This fall has been a busy one for Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay (WOCB), starting with a field trip in early September through our participation at the Chesapeake Natives Fall Festival the last weekend of October. Whether virtual or in-person, there was something everyone.
On September 14, we cosponsored the Maryland Native Plant Society’s annual “Parks for Pollinators” iNaturalist Challenge on September 14, which was led by Karyn Molines, MNPS membership chair and WOCB chapter member. “Through field explorations, we discovered the fascinating world of pollination and documented what we found through iNaturalist. We observed bees, butterflies, and birds in action, deepening our understanding of pollination, learning to identify different pollinators and plants, and appreciating the importance of biodiversity in our environment.” ~ Karyn Molines
On September 18, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay and Wild Ones Greater Baltimore cohosted a virtual presentation by Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay President Marlene Smith on “Deeply Rooted in Native Seed Collecting”. Check out our blog post for a recording of the presentation and resources.
September 22 found our members off to our inaugural garden tour at Butterfly Alley, a local, seasonal native plant stand. We were welcomed by owner and chapter member, Carrie Krier. In Carrie’s words: “Butterfly Alley is a native plant demonstration garden that was created because of our love for butterflies. It contains as many native host and nectar plants in a residential garden as we could squeeze in. It’s always evolving. Please stop in. Success is measured in caterpillars!” After touring the gardens, WOCB President Marlene Smith spoke to us about native seed collecting, and interested participants were welcome to collect seeds.
On September 24, we hosted our bi-monthly virtual garden chat, featuring a short presentation on “Berries for Birds” by chapter member Lisa Bierer–Garrett. Since winter can be a hard time for wildlife, Lisa covered the top six winter birds that eat berries, the top six berry producers for birds, more suggestions for berries for birds, “birdscaping”, plants to avoid, and certifying your yard.
We closed out the month with our fall plant share on September 28 in partnership with Southern Maryland Native Plant People and hosted by chapter member Jan Goldstein at the Moyaone Reserve, a community in the woods within Piscataway Park at the southern tip of Prince Georges County. We were also joined by chapter member Pam Brumbley of the National Colonial Farm and recipient of a 2024 Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education grant.
Participants shared “an assortment of native forbs, shrubs and seeds with each other and with grateful recipients from the Moyaone community. The weather could not have been more perfect! A lot of enthusiasm was generated, and precious few plants remained at the end of the day. Consider it a rollicking success!” ~ Jan Goldstein
October started with an online program cohosted with Wild Ones Greater Baltimore. Jeremy Tidd, owner of Bona Terra LLC and WOCB member, discussed how he got started in the native plant industry; Bona Terra’s sustainability practices, seed sourcing, and soil making with a focus on biochar; and future goals for Bona Terra.
“More Trees, Please! On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, in partnership with Nurture Natives, hosted a native tree giveaway at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Bee Campus/Bird Campus in La Plata, MD. There were six varieties of native trees available, including Bald Cypress, Persimmon, Redbud, Red Maple, Buttonbush, and Tulip Poplar. The variety ensured there were trees suitable for a wide range of different site conditions with something to satisfy everyone! The Buttonbush and Persimmon seemed to be particular crowd favorites. Native perennials grown at the Bee Lab were also included in the giveaway and the perennial varieties included Red Columbine, Northern Sea Oats, Purple Lovegrass, Rattlesnake Master, Common Yarrow, Seedbox, Blue Vervain, Black-Eyed Susan, Mountain Mint, Smooth Beardtongue, and much more. The tree and perennial giveaway was a huge success with over 100 native trees distributed to local residents. These trees will be planted by their new owners throughout Southern Maryland. There was plenty of excitement and enthusiasm amongst the dozens of individuals who picked up their native trees and bonus perennials; at one point there was even a queue of soon-to-be tree parents in line for pickup! We are hopeful the trees distributed will thrive at their new homes and provide joy for decades to come!” ~ Molly Pinkas
Special thanks to event volunteers Marlene, Isaiah, Kenny, Esther, Molly, Patty, Bill, Tracey, Robin, and mascot, Misty.
On Saturday, October 12, we held our first native seed collecting workshop at the Leonardtown Library. Marlene Smith, President of Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, and Molly Moore, chapter member and President of Southern Maryland Audubon, taught participants the difference between shakers, beaks, coneheads, and more, guiding them in cleaning and packaging seeds to take home. The program was made possible with support from Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, Southern Maryland Audubon, and Friends of St. Clements Bay. Special shout out to chapter members Amy and Debby for volunteering.
We returned to the Leonardtown Library’s Front Yard Native Gardens on October 19 for their second annual native plant and seed swap. and our 7th Bona Terra Community-Led Satellite Seedling Giveaway in partnership with Nurture Natives. This event holds a special place in our hearts, as we collaborated last year to launch their first swap and the first-ever Bona Terra Community-Led Satellite Seedling Giveaway. Special thanks to volunteers Jeannie, Debra, Penny, Esther, Ryder, Bill, and Marlene for making this giveaway a huge success. This year’s swap also showcased the four beautiful seasonal sculpted clay tile mosaics created by local artist Parran Collery.
