Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to connect people and native plants for a healthy planet. We are deeply rooted in collaborating with like-minded organizations that share our passion for native plants and natural landscapes. We encourage everyone to do their part, from private individuals, to libraries, colleges, government buildings, and small towns.

We invite you to visit and learn about the many public native gardens we support with in our community.

St. Mary’s County

The Good Earth Natural Food Company, Leonardtown

Steward: Abby Greenwell, Amy Henderson
Square footage: 160
Dedicated: April 18. 2026
Partners: Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, St. Mary’s County Garden Club, UMD Extension Master Gardeners, Forrest Tech Center

Leonardtown Library Front Yard

Steward: Liz Curtz
Square footage: 4500
Dedicated: 2024
Partners: Friends of St. Clements Bay, St. Mary’s County Garden Club, UMD Extension Master Gardeners, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay
Learn more on YouTube

Leonardtown Parkette Pollinator Patch

Steward: Amy Henderson
Square footage: 900
Established: 2024
Partners: Butterfly Alley, St. Mary’s County Garden Club, Friends of St. Clement’s Bay, Bay Montessori School, EcobayLandscaping, Town of Leonardtown, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay

St. Mary’s Animal Adoption & Resources Center

Steward: Liz Curtz
Square footage: 440
Established: 2024
Partners:, St. Mary’s County Garden Club, Friends of St. Clement’s Bay, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, Forrest Technology Center

Charles County

Bird City Pocket Park, La Plata

Steward: Town of La Plata, Beautification Commission
Square footage: 1800
Established: July 2024
Partners: Designed and created by EcoBay Landscape Design; Eagle Scout Craig Ruehl, Southern Maryland Audubon Society, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Chapter, Wealth Management Partners, Wild Birds Unlimited La Plata
Learn more on YouTube

College of Southern Maryland Pollinator Gardens

Steward: Tracey Stuller
Square footage: 500
Established: 2018
Partners: Chaney Foundation, Newport Valley Farm, Southern Maryland Audubon, UMD Extension Master Gardeners, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, Xerces Society

Members’ Gardens

Mystical Gardens at NikHaven (Charles County)

Steward: Marlene Smith
Square footage:3500
Established: 2021
Visit on YouTube

Friesen Residence (St. Mary’s County)

Steward: Mary Ann Friesen
Square footage: 195
Established: April 2026

Native Plant Resources

Sources for Native Plants and Seeds in Southern Maryland

Bona Terra

Bona Terra is a microbusiness nursery based in Indian Head, Maryland with an office in Washington, DC that focuses on the local genetics necessary to restore diversity in the Chesapeake ecoregion. We sustainably grow and sell native plants and seeds (including a selection of local ecotypes) with wild genetics to retail customers with discounts offered to landscape professionals, master gardeners, and conservation and restoration non-profits.

In 2023, Bona Terra started the Plant Grant Initiative to give out free native seedlings to local organizations and homeowners in an effort to get native plants in the ground. We saw an untapped resource in the people in our community that wanted to support ecosystems with native plants. By providing some basic information and free seedlings, we have removed many of the barriers to entry and allowed more people to become the change they want to see in the world.

Butterfly Alley

“Butterfly Alley is a seasonal native plant stand in Southern Maryland that is committed to selling cost effective plugs, with limited quarts and gallons, in April and September. We have an on-site demo garden. Feel free to stop by and collect seeds anytime. We offer a 30% discount to non-profits and community gardens. Our motto is: success is measured in butterflies!” ~ Carrie Krier

Chesapeake Natives

“The Mission of Chesapeake Natives, Inc. is to promote, protect, and propagate plants native to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

We are looking forward to partnering with Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay to promote the use of native plants through volunteer events, workshops, and community outreach.” ~ Kelly Lawhorn

Maryland’s Best Gold Tier Retailer

College of Southern Maryland Seed box

“I think they [seed libraries] are a fantastic resource for a community to help fight food insecurity and reconnect us in a time where we are increasingly separated from the source of our food. Establishing this seed library has been a very fulfilling and educational experience…. Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay…. [was] endlessly welcoming and generous in sharing wisdom, resources, and native plant seeds to get us started! I am also excited to involve the CSM Eco-Hawks: Students for Environmental Sustainability Club in our seed library operations, since our students are the heart of everything, we do here…. I think it is going to be a very successful and enriching addition to our campus.” ~ Maddie Kaba, Library Assistant

Goodman LLC

“Goodman LLC is a Southern Maryland-based native plant nursery and ecological consulting business dedicated to restoring and protecting the landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay region through the use of native plants and conservation-based land management practices. Our work closely aligns with the mission of Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay by promoting biodiversity, supporting pollinators and wildlife, improving water quality, and helping communities transition toward sustainable, resilient landscapes. Through partnerships, education, and hands-on projects, we strive to make native plants accessible and practical for homeowners, volunteers, and local organizations working to steward the land.” ~ Edward Goodman