reading and studying of Carex morphology terminology is highly encouraged. For more experienced participants or people that would like to dive deeper in the botany of Carex, we recommend purchasing applications like Flora of Virginia or FloraQuest (for our region). This workshop will be led by botanist and environmental scientist Sean Sipple.

Leaders: Jorge Bogantes Montero jmontero@anacostiaws.org(202)560-6107 and Sean Sipple (seans@cri.biz)

Sean is a Senior Environmental Scientist with over 23 years of experience. He co-leads the Natural Resources Department and oversees CRI’s water quality and biomonitoring studies in non-tidal and tidal habitats, with broad expertise in natural resources disciplines such as rare, threatened, and endangered species and habitat surveys, waters of the U.S. (including wetlands) delineations, and mitigation monitoring. Sean conducts, reviews, and assembles complex natural resource studies related to residential, commercial, transportation, and utility projects, both private and public. He holds numerous accredited certifications, including Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, Professional Wetland Delineator, Benthic Macroinvertebrate Taxonomy, Fish Taxonomy, Fish Crew Leader, Qualified Bog Turtle Surveyor, and Small Whorled Pogonia. He is well-recognized for his technical expertise and regularly provides professional training to natural resource professionals in the region in wetland delineation, plant identification, and other technical disciplines.

Location: Adkins Arboretum.

Notes: It is recommended that you attend the Zoom session (date TBD) that we will offer on Carex botanical terminology or that you practice ID/become familiar with keys (with the apps recommended) and terminology before the event.

Optional but recommended resources: floraquest app (you have to purchase it and make sure you purchase the one for the northern tier which covers our region): https://ncbg.unc.edu/research/unc-herbarium/flora-apps/ or Flora of Virginia (you have to purchase it) https://floraofvirginia.org/flora-app

For additional information: Jorge Bogantes Montero jmontero@anacostiaws.org (202)560-6107 and Sean Sipple (seans@cri.biz)

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 25 people. Registration through May 16 for members only. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring water bottle, insect/tick repellent, sunscreen. Outdoor clothes, closed-toe shoes, and rain gear depending on weather forecast.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle, but will be canceled if heavy rain or thunderstorm

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MNPS Monthly Program: Poplar Island and mid-Bay Restoration Projects by Dr. Lorie Staver (06/30/2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Dr. Lorie Staver

Many islands in Chesapeake Bay have been lost to erosion over the last two centuries, due in large part to sea level rise. The mid-Atlantic region is a global hotspot for sea level rise, threatening the sustainability of tidal marshes which provide many ecosystem services and vital habitat for a variety of species. One effort to counteract the loss of tidal marsh in Chesapeake Bay involves re-creating some of these islands using material dredged during navigation channel maintenance. This presentation will cover some background on sea level rise to provide context for the marsh restoration efforts at Poplar Island, located in Talbot County, Maryland, the first large-scale, long-term restoration project of its kind in Chesapeake Bay.

About the Speaker

Lorie Staver is an Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory. She is a systems ecologist studying the restoration of aquatic ecosystems, including submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) and tidal marsh habitats. She has studied the Poplar Island marshes since 2003, when the first marsh was completed, in collaboration with other faculty at Horn Point and the many management agencies involved in the "resurrection" of Poplar Island.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

Weed or Wildflower? (07/01/2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

TNC Cranesville Swamp Volunteer Work Day (07/10/2026)

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join us for a group work day in this unique boreal swamp habitat! Together, we'll combat non-native invasive species such as autumn olive that are found on the preserve.

You may help for whatever portion is convenient for you. Work will take place on Friday July 10 from 12:00 am to 4:00 pm.

MNPS Chapter Launch Party (Saturday) (07/11/2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We are launching the Montgomery County chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society!

We invite you to join us at our first brainstorming and planning meeting at this exciting time in the Society's history.

We'll talk about scheduling meetings, social gatherings, field trips and educational events. Bring your ideas and come enjoy some time with us. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Location: Nature Forward, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Reservations are not required, but will help us plan for the meeting

For more information: Jill Fonda Allen: jill.fonda.cgc@gmail.com

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please send Jill your ideas.

We hope to see you, so together we can promote awareness, appreciation and conservation of native plants in our local Montgomery County parks and neighborhoods.

Jill Fonda Allen
Heidi Hayes
Lauren Hubbard
Bradley Simpson
Pru Foster

Weed or Wildflower? (07/13/2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

MNPS Field Trip: Piney Grove: Restoring a Historic Shore Farm into Thriving Meadows Along the Chester River. (SATURDAY) (07/18/2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

AN EASTERN SHORE CHAPTER EVENT.

