Maryland Native Plant Society upcoming events

MNPS Field Trip: Limestone Bluffs at McMahon's Mill (Thursday) (09/17/2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Leader: Mary Ann Daly, Western Mountains Chapter of MNPS

Description: Around McMahon's Mill, limestone bluffs front the Potomac with little or no land between river and rock. Below the mill, where the towpath juts out over the river, we'll get a close look at the flora of the adjacent bluffs (without having to scale them). We should see some cliff specialists, such as Alumroots and Allegheny Stonecrop, and limestone lovers, such as Aromatic Asters and Fragrant Sumac. Trees include Common Hackberry, Slippery Elm, and Common Juniper, sometimes growing from clefts in sheer rock, alone or with other plants. Staying on the towpath, we'll stroll downstream until about noon, then retrace our steps. Dues to limited parking at McMahon's Mill, we will carpool from the Downsville Ruritan Park. This field trip involves about 2 miles of walking on easy terrain.

Mary Ann Daly is a retired technology specialist and lifelong student of wild plants. Since moving to Washington County in 2017, she's come to appreciate the special ecosystems of the area.

Note: There are public restrooms at both the carpool meeting place and final destination.

For additional information: Contact Mary Ann Daly at madaly@verizon.net

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Limited to 14 people. Registration through August 31 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 Field Trip: Orchid, art and the tree that started it all (SAT) (09/26/2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT

AN EASTERN SHORE CHAPTER EVENT.

Leaders: Leslie Cario and Cristina Niciporciukas

Location: Adkins Arboretum

Kick off your day at Adkins Arboretum with a fast, vibrant walk through the North Meadow, an early succession landscape alive with shifting light, grasses, and emerging wildflowers. We will look for the Nodding Ladies’-tresses—one of six native orchids at Adkins and a newly reported addition to the Adkins flora. Also, a grove of the Over cup Oak, the oak species that helped spark the Arboretum’s founding vision. Along the way, we will explore two of Adkins’ newest spaces: the Nestled in Nature gathering spot, designed by Campion Hruby Landscape Architects with artistic contributions from ceramicist Mike Pugh and craftsman Peter Battcock, and Woodhenge, a developing public art installation by Vicco von Voss. Crafted from six slabs of a lightning struck tree, Woodhenge blends art, nature, and community—symbolizing resilience, transformation, and the cycles of life.

Plants we will try to spot: Spiranthes cernua, Over Cup oak, Bald cypress, Green ash, Oaks of the Coastal Plains, Bluestem, Blue curls, Sweet everlasting.

And after the walk… stick around! Join Rhythm & Roots, Adkins’ afternoon beer fest—good music, good brews, and the perfect way to round out a day of orchids, oaks, and art. Come for the meadow magic—stay for the rhythm and roots. Rhythm & Roots goes from 1 to 4pm, so you can start partying as soon as you finish the walk.

Leader's brief bios: Leslie Cario is the Horticulture and Natural Lands Director at Adkins Arboretum. Cristina Niciporciukas is the Eastern Shore MNPS Chapter Chair.

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 12 people.

Bring: Please bring hat, water and snacks. 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, thunderstorm or extreme heat; cancellation will be emailed at least 3 hours before meeting time.

Field Trip: Dickel Property Tour (WED) (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:30:00 GMT

An Adkins Arboretum Event: In the Eastern Shore.

Stewarding family land for future generations.

Join certified arborist and Adkins Arboretum Board member Garrett Dickel for an evening walk through his family's 6 acre living landscape shaped by 7 years of ecological stewardship. Click below for a short video about the Dickel's property. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=6eCVBmrB2d3jEM7C&v=yghQ5xScgp8&feature=youtu.be

Explore meadows, wetlands, and woodlands while discussing native plants, habitat restoration, and practical ways to work with nature to achieve a functional, diverse, and aesthetically pleasing landscape. The walk will be on mowed trails and wood chip paths.

Carpooling and bug spray are encouraged.

Advance registration required. Exact address will be provided after registration. Register with Adkins Arboretum in the link below:
https://adkins.donorshops.com/product/dpt26/dickel-property-tour-september-30-2026

Ecological Landscaping Speaker Series & Native Garden Tours

In 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, Adkins Arboretum received funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) to provide outreach and education to local Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and the general public, supporting environmentally friendly landscaping practices.

This series was developed by building on the Naturally Better Landscaping project, in partnership with ShoreRivers, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Pickering Creek, Phillips Wharf, and Wild Ones. It is offered free of charge thanks to funding from CBT and Queen Anne’s County, and open to the general public.

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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.