Our next stop was at the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park Ranger Station in Severna Park for their Make a Difference Day on October 26. This was an inaugural event coordinated by chapter member Miranda Yourick, who is also a board member of Friends of Anne Arundel Trails. Our chapter provided native plants for free to attendees from two sources – 150 plants grown by chapter members at the USGS Bee Lab and 2200 seedlings donated by Bonna Terra for our 7th Bona Terra Community-Led Satellite Seedling Giveaway in partnership with Nurture Natives. Local groups can learn how to hold their own BT seedling giveaways by attending training in the spring at Bona Terra’s nursery in Indian Head. The workshop is planned for Saturday, February 15th. Email Bona Terra at [email protected] with the subject line “Satellite Seedling Giveaway Workshop” to be added to the list to receive more information.
We wrapped up the month of October at the Chesapeake Natives Fall Festival. From plant pong to our custom photo frames, the event was a great way to spend a beautiful fall day. Chapter members Sue, Robin, Bill, and Marlene (along with our four-legged mascot, Misty) were on hand to connect attendees with information on native plants, while member Esther Bonney, founder of Nurture Natives, shared her journey with starting her youth-led nonprofit. Shout out to chapter member Isaiah for showcasing his music at the event.
But wait….there’s more! Our outreach events were just a fraction of our activities this fall. We were also busy seed collecting, planting, and propagating at several of our partner sites, including the Lexington Manor Passive Park Native Garden, Southern Maryland Animal Adoption and Resource Center, Leonardtown Library Front Yard Garden, Leonardtown Parkette Pollinator Patch, and USGS Bee Lab.
Volunteer Shanika at the Southern Maryland Animal Adoption and Resource Center writes: “Last October when I started working at the shelter, Tina wanted volunteers to help out with the front bed cleanup in preparation for the Trunk or Treat event. From there it grew from weeding, to mulching, and eventually over time with everyone’s help it turned into what can be seen and enjoyed today.
“Initially, I just wanted to help the shelter look more like an inviting place to be. Overgrown weeds, crabgrass, and neglected garden beds tend to do the opposite. The shelter, to me, was a place of hope, optimism, and love. A place where animals without homes would receive the care they needed while waiting to find their new families and forever homes. An inviting exterior to reflect the love and care given inside. Like the animals, the plants have a chance to grow, bloom, and bring joy to those who get to experience them– with the right care. (The added benefits of visual and olfactory enrichment for the animals, and positive impact on the environment are also a plus!)
“Wherever I go, I like to follow the campground rule. “Leave the place better than you found it.” 🙂
Without Tina’s connections, and the help, knowledge, and guidance from you, Bill (and Misty!) Liz, Becki, Dorothy, and all the students and volunteers — None of this would have been possible.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, for your hard work and continued dedication!”
St. Mary’s Animal Adoption and Resource Center 10/3/24 and 10/24/2024
Seed Collecting at Butterfly Alley with Forrest Tech Students 10/3/2024
Leonardtown Parkette Pollinator Patch 10/08/2024
Leonardtown Parkette Pollinator Patch 10/14/2024
Seed collecting at Butterfly Alley with chapter member Jeannie 10/19/2024
Plants propagated at the USGS Bee Lab are ready for distribution. 10/24/2024
Last but not least….. Our chapter was delighted to have a visit from Wild Ones Development Director, Josh Nelson, and his wife Jenn. While visiting our region, they joined us during a volunteer workday at the USGS Bee Lab to help plant native shrubs. Chapter members Marlene, Bill, Miranda, and Isaiah were on hand. “We planted blackhaw, red chokeberry, leadplant (Amorpha fruiticosa), silky dogwood, washington hawthorn, one of the native crabapples, and yellow and ohio buckeyes. They are being planted so we can document what pollinators use these plants as well as how to incorporate these plants into the environment along with perennials and other plantings.” ~ Sam Droege
The next week Josh and Jenn joined us for lunch, along with directors of Wild Ones Greater Baltimore (Amanda and Martha), Wild Ones Delmarva (Conchetta), and Wild Ones Nations Capital (Marney). We met on the waterfront in Annapolis to discuss ways in which Wild Ones can support local chapters. Josh and Jenn closed out their visit to our region by joining us for fun at the Chesapeake Natives Fall Festival.
But Josh and Jenn weren’t the only VIPs we met with this month. On October 31, it was a pleasure to meet University of Maryland Extension Faculty Specialist for Residential Landscape Ecology, Stacy Small-Lorenz and Anne Arundel Master Gardener Coordinator Maxine Yoon at the USGS Bee Lab. They were onsite to see the awesome work being done by the Bee Lab volunteers in growing native plants from seed. There was a lot of discussion on what resources are available or needed to teach homeowners about wildlife habitat, environmental horticulture, native plants, pollinator plants, invasive plant management, watershed protection, lawn alternatives, and sustainable lawn care. And Stacey selected dozens of native plants grown at the Bee Lab to take home for her gardens. Read Stacey’s recent blog post here.
October 2024 marks the one-year anniversary of our chapter’s relaunch. It has been a wild year full of tireless hours of volunteer work to lead the chapter in connecting people with native plants in Southern Maryland. What’s next for Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay? We’ve partnered s with RePollinate Anne Arundel to distribute native plants grown at the USGS Bee Lab to local residents, with donations being requested to help support native plant propagation in 2025. And we’ll be hosting workshops on native seed cleaning and winter sowing throughout the next few months. We’ll also be helping put one of many native pollinator gardens to bed for the season at the College of Southern Maryland, plus helping CSM implement a seed library.
Deeply rooted in native plants, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay strives to educate, advocate, and collaborate to connect people and native plants for a healthy planet. Check out our calendar and social media for our upcoming events. All are welcome to join us.