Welcome to Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Chapter!
We promote environmentally friendly, sound landscaping to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities across Southern Maryland.
Wild Ones chapters are a space where like-minded people gather to support each other in learning about landscaping with native plants and to share with others in their communities and networks about why it’s important to reintroduce native plants into public and private gardens and how to go about doing it. Chapters are where change happens. We are excited to offer local residents the opportunity to expand their impact in the natural landscaping movement and help promote native plants!
SAVE THE DATES for our Upcoming Chapter Events
Please join us for one or more of our upcoming events. Most events are free and open to the public, but please note that some require registration. Please be sure to invite friends and family! Visit our Events page, our chapter Google calendar, or our Facebook Events page for registration and/or RSVP information.
Recent Posts/News
(Click here for more)
- Native Plant Month is in full swing in Southern Maryland!
The first week of May brought so many new and exciting ways to celebrate native plants across our region. Leonardtown First Friday On May 1, we were on hand to celebrate the relaunch of the Leonardtown Butterfly Trail. Through collaboration with other members of the Butterfly Trail committee, there’s now a new Butterfly Trail brochure… Read more: Native Plant Month is in full swing in Southern Maryland! - Give the Gift of Native Plants for Mother’s Day 2026
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the special women in our lives. Give mom what she really wants this Mother’s Day! Give the gift of native plants or a Wild Ones membership!! Give Her Native Plants! Skip the ornamental plants or cut flower arrangements. Visit our native plant swap on Saturday, May 9, 10… Read more: Give the Gift of Native Plants for Mother’s Day 2026 - May 2026 is Native Plant Month in Southern Maryland!
Happy May! Thank you to all our chapter members who were involved in various activities and events during April to celebrate Earth Month and National Native Plant Month. But wait… there’s more! May 2026 has been declared Maryland Native Plant Month by Governor Wes Moore. This designation celebrates the essential role that native plants play… Read more: May 2026 is Native Plant Month in Southern Maryland! - Three Partners Sweep 2025 Sustainability Awards
In a press release on Earth Day (April 22, 2026), the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and the Commission on the Environment announced its 2025 Sustainability Awards. Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay is proud to share that the winners in all three categories are partners with our chapter in promoting native plants through education, advocacy, and… Read more: Three Partners Sweep 2025 Sustainability Awards
A Few of My Favorite Native Things
Native bees buzzing and fireflies lighting
Monarches eclosing and new species sightings
Hummingbirds hover on fast-moving wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Red oaks and white oaks in decades old glory
Dogwoods and redbuds in the understory
Paw paw, persimmon, sassafras seedlings
These are a few of my favorite things
Beechdrops on beech roots and milkweed fluff flowing
Seed heads turn brown as the plants finish growing
Winter approaches and then then comes the spring
When I’ll enjoy more of my native things
When the frost bites
When the wind stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my native gard’ning
And then I don't feel so bad
by Marlene Smith, President Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay