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
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- Larry Weaner – Living in a Liberated Landscape: My Yard
When Wild Ones put out a request for chapter leaders to host upcoming National webinars, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay president Marlene Smith jumped at the opportunity. And she was delighted to be chosen to introduce Honorary Director Larry Weaner’s presentation, “Living in a Liberated Landscape: My Yard.” Larry Weaner is a nationally recognized landscape designer… Read more: Larry Weaner – Living in a Liberated Landscape: My Yard - Winter Solstice Sowing 2025
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The winter solstice officially occurred today, December 21, 2025 at 10:03 am. Tonight marks the longest night of the year. As the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, darkness lingers longer than on any other night. But from this moment on, the balance slowly shifts,… Read more: Winter Solstice Sowing 2025 - 2025 Giving Tuesday
Please dig deep this Giving Tuesday to help us keep growing! 2025 was another busy year for Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay. This year we accomplished the following in support of our mission to promote education, advocacy, and collaborative action. All of the above, plus we provided 5 bi-monthly garden chats, outreach tables at 30+ events,… Read more: 2025 Giving Tuesday - 2025 Annual Chapter Meeting
Celebrating two years as a chartered chapter, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay held their annual meeting on November 18. Annual member meetings are a foundational element of chapter life at Wild Ones, offering more than a chance to fulfill procedural duties—they’re an opportunity to reflect, recognize, and re-energize. After an overview of Wild Ones’ mission, vision,… Read more: 2025 Annual Chapter Meeting
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