Leader: Larisa Prezioso
Property owner: Jennifer Lieber

Location: Piney Grove Farm, Chestertown. MD

Description: Located in an environmentally sensitive area along the Chester River, Piney Grove is home to migratory birds and waterfowl, threatened species like quail and wild turkey, and native deer, fox, herons and more. A family farm for more than two centuries; conservation is essential to the stewardship of Piney Grove. This former row crop farm, essential to the Eastern Shore landscape, has been converted over the past five years to native pollinator and grassland meadows with the help of the Natural Lands Project and the Conservation Reserve Program. Please join us for a tour of these spectacular native meadows. We thank the homeowners to open this private property for the MNPS field trip.
OPTIONAL: The owner has graciously invited the group for a visit to the main house after the walk and refreshments. https://www.pineygroveevents.com/history

Larisa's Bio: Larisa Prezioso is Director of Land Conservation at Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), a non-profit accredited land trust whose mission is to conserve, steward and advocate for the unique rural landscape of the Eastern Shore. At ESLC, she provides leadership for land protection, stewardship, and restoration programs. She also manages and coordinates acquisition and conservation easement projects. Originally from Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Larisa started her relationship with the Eastern Shore by attending Washington College in Chestertown, graduating with a degree in Environmental Science and Ecology. Outside of work, Larisa is a master naturalist and docent volunteer at Adkins Arboretum.

For additional information: Please reach out to Cristina Niciporciukas at cnicipo71@outlook.com or 973-216-5216

FREE EVENT

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 20 people. Registration Deadline: 07/16

Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Bring: Please bring binoculars, hat, water and snacks. Please wear hat, boots and use insect/tick repellant. We will mostly follow well maintained paths but even those can have ticks.

Cancellation Policy: Event will proceed in drizzle but be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorm; cancellation will be emailed at least 3 hours before meeting time.

MNPS Monthly Program: Considering Climate Change in Landscape Planning and Management Decisions by Dr. Dan Buonauito (07/28/2026)

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Dr. Dan Buonauito

Considering Climate Change in Native Plant Landscape Planning and Management Decisions

Sustainable native planting means choosing species that are suited to both current and future climates to support native wildlife, ecosystem services and to increase climate resilience. In a world that is rapidly changing, many native species are not keeping pace, potentially putting ecological communities at risk. In this session, we'll discuss larger trends in plant migrations related to climate change and explore emerging research about how people can be part of the story.

Dan Buonaiuto is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland College Park and the statewide specialist in invasive plant biology at University of Maryland Extension.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

Weed or Wildflower? (07/31/2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (08/11/2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

MNPS Monthly Program: Rachel Carson’s Wonder, Wisdom, and Local Legacy by Rebecca Henson (08/25/2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Rebecca Henson, Spring Song Museum

Rachel Carson (1907‒1964) was a world-renowned writer and trained biologist and is considered by many as the mother of the modern environmental movement. She lived her adult life in Maryland, first as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins and then moving to Montgomery County for closer proximity to her civil service work in College Park and Washington, DC. This talk will provide an overview of Carson's life and written works, discussing her courage, ecological philosophy, and clear-eyed wonder in the natural world around us, including the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, Rock Creek Park, and the Chesapeake Bay. It will also explore why Carson wrote her final book, Silent Spring, how it succeeded in shifting public perception about the environment, and where she had hoped her career would go next. Rebecca will briefly share the plans for the creation of the Springsong Museum in Silver Spring, a vibrant community museum celebrating Rachel Carson, a place where visitors of all ages will connect to the natural world through her work and example.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rebecca Henson founded Springsong Museum in 2021 with the mission of creating a museum that connects community and nature through the wonder and wisdom of Rachel Carson and to bring new life to a previously vacant historic industrial building and site in Silver Spring. Before Springsong, Rebecca worked at Nature Forward's Woodend Sanctuary helping to run the nature bookshop, consulted for the nonprofit Ceres, and led environmental screening and advocacy at Calvert Investments for 9 years. A Maryland Master Naturalist, she is a current board member of Neighbors of the Northwest Branch, the watershed organization stewarding a major tributary of the Anacostia River. She enjoys serving as a judge for Maryland History Day. Rebecca has a BA in History from Vanderbilt University and an MA from the University of Bath (UK) in Politics, Policy, and Society focused on comparative environmental policy and was named a 2026-2027 Beinecke Research Fellow at Yale University for her work with the Rachel Carson Papers. She believes deeply in leaning in to wherever it is one lives.

