Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

MNPS Field Trip: Green Ridge Ramble (Saturday) (07/11/2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Leaders: Kevin Speray and Jessica Klotz, MNPS

Description: Join the Western Mountains Chapter of the Maryland Native Plant Society on a car caravan excursion through Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany County, MD. From our meeting point we'll carpool to various spots, taking short walks to view the interesting flora. Green Ridge is the largest contiguous block of public land in MD and the only State Forest in the Ridge & Valley Physiographic Province. This field trip involves up to a mile of walking on easy to moderately difficult terrain.

Kevin Speray is the owner of Wild Indigo Native Nursery in Grantsville, Maryland. He is also a Natural Resources Technician with the Maryland Park Service and worked previously as the head naturalist at Swallow Falls State Park and as a field technician with the Maryland Natural Heritage Program, where he helped conduct endangered species surveys and performed habitat management at sensitive sites around the state. His wife Jessica Klotz is an avid naturalist who has a particular passion for birds and insects, and whose curiosity about the Maryland flora was sparked when she realized the relationship between native plants and insect diversity. She is an active member of the Mountain Laurel Garden club and has a master’s degree in environmental management.

Note: There are public restrooms at the meeting location.

For additional information: Contact Kevin Speray at wildindigonativeplants@gmail.com

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 13 people. Registration through July 4 for members only. Directions will be included in registration confirmation.

Cancellation Policy: the trip will proceed in drizzle, but will be canceled if heavy rain or thunderstorm is forecast; 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 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

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 Field Trip: Summer Meadow at Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Sunday) (07/26/2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Rachel Carson Conservation Park is a 650-acre park dedicated to environmental preservation. It is named to honor renowned environmentalist, Rachel Carson, who lived and worked in Montgomery County. One of the park's most notable features is a 30 acre restored meadow. Join plant enthusiasts and weed warriors Jill Fonda Allen and Fred Proctor, as well as Lauren Hubbard, plant scientist, as we explore the meadow in its mid-summer glory.

Leader: Jill Fonda Allen, Fred Proctor, Lauren Hubbard

Location: Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Montgomery Parks)

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 18 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. This will be a moderate hike, 2.6 miles.

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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.