Maryland Native Plant Society 2026 Annual Conference
Diverse Landscape of Maryland's Piedmont and Western Shore

Event Co-Hosts: University of Maryland Extension and University of Maryland School of Landscape Architecture

The Maryland Native Plant Society's fall conference features speakers and field trips to 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.  Virtual conference registration ($30) for the morning talks is available

What’s Happening

Day 1 | Saturday, September 12

9 AM – 12 PM Speakers

10 AM – 2 PM Native Plant Sale in Hornbake Plaza

Open to conference attendees and the public. Maryland certified native plant nurseries will be selling plants, and a botanical artist and several organizations will have tables. 

Free Parking on Saturday:  In Progress. 

Afternoon: Local field trips and workshops

• On Saturday, field trips will be within ½ hour driving distance from UMD, College Park. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been finalized. We are committed to providing accessible trip options.

The five workshops are listed below. Sign-ups for these workshops will be available when the field trips have been finalized.

• Asteraceae Identification Workshop. Clare Walker
• The Native Food Forest: Talk and Walk. Shane Brill
• Design your Native Garden with a Landscape Architect. UMD Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
• Plants to Dye For! Maile Neel
• Sketching Asters - Draw One to Know One. Jen Brown

Late afternoon/early evening: Poster session and reception

Evening ($30 add-on during registration): Dinner with presentation

The four speakers on Saturday (three morning and one evening) will be:

• Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barren: Restoration of a globally rare habitat with remarkable plants - Paula Becker, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• Conservation of Maryland’s native orchids - Melissa McCormick, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
• Restoring vernal pools and preserving their fragile habitats - Michael Hayslett, Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC

• Negative effects of pesticides on native ecosystems, plants, and animals.- Maya Korb, Natural Resources Defense Council

Day 2 | Sunday, September 13

Field trips in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore

•  On Sunday, field trips will take place at various locations in the Maryland Piedmont and Western Shore. Descriptions, leaders and sign-ups will be available when the trips have been 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) 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