Extraordinary Ecosystems of the Eastern Shore

September 6-7, 2025

Discover the unique plants and natural areas of Maryland's Eastern Shore and learn about the Herculean efforts to conserve them.

Co-sponsored by Washington College, Center for Environment and Society, Natural Lands Project.

AGENDA

Saturday:
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Check-in and breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Presentations
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Bag lunch
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Field trips

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: $30 additional fee. Evening social with student posters and dinner with Bill McAvoy’s talk on Eastern Shore Plant Communities and Habitats: From Marsh to Mounds.  Please select the Social option during registration.

Sunday:
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Field trips 

PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKERS

• Rare and Threatened Coastal Plain Species and Efforts Underway to Protect Them - Jim Brighton (Keynote Speaker)
• Threats to Unique Plants and Animals within Tidal Salt Marshes and Collaborative Conservation Efforts - Henrietta Bellman and Sophia Seufert
• Managing Early Successional Habitats to Support Declining Grassland Wildlife Species - Kathy Thornton
  
  

Registration includes the Saturday morning program, Saturday afternoon field trips, and Sunday morning field trips, as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday.  Also, visit tables to learn from Eastern Shore environmental organizations helping to preserve native plant communities in the area. The Saturday Social is an additional $30 fee.

FIELD TRIPS

These include exploration of unique plant communities of the Eastern Shore that grow on Delmarva Bays, Serpentine Barrens and Shell Middens as well as conservation efforts leading to habitat and wildlife restoration.  Registration for field trips will start at least 2 weeks prior to the conference. 

SATURDAY EVENING SOCIAL AND DINNER

The Saturday evening social and dinner is not included in the registration fee and costs an additional $30. The dinner will feature retired Delaware State Botanist Bill McAvoy’s talk on Eastern Shore Plant Communities and Habitats: From Marsh to Mounds. Before dinner, students will be presenting posters.  A cash bar will be offered during this event. 

PLANT SALES! 

A Saturday morning plant sale will take place at the meeting location. This sale will feature multiple local vendors with plant sitting provided by Wild Ones Delmarva. On Sunday, Adkins Arboretum will be hosting their fall plant sale where MNPS members will receive discounted rates. 

Washington College, Center for Environment and Society, Natural Lands Project

Sponsorships 

Sponsorships help keep the registration fees affordable. Sponsors will be provided a table for their displays as well as In Person Registration(s) depending on the level.  Sponsor logos must be provided by August 6. 

• Saltmeadow Cordgrass $250:  Provided one complimentary registration.  Your logo will be placed on the slides between presentations as well as on the Conference web page. Your literature, products samples, coupons, and promotional materials will be given to registered conference attendees.

• Marsh Elder $500: Provided two complimentary registrations. Sponsor may bring a banner to place at the Registration area. Your logo will be placed on the opening and closing slides of the conference, in between speakers as well as on the Conference web page. Your literature, products samples, coupons, and promotional materials will be given to registered conference attendees. 

• White Oak $1000: Provided five complimentary registrations. Tabling opportunity during the conference. Sponsor may bring a banner to place at the Registration area. Your logo will be placed on the opening and closing slides of the conference, in between speakers as well as on the Conference web page. Your literature, products samples, coupons, and promotional materials will be given to registered conference attendees.

• For levels that receive additional registrations, please be prepared to register them when you register as a Sponsor. Otherwise, contact Karyn Molines conference@mdflora.org for further instructions.