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 Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or info@....   Or visit the chapter web site at www.mdflora.org/chapters.  

2008 Schedule of Native Plant Happenings in our Region (February 5, 2008)

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

Feb 19

Appalachian Laboratory 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.  Ms. Durkin 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 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.  

April 15

New Germany State Park at 7 pm

Integrating Ecological and Ethnobotanical Approaches to American and Butternut Restoration

Speaker – Sunshine L. Brosi, Ethnobotany Program Coordinator, Frostburg State University

During her presentation, Brosi will discuss silvicultural, biological, and social aspects of chestnut and butternut restoration.  She will present results from seven year old chestnut plantings in Pennsylvania and Kentucky on surface mines, clearcuts, log landings, and natural gap openings.  Ms. Brosi will also share research on preserving and restoring butternut trees while maintaining a supply of material for traditional Cherokee Indian artisans in western North Carolina.  She will discuss how these integrated approaches can also be applied to other threatened species in Maryland.  In addition to her faculty position at FSU, Brosi is actively involved in the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies (ACES) a collaborative, inter-institutional effort devoted to multidisciplinary study and conservation of native plants.  Her program will begin immediately following a brief MNPS chapter business meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.

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. 

April 18

Bear Pen Wildlands from 9 am to noon

Battling Botanical Bullies

Adult volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest.  Bear Pen is designated as a Type 1 Wildland and like other natural areas around the State is threatened by a variety of exotic invasive species.  Kerrie Kyde, Invasive Plant Specialist with the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service, is providing technical support.  Larry Maxim, Savage River State Forest manager, is providing work tools.  Mike Gregory, Big Run & New Germany State Park manager, is providing free camping the night before for any out-of-town volunteers.  Elk Ridge NatureWorks is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers with assistance from the Savage River Watershed Association.  For more details or to register, contact Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686 or info@.... 

April 26

The Glades Preserve in Garrett County from 10 am to 4 pm

Red Spruce Restoration

Help The Nature Conservancy as they transport red spruce seedlings rescued from a West Virginia right-of-way and replant them on a beautiful preserve. The Glades used to be covered with spruce before intensive logging striped them from the landscape. This is the first of a 3-year "follow-up" planting effort at this preserve.  From 1996-1998, TNC planted 14,000 red spruce seedlings at The Glades.  In order to create some age diversity among these trees, they are now returning to the site to plant another 3-year round of seedlings.  The work day will involve some walking, but no steep hills.  Children as young as fourth-graders can do a great job and kids of any age are welcome to come along just for the fun of it. Sign up at dlandau@...

May 10 & 11

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.  Sorry, but no pets allowed and no rest rooms available. For more information contact Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or info@....

May 24 & 25

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

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

June 14 & 15

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

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

June 17

Finzel Swamp at 7 pm

Focus on Finzel

The Western Mountain Chapter of MNPS will meet outside to explore this unusual shrub swamp owned by The Nature Conservancy.  Finzel Swamp is located in a landscape feature called a "frost pocket".  It lies at high elevation (2700') in a poorly drained depression surrounded by hills.  This combination provides more moisture and cooler temperatures compared with other areas on the Allegheny Plateau.  As such Finzel Swamp is home to state-rare northern vegetation, including Canadian burnet, wild calla, and larch.  It also supports state-rare breeding birds such as the alder flycatcher and saw-whet owl.  Wear waterproof footwear; bring insect repellant and a flashlight. Sorry, but no pets allowed and no rest rooms available.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 29 and head north on Route 546 for ~ 1.5 miles.  Turn right onto Cranberry Swamp Road (just past ballfield) and follow signs for TNC property. Parking is limited so please car pool.   

June 20

Bear Pen Wildlands from 9 am to noon

Battling Botanical Bullies

Adult volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest.  Bear Pen is designated as a Type 1 Wildland and like other natural areas around the State is threatened by a variety of exotic invasive species.  Kerrie Kyde, Invasive Plant Specialist with the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service, is providing technical support.  Larry Maxim, Savage River State Forest manager, is providing work tools.  Mike Gregory, Big Run & New Germany State Park manager, is providing free camping the night before for any out-of-town volunteers.  Elk Ridge NatureWorks is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers with assistance from the Savage River Watershed Association.  For more details or to register, contact Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686 or info@.... 

July 19 & 20

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

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

August 16 & 17

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

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

August 19
Appalachian Laboratory at 7 pm
Title to be announced 

Speaker – Caroline Blizzard, Director of the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center

Our guest speaker will be discussing the monarch-milkweed connection.  More details to follow as they become available.

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.  

September 13 & 14

Elk Ridge NatureWorks from 9 am to 3 pm

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

October 21
Appalachian Laboratory at 7 pm
Speaker and topic to be announced