Western Mountains Chapter of Maryland Native Plant Society

The Maryland Native Plant Society (MNPS) uses education, research, and community service to increase awareness and appreciation of native plants and their habitats leading to their conservation and restoration.  Membership is open to all who are interested in Maryland's native plants and their habitats.  Preserving Maryland's natural heritage, increasing knowledge about native plants, and helping to further the Society's mission are our goals.  MNPS sponsors monthly meetings, workshops, field trips, and an annual fall conference.  For more information, visit www.mdflora.org

The Western Mountains Chapter has formed to expand the efforts of MNPS on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge & Valley physiographic provinces of the central-Appalachians.  Residents of western Maryland, nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and anyone else interested in learning more about and conserving the native plants of this region are invited to join.  For more information contact Brian Boyd at 301-501-0684 or  baboyd7@... and Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or info@....   Or visit the chapter web site at www.mdflora.org/chapters.  

2007 Schedule of Native Plant Happenings in our Region (revised March 1, 2007)

Please note that monthly MNPS meeting locations may change due to scheduling conflicts beyond our control.  We will do our best to keep you advised.   For the most current schedule updates click on http://www.elkridgenatureworks.com/news.htm

April 13

Bear Pen Wildlands from 9 am to noon

Battling Botanical Bullies

Volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest. Kerrie Kyde, DNR Invasive Plant Specialist, is providing technical support.  Elk Ridge NatureWorks is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers.  For more details or to register, contact Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686 or info@.... 

April 14

Cranesville Swamp in Garrett County from 10 am to 4 pm

Spruce Planting Workday 2

Help The Nature Conservancy plant spruce seedlings rescued from a West Virginia right-of-way and replant them in Cranesville Swamp Spruce Preserve on a beautiful north-facing slope that used to be covered with spruce before intensive logging striped them from the landscape.   This is the last year of their 5-year Global ReLeaf grant, so it may be your last chance to help them get these trees in the ground!  The work area is on a hillside, so you can hike up as far as you'd like to go, or just stay down near the cars.   Children as young as fourth-graders do a great job, and kids of any age are welcome to come along just for the fun of it.  Sign up at dlandau@...

April 17

New Germany State Park at 7 pm

Saving Maryland�s Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

Speaker - Pat Durkin, Founder and Director of the Baltimore Checkerspot Restoration Project

When the beautiful orange-and-black checkered Baltimore Checkerspot was named Maryland�s official state insect in 1973, the butterfly was common in much of Maryland in its upland, wet meadow habitat.  Since then, however, the species has dwindled precipitously through the Mid-Atlantic, the consequences of development pressures, deer over-population, gypsy moth control, and other factors.  Once known in 15 Maryland counties, the butterfly has recently been found in only five.  Pat will discuss the Baltimore Checkerspot�s fascinating natural history, its larval host plants and what is being done to improve its outlook in Maryland and the region.  Her program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 22 and follow signs for New Germany State Park.  Turn left into the park onto McAndrews Hill Road.  The meeting will be held in the lakehouse.  Parking is available in Lots # 4 or 5; there are also handicap accessible parking spaces at the lakehouse. 

May 12 & 13

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

Plant It & They Will Come!

Tour the native plant nursery and wildlife garden at Elk Ridge NatureWorks to see a variety of conservation landscaping and wildlife habitat practices you can use to enhance biodiversity around your home, school, or office.  Experience the joys of conservation landscaping: a garden filled with bees, birds, butterflies and beautiful plants.   Free guided tours at 10 am, noon and 2 pm.  For more information contact Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or info@....

May 26 & 27

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

Plant It & They Will Come! (See previous description).

June 15

Bear Pen Wildlands from 9 am to noon

Battling Botanical Bullies ( See previous description)

June 16

New Germany State Park

The Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies

This will be an all day workshop; more information will be available shortly.

June 19

Appalachian Laboratory at 7 pm

Title to be announces

Speaker - Chris Pax, Pax Garden Design 

Chris will be speaking about landscaping with native plants.  A full description will be available shortly.  Her program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit).  Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road).  There is plenty of parking in front of the building.  

June 23 & 24

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

Plant It & They Will Come! (See previous description)

July 19

Route 40 Elementary School at 7 pm

Alien Invasion

Speaker - Liz McDowell, Environmental Specialist and Co-owner of Elk Ridge NatureWorks

It was just a trickle at first, so no one noticed. Now it�s a raging torrent that seems impossible to stop. Aliens have invaded our forests, parks, backyards, and even our homes. Where did they come from? When did they arrive? How will they change our world? These and other questions will be answered as Liz discusses the exotic invasive species in the Savage River watershed and how these fungi, plants and animals impact the local ecosystem.  Her program will immediately follow SRWA business meeting.
Directions: Savage River Watershed Association bimonthly meetings are held at Route 40 Elementary School.  The school is located at 17764 National Pike a few miles west of  Frostburg in Garrett County.   For more information contact Laura Haynes at 301-689-6104 or lhaynes@... , Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686 or info@..., or Jeff Conner at 301-777-9383 or jeffconner@....

July 21

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 10:00 am to noon

Harvesting Rain in Gardens & Barrels

Conserving our precious water resources really begins at home. Help stop stormwater runoff at its source by installing a rain barrel or rain garden. Learn the basics of harvesting rain and build your very own rain barrel!  Limited to 10 persons; the cost is $15 plus an optional materials fee of $35 per rain barrel; pre-registration is required. For more information call Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686.

July 27, 28 & 29

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

Plant It & They Will Come! (See previous description)

August 4 & 11

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 to noon

Wildflower Identification for Beginners

Interested in knowing the names of the wonderful wildflowers you encounter in forest and field?  Then take this basic class where you'll learn to actually key-out local plants using the popular Newcomb's Wildflower Guide.  This hands-on, two-session class for wildflower enthusiasts is limited to 6 persons and costs $40; pre-registration is required.  For more information call Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686.

August 21
Appalachian Laboratory at 7 pm
Title to be announced
Speaker to be announced

Program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit).  Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road).  There is plenty of parking in front of the building.  

August 25 & 26

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

Plant It & They Will Come! (See previous description)

September 15 & 16

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

Plant It & They Will Come! (See previous description)

September 29

Frostburg University

Maryland Native Plant Society Annual Conference

Details to follow.

October 16
Appalachian Laboratory at 7 pm
Title to be announced
Speaker to be announced

Program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit).  Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road).  There is plenty of parking in front of the building.