[MPWG] MD Native Plant Society Upcoming Meetings and Events

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

The next evening meeting of the Maryland Native Plant Society will be on:

Tuesday, January 25, 7:30 pm
Threatened Lands in Maryland and What MNPS is Doing To Protect Them
White Oak Library Large Meeting Room

Join MNPS for a presentation on significant lands in Maryland that are
currently threatened by development, roadway expansion, land-use policies,
etc., and what the society is doing to protect them.  Unique natural
features, native plants, including rare species, forests, and water
resources will be highlighted.  This a great opportunity to find out more
about land conservation in the state and what contributions one can make.
We will have several guest speakers on hand to help cover areas from the
Delmarva to Garrett County.

Directions: Exit the Washington Beltway at New Hampshire Ave (exit 28).  Go
north about 2 miles.  Once you have passed under Route 29 (just after the
Sears store) turn right at the flashing light and then left into the
library parking lot.

The February meeting will be Tuesday, February 22, 7:30 pm
Compartmentalization: The Dynamic Tree Defense Process
Aspen Hill Library
Richard Murray, an arborist and MNPS member, will present a descriptive
talk covering basic themes of tree biology.  Why are trees such super
survivors?  How do they defend themselves?  Richard will bring tree
dissection samples, allowing us to look inside for answers.


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CHAPTER CONTACTS: For more details visit the Chapters page of
http://mdflora.org.

GREATER BALTIMORE CHAPTER MEETING
The Greater Baltimore Chapter meeting on Wednesday, March 16. The Steering
Committee meets at 6:00 pm for pizza before the meeting and welcomes new
members.
The Greater Baltimore Chapter is looking for interested members to:
* help plan the 2005 Fall Conference
* help with our booth at the Maryland Home and Garden Show in March.
Plan to visit the MNPS booth at the Maryland Home and Garden Show at the
Fairgrounds in Timonium on March 4-6 and 11-13 and enjoy the "Native and
Exotic [ed. note interesting, not necessarily non-native] Plant Sale" the
first weekend and the "Orchid Show and Sale" on the second weekend.
For more information, contact Ann Lundy at 410-366-9365 or
aplundy at attglobal.net.

EASTERN SHORE CHAPTER Contact Sylvan Kaufman, 410-634-2847 x13 or
skaufman at intercom.net.
Join us at 6:00 pm on Thursday, February 17 in Easton to plan spring and
summer outings and events.  Contact Sylvan Kaufman,
skaufman at adkinsarboretum.org or 410-634-2847 x24 for more information.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND CHAPTER Contact: Carolyn Fulton cofulton at chesapeake.net
or 301-885-6384.
They are sponsoring two field trips-- Feb. 6 and Mar 13 (see below)

WASHINGTON DC CHAPTER Contact: Mary Pat Rowan blair-rowan at starpower.net or
202-526-8821.
The Civil War Fort hikes continue--see the March 6 field trip.

CATOCTIN CHAPTER Contact Joe Metzger 410-775-7737.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Mark these upcoming events on your calendar. Check the web
site mdflora.org for details, directions, and other activities being
offered this season.

FIELD TRIPS

Winter Greens, Charles County
Leader: Marc Imlay
Date: Sunday, February 6 Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Maryland has a diversity of plants that are green all winter, even though
they are not "evergreens" such as pines and cedars.  We'll focus on the
less common evergreen species, including herbaceous plants that still have
green basal rosettes.  Plan to attend the invasive removal project in the
morning to help distinguish native from non-native species.
Directions: Meet at the Ruth B. Swann Park-Potomac Branch Library parking
lot, 20 miles south of Washington Beltway (I-495) on Rt. 210 (Indian Head
Hwy).  Give yourself 30 to 40 minutes from the beltway.
Carpool Info: Meet at Sierra Club Md. Chapter office at 9:00 am; return
5:00 pm.  Call Laurel Imlay at 301-277-7111.
Contact: Marc Imlay 301-283-0808.  RSVP is welcome.

Civil War Fort Sites in the Washington, D.C. Region (40th in the Series) –
Fort Stanton
Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica
Date: Sunday, February 13 Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
We will return to Fort Stanton for a winter walk in a Terrace-Gravel site.
Directions: Meet at Park Drive and 32nd Place SE just off of Branch Ave SE
(Route 5 in Maryland); access via Pennsylvania Ave to Branch Ave (about 4
short blocks southeast of this intersection).  Edge of connector is called
Park Drive on one side of Branch Ave and U Street on the other side.
Bring: Lunch and water.  Note: Easy to moderate walk.  Drizzle or snow is
fine but canceled if rain is heavy.
Contact: Mary Pat Rowan blair-rowan at starpower.net or 202-526-8821.

Civil War Fort Sites in the Washington, D.C. Region (41st in the Series) –
Fort Totten
Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica
Date: Sunday, March 6 Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fort Totten is one of the most interesting Terrace-Gravel sites in
Washington.  We will visit to see it in it's winter splendor with a few
spring ephemerals if we are lucky.
Directions: Meet at Fort Totten Drive near Crittenden St. NE.  Park on the
street and gather on the meadow at the entrance to the park.
Bring: Lunch and water.  Note: Easy to moderate walk.  A light drizzle is
fine but canceled if pouring rain.
Contact: Mary Pat Rowan blair-rowan at starpower.net or 202-526-8821.

Cove Point Marsh, Calvert County
Leader: Bob Boxwell
Date: Sunday, March 13 Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The easement property at Cove Point Marsh includes a variety of habitats
including upland forest, ponds, fresh and brackish marsh systems, and a
barrier beach.  According to a study from 1999, over 696 species have been
recorded on the site, including 52 species of trees and 63 species of
shrubs.  There are wet areas, ticks, and other pests to deal with.
Bring: Binoculars and hand lenses are good, but please no cameras.
Note: Pre-registration is required.  Directions will be provided after
registration is accepted.  Space is strictly limited to 10 people and a
valid US ID is required (e.g. driver's license) on day of trip.
Contact: Bob Boxwell 410-414-3311 or bobboxwell at hotmail.com.

HABITAT STEWARDSHIP-INVASIVE REMOVAL PROJECTS

Ruth Swann Park and Chapman Forest, Charles County
Dates: First Sundays, monthly
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Contact: Marc Imlay 301-283-0808.  RSVP is welcome.

WEED WARRIORS WANTED
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's (M-NCPPC)
Forest Ecologist is assembling a team of volunteers (Weed Warriors) to
monitor and remove non-native invasive plant species in Montgomery County
Parks, and we need your help!  As a Weed Warrior volunteer, you will
receive a short training session from the Forest Ecologist in the
identification of, removal and control techniques for non-native invasive
plants.  Weed Warriors can then work at their own pace and choose a
schedule that best suits them.  Many current Weed Warriors live near a
M-NCPPC Stream Valley Park or Regional Park and do their volunteer work
while walking their dogs or taking an occasional hike through their
neighborhood park.  Whether you choose to work individually or in a group,
your efforts will contribute to the control of non-native vegetation in the
28,000 acres of Montgomery County parkland.
Contact: Carole Bergmann, M-NCPPC Forest Ecologist, at 301-949-2818 for
more info or to sign up.

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Maryland Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 4877
Silver Spring, MD 20914
memberships at mdflora.org