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)
- Spring Cleaning and Mowing with Intentionality – Part 3
The is the third post in a 3-post series inspired by the recommendations of Shaun McCoshum, in which he inspires us, as stewards of the land, to shift our focus from doing no harm to doing least harm when managing our yards. In our first post, we presented McCoshum’s ideas and discussed the 50 degree… Read more: Spring Cleaning and Mowing with Intentionality – Part 3 - Spring Cleaning and Mowing with Intentionality – Part 2
The is the second post in a 3-post series inspired by the recommendations of Shaun McCoshum, in which he inspires us, as stewards of the land, to shift our focus from doing no harm to doing least harm when managing our yards. In our first post, we presented McCoshum’s ideas and discussed the 50 degree… Read more: Spring Cleaning and Mowing with Intentionality – Part 2 - Spring Cleaning and Mowing with Intentionality – Part 1
Over the years, I’ve wanted to write about tips for spring cleaning in the garden. But it seems the tips I wanted to share can be controversial. You may have heard catchy phrases like “chop and drop”, “save the stems”, “leave the leaves”, “no mow May” or “slow mow summer”. And then there’s “less is… Read more: Spring Cleaning and Mowing with Intentionality – Part 1 - Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the 2025-2035 Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). This wide-ranging document examines the state’s plants and animals, outlining ways to support species of greatest conservation need – species which are rare, declining, or at risk of declining in Maryland – along with the key… Read more: Maryland State Wildlife Action Plan
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