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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- It’s a Wrap on Our 2026 Milkweed Distribution
During three recent events, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay partnered with Nurture Natives to distribute close to 500 common and swamp milkweed plants (Asclepias syriaca and A. incarnata) that we propagated from seed this year. First up: UNIVERSITY PARK (UP) MEADOW DAY, which you may remember from our recent blog, Pollinator Week 2026 Highlights. Meadow Day… Read more: It’s a Wrap on Our 2026 Milkweed Distribution - July 2026 Garden Chat – “Charismatic Carnivorous Plants”
Attendees of our July 2026 Garden Chat were treated to an inspiring presentation by our guest speaker, Kerry Wixted. Did you know there are a variety of fens and bogs out there – some of which are calcareous and some of which are acidic. In Maryland, our main distinction is how they fill up with… Read more: July 2026 Garden Chat – “Charismatic Carnivorous Plants” - Nonprofit spotlight – University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners
Have you noticed that partnerships are key to successful nonprofits? Did you know that Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay partners with University of Maryland Extension (UME) Master Gardeners in several counties? In this fourth post in our ongoing series of nonprofit organizations, we introduce you to UME Master Gardeners, whose mission, vision, and programs align with… Read more: Nonprofit spotlight – University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners - July 2026 Happenings – Floral Fireworks in a Native Garden
Don’t miss this month’s virtual garden chat where we’ll connect and learn about “Charismatic Carnivorous Plants” with our guest speaker Kerry Wixted. Carnivorous plants seem like something from folklore, but did you know we have almost 20 species growing in Maryland? Learn about carnivorous plant adaptations and species that exist around the world and in… Read more: July 2026 Happenings – Floral Fireworks in a Native Garden
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