This meeting is hybrid. We ask that you register for your preferred option; after registering, you will get Zoom login information and in person location information.

Co-sponsor: The University of Maryland Extension with host Lisa Kuder

Physical location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center (CMREC)
4240 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Directions: Enter the building at the front door under the portico. (The door next to the parking lot will be locked.)

The program is free and open to the public.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

If you enjoy MNPS programs, please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

Weed or Wildflower? (08/26/2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

Weed or Wildflower? (09/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Save the Date!

Registration will be required, registration will open in June

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.

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

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

Saturday, September 12 Evening presentation and dinner

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips across Maryland

2026 MNPS Conference Field Trips (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

Registering for this event, you will choose both Saturday and Sunday field trip options.

All guests must also be registered for the conference.

We reserve the right to cancel your registration if you are not also registered for the conference.

Saturday Field Trips are from 1-5 p.m.

Sunday Field Trips start & end time varies. See description.

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Save the Date!

Registration will be required, registration will open in June

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.

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

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

Saturday, September 12 Evening presentation and dinner

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips across Maryland

MNPS 2026 Annual Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Save the Date!

Registration will be required, registration will open in June

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.

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

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

Saturday, September 12 Evening presentation and dinner

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips across Maryland

2026 MNPS Conference Field Trips (09/13/2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS.

Registering for this event, you will choose both Saturday and Sunday field trip options.

All guests must also be registered for the conference.

We reserve the right to cancel your registration if you are not also registered for the conference.

Saturday Field Trips are from 1-5 p.m.

Sunday Field Trips start & end time varies. See description.

Weed or Wildflower? (09/23/2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

An Outdoor Volunteer & Learning Activity

Leaders: Christine Campe-Price, Friends of New Germany State Park & Liz McDowell, MNPS

No registration.

MNPS Monthly Program: Floral Biographies and Urban Foraging Portfolios by Dr. Martha Weiss (09/29/2026)

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Dr. Martha Weiss

Floral Biographies and Urban Foraging Portfolios: Strategies to Make Botany Relevant, Relatable, and FUN for Plant Agnostics.

Dr. Weiss will talk about some of the strategies she has developed over the years to make botany interesting and relevant for students who otherwise would not give plants a second thought. Among other things, she'll describe exercises focusing on a close examination of floral behavior, and will highlight some of her favorite fall foraging treats.

Dr. Martha Weiss is a professor of biology at Georgetown University, where she studies plant-insect interactions and tries to sneak a dose of botany into every course she teaches, regardless of the subject. She received a BA in geological sciences from Harvard University, a PhD in botany from the University of California, Berkeley, and postdoctoral training in insect behavior from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Her research derives from a close observation of nature and centers around experimental exploration of questions in insect ecology and plant–animal interactions.

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!

MNPS Monthly Program: Weed Warriors: Volunteers in Action by Corinne Stephens (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

TO DUPLICATE: Click on the Arrow next to the Edit button. If you are already in edit mode, cancel and Duplicate this event)

Speaker: Corinne Stephens

Want to tackle invasive plants? Weed Warrior programs with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission empower community members to take an active role in conserving parks by removing invasive plant species.

This talk will highlight the long-running Weed Warrior program at Montgomery Parks, established in 1999, alongside the newly launched program at the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. We’ll cover the core components of successful Weed Warrior programs, strategies for engaging and supporting volunteers, and key lessons learned. We'll also provide insights and considerations for building or strengthening volunteer-driven invasive plant management programs as well as ways to get involved.

Corinne Stephens, Natural Resources Specialist III, manages the Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Volunteer Program that empowers and trains community members to help Montgomery Parks staff manage non-native, invasive plants on parkland. Corinne spent over 15 years in the enviro non-profit sector and has over 22 years of experience in partnership building, community engagement, volunteer management, and wildlife habitat conservation. Corinne has been a lifelong volunteer and was a past president of Friends of Sligo Creek. She holds a BS in animal science and environmental policy from Rutgers University and an MS in wildlife policy from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. For her Master’s, she worked with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to document the exact locations and risk factors involved in turtle road mortality!

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK

Zoom opens at 7:00PM for pre-program board update and member Q&A. Presentations begin at 7:30PM and generally run until 8:45PM.

The program is free and open to the public.

This will be recorded and available on our Webinars page.

If you enjoy MNPS programs please consider clicking here to make a donation. And don't forget to renew your membership!