MNPS Field Trip: Wetland Meadow Exploration (Saturday)

Leader: Rod Simmons and Bradley Simpson

Location: Sawmill Creek Park

Explore a wet meadow within a powerline strip full of uncommon wildflowers and poison sumac (which we will see from afar). We will explore a nearby forested area as well with Allegheny chinquapin.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 15 people. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, socks over bottoms of pants to exclude ticks, sunhat.

Bring: Sunscreen, insect repellant, water bottles.

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

For information: Bradley Simpson, email: bsimpso2@umd.edu

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.

Bradley Simpson, MNPS Board Member and Habitat Manager at Nature Forward is a graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy concentrating in Wildlife Ecology and Management. His work in the plant field has included research as well as active management of an urban forest. He has conducted urban forest research in New York City and at Woodend Nature Sanctuary, categorizing thousands of plants in the process. Currently, he manages the restoration of Woodend’s natural habitats, specifically the 29 acres of forest and shares his knowledge of plants through many education programs. He is also in the process of obtaining a master’s degree from UMD to deepen his understanding of urban forest ecology.

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