National Pollinator Week 2026 is observed during the week of June 22-28. “Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health that was initiated and is managed by Pollinator Partnership. It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. The great […] Continue reading "Pollinator Week June 22-28, 2026"
Welcome summer! The summer solstice 2026 – Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 4:24 a.m. EDT – marks the longest day of the year and the astronomical beginning of summer, occurring when the Earth’s tilt reaches its maximum inclination toward the Sun. Summer brings so many joys in a natural habitat, including the flickering and flashing […] Continue reading "Jewels of the Night – A Sign of Summer"
Plant propagation by Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay has moved to Mystical Gardens at NikHaven, the home of Marlene and Bill Smith, our chapter President and Vice-President. After seed stratification and sowing at Providence Greenhouses this past winter, followed by transplanting in May at the UMD Extension Dairy Farm location in Gambrills, it was time to […] Continue reading "We’ve Moved!"
Seed collection time, like bloom time, differs from native plant to native plant. While I anxiously await each species to bloom as the seasons progress from spring to summer to fall, seed collection follows a similar progression and has been underway since late April here in my southern Maryland gardens. Collections began with Packera aurea […] Continue reading "Believe It or Not, Seed Collecting Has Started in Our Native Gardens!"
Happy Meteorological Summer! Thank you to all our chapter members who were involved in various activities and events during May. We closed the month with our wildly successful NatureFest. With over 1,000 registrants and over 50 vendors, it was our biggest and most successful NatureFest in its 6-year history. Thank you to our chapter members […] Continue reading "June 2026 Happenings! Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay"
The last week of May was bustling with preparations for NatureFest 2026. Now in its 6th year, this is our premier spring event in Southern Maryland. NatureFest has grown since its inception in 2021 from its humble beginnings at Tilghman Lake Park to an annual event that attracts more exhibitors and attendees each year. 2021 […] Continue reading "NatureFest 2026 Wraps Up Native Plant Month"
The second and third weeks of May brought many more new and exciting ways to celebrate native plants across our region, including another native plant month proclamation, transplanting native seedlings, conducting a garden tour, and so much more! Week of May 10-16 Town of Leonardtown Proclaims May Native Plant Month The second week of Native […] Continue reading "Native Plant Month Continues in Southern Maryland!"
During the Wild Ones Annual Membership Meeting on April 15,2026, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay and members were recognized for their contributions to the Wild Ones’ mission. We are proud of our members’ accomplishments! 19:38 When reviewing chapter policy work in 2025, Sara Ressing noted: “the Chesapeake Bay region, the chapter secured zoning approval for native plant nurseries through public […] Continue reading "Chapter Recognition at the 2025-2026 Wild Ones Annual Meeting"
2026 native seed propagation is underway! This year we have moved our plant propagation activities to Providence Greenhouses in Arnold and the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Dairy Farm location in Gambrills under the leadership of RePollinate Anne Arundel project coleaders Lauren Toomey (UME Master Gardener) and Patchin Curtis (Anne Arundel County Watershed Steward), along […] Continue reading "Native Plant Propagation 2026 is Underway!"
The first week of May brought so many new and exciting ways to celebrate native plants across our region. Leonardtown First Friday On May 1, we were on hand to celebrate the relaunch of the Leonardtown Butterfly Trail. Through collaboration with other members of the Butterfly Trail committee, there’s now a new Butterfly Trail brochure […] Continue reading "Native Plant Month is in full swing in Southern Maryland!"