During the Wild Ones Annual Membership Meeting on April 10,2025, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay and members were recognized for their contributions to the Wild Ones’ mission. We are proud of our members’ accomplishments!
18:11 Wild Ones’ support for seed libraries is growing. The … Chesapeake Bay, Maryland chapter supported seed libraries across St. Mary’s County and helped launch a seed library at the College of Southern Maryland‘s La Plata campus. These efforts fostered community engagement through partnerships with local libraries and the college’s Bee and Bird campus programs. As Tracy Stuller, professor of biology, reflects, “This project is about planting seeds for plants. That’s true. But we’re planting other kinds of seeds, too. I hope the partnerships and collaborations that have been started with this initiative continue to grow and flourish as well.”
34:56 Chesapeake Bay, Maryland chapter member Lynn Wheeler was honored as the National Marine Sanctuary’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year.
35:15 Esther Bonnie, a member of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland chapter was awarded two prestigious national awards for her dedication to preserving native biodiversity and educating communities. At just 17 years old, Esther recognized the detrimental impact of invasive species on local ecosystems. She co-founded Nurture Natives, a nonprofit organization aimed at educating both children and adults about the threats posed by non-native species to agriculture, pollinators, and local habitats. Through initiatives like native plant giveaways across Maryland, Nurture Natives has distributed over 47,000 native seedlings as well as 550 sapling trees and shrubs, significantly contributing to the restoration of native plant populations. To date, their work has impacted more than 9,000 youth and 50,000 individuals. Their self-published guide, Nurture Natives, A Guide to Invasive Species and Their Native Look Alikes, has been distributed to nurseries across seven East Coast states, amplifying their educational impact. In recognition of these efforts, Esther, alongside co-founder Samantha Rutherford, was honored with the 2024 President’s Environmental Youth Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Esther also received the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Esther’s story, as well as the stories of many dedicated members who have been recognized this year, reflect the passion, leadership, and dedication our members bring to their communities every day.
Wild Ones announced on April 15 a new partnership with Nurture Natives, “an inspiring youth-led nonprofit dedicated to environmental advocacy and biodiversity restoration. This collaboration, started with the Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Chapter, will bring together our shared passion for native ecosystems and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.”