Chapters in Maryland

Start reconnecting with nature as spring quickly approaches through a pair of hands-on virtual workshops. We recommend you attend both sessions but if possible although not strictly required. 

Registration link allows you to attend both sessions - be sure to save your confirmation email.

Session 2, Thursday, February 19: Small Actions for Connection
Build off of Session 1 with Wild Ones Delmarva President and certified permaculture practitioner Concetta Gibson to learn small actions that you can take to feel present and connected with the nature around you through collecting, preserving and using native or culinary herbs.
Bring your own materials: a few fresh and dried plant leaves collected or purchased ethically (details in Session 1) 

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Session 1, Thursday, February 12: Nature Journaling
Join Wild Ones Delmarva Vice President and Master Naturalist Dona Sorce to reflect on your personal connections to nature with a discussion and guided nature journaling session.
Bring your own materials: writing and/or art utensils and something to use them on (lined paper, art paper, etc)

"Working with Landscapers panel" ---How to make the best use of my garden?  What should I ask?  What should I share about my property and about what I want? 

 Backyard Bounty (Kris Colby) Puts together low-cost packages 

Kris has been a very active member of our Wild Ones chapter.  He has given us many ideas and support for our initiatives through our listserv.  He runs a company which gives many levels of service from consulting, landscape design, installation and even maintenance to his broad range of clients throughout Maryland. 

Native PlantScapes (Robert Severynse) 30-minute free consultation Owned by a Virginia Tech graduate with specialists in the DMV.

Native Plant Specialist Rob has always admired nature and found his love of native plants while studying at college. With degrees in Environmental Science and Geography, as well as a minor in Meteorology, his goal is to create positive and lasting changes in our natural world. 

Lauren Hubbard Planning Specialist III with the Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Program Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection

 Marianne Borelli (not a landscaper, by appointment only) grows plants in her backyard and offers ideas to those who buy from her, including landscapers. She is not in town on the day of the panel but she told me to let you know that it is not just the condition of the plants but also the behavior of them that is important for your garden.

Bee Knees (Lolly Jewet) designs and acts to project manage the contractors who do the work.   Lolly transitioned to landscape design from a career in international development. She appreciates the way landscape design uses both the creative and the analytical sides of her brain, and the way working with native plants allows us to benefit the environment while surrounding ourselves with beauty. 

DC Natives---non-profit encouraging pollinator gardening and vegetable gardening in DC.  Our Wild Ones may like this model of how they bring communities together.   (Contact has been made with board member who will provide someone for the panel)

12:00-12:30pm Registration/Socializing/Informal Seed Share*
12:30-2:00pm Speaker
2:00-2:30pm Socializing/Clean-up/Informal Seed Share*

*Before/after the event there will be a table set up to share native plant seeds. Please bring seeds or winter sowing containers (especially translucent plastic 1 gallon milk/water jugs) to share if you have them. You are welcome to take seeds regardless of if you have any to share.

The long awaited "Maryland Native Plant Guide: Piedmont Guide” will be available for purchase at this event.  The books are being sold by the Maryland Native Plant Society with all funds going back to the the UMd Extension Office which produced this excellent resource.  Guildes will cost $10. Cash only, please.

The Winter Speaker Series is free and open to the public, but please register below on Eventbrite. 

Note: An optional donation of $5 - $10 at the event is appreciated to help offset the cost of the program.

Winter is the perfect time to plan your garden, and spring will be here soon! Join us to ask questions, share your successes and meet other native plant garden enthusiasts.

We welcome gardeners at all stages of native gardening from beginner to expert as we share our knowledge and experiences with each other.

Everyone is welcome! You do not need to be a Wild Ones member to attend.

Co-hosted by Adkins Arboretum. In-person presentation with virtual participation option.

60-minute presentation will be followed by a trail walk for in-person participants only to see the Beaver Deceiver device at Adkins Arboretum. 

In-person RSVP here

Virtual registration required here

Beavers, once nearly eliminated from the Chesapeake Bay watershed, are returning and becoming central to Maryland’s modern, ecology‑driven stream restoration efforts. Their natural dam‑building slows water, traps sediment, filters nutrients, and creates wetlands that support diverse wildlife — making them a keystone species.  

We will discuss how beavers and homeowners can work together to restore habitat on private land, including making their land friendly to beavers so that the restoration happens in tandem, instead of thinking of beavers as a nuisance or just paying contractors to do their beavers' jobs.

The talk will cover:

Intro Beaver Coexistence 

Beaver 101 – an ecological engineer 

Problems with the Chesapeake Bay and our regional watersheds 

Understanding the rodent that shaped America’s landscapes 

The role that the beaver played in maintaining water quality and habitat 

Post-Colonial alteration of Maryland’s hydrologic systems 

Promoting restoration techniques that emulate beaver ecology 

How you can help

About our speaker, Claudia Donegan:

Claudia Donegan has worked over 36 years throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed as educator, stream scientist, public policy coordinator and implementing ecological restoration projects in tidal and nontidal environments. Presently she serves as the Director of the Center for Habitat Restoration and Conservation in Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake and Coastal Service, spearheading and implementing ecosystem restoration projects throughout the state. Claudia lives in Tunis Mills, MD.

Members Robin Madel and Sue Williams will present infomation regarding the best native plants for local Coastal Plain Gardens. Google Slides, handouts and time for questions will be provided.