Did you know the University of Maryland Extension Maryland Native Plants Program, along with University of Maryland Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, is co-hosting this year’s Maryland Native Plant Society’s (MNPS) annual conference? In this fifth post in our ongoing series of nonprofit organizations, we introduce you to the Maryland Native Plant Society, whose mission, vision, and programs align with the Wild Ones mission to promote native landscapes through education, advocacy and collaborative action, and our vision of native plants and natural landscapes thriving in every community. Read on to learn more about the Maryland Native Plant Society, its resources, and the 2026 MNPS annual conference.
About Maryland Native Plant Society
The Maryland Native Plant Society’s mission is to promote awareness, appreciation, and conservation of Maryland’s native plants and their habitats through education, research, advocacy, and service activities. Membership is open to all who are interested in Maryland’s native plants and their habitats.
Education
Education is a top priority, including opportunities to learn about native habitats, plant identification, and native and invasive plants, through a combination of:
Research
Before MNPS can even begin protecting and conserving habitats, they first need to identify them. Their knowledgeable botanists and ecologists conduct field surveys; Survey Data is available on-line.
They also encourage members to record native plant observations on their field trips and maintain a list of plants by site.
Advocacy
MNPS provides testimony at county and state hearings on issues concerning habitat protection. They also work with other organizations through the Maryland Native Plant Coalition to petition state and local governments to stop or restrict development around sensitive areas and occasionally join with other organizations to initiate legal action.
Service
An important part of the MNPS mission is to protect and conserve native habitats. While they are not themselves responsible for managing sensitive areas, they post information on various Invasive Species and encourage members to support these efforts.
MNPS 2026 Conference: Diverse Landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Shore
The Maryland Native Plant Society’s fall conference features presentations, workshops, and field trips so you can learn more about our native plants and their habitats. Discover the unique landscapes of Maryland’s Piedmont and Western Coastal Plain from globally rare ecosystems such as magnolia bogs to the resilient and prevalent oak-hickory forests.
There are still spaces available, but hurry registration ends September 3. The plant sale is open to the public!
📆 Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th, 2026
⏰ See detailed agenda with links to details (PDF)
📍University of Maryland, College Park
NOTE: After registering for the conference, you will receive information on how to sign up for workshops and field trips. Check out the Maryland Native Plant Society on Facebook for additional details on field trips.
Special shout out to business and nonprofit members of Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay who are participating in the Native Plant Sale on Saturday, September 12, 10 am – 2 pm. Stop by and show them your support!
- Chesapeake Natives
- Earthly Delights Native Gardening
- Goodman LLC
- Nurture Natives
- Providence Greenhouses
Resources
- MNPS website
- List of native plant nurseries and vendors
- Events page with links to monthly programs, field trips, and more
- Recordings of educational presentations
- Publications
- MNPS on Facebook
- Native Plants in Maryland Discussion Group on Facebook
✍️M.Smith
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay is deeply rooted in native plants and cultivating partnerships, while striving to educate, advocate, and collaborate to connect people and native plants for a healthy planet. Our vision is native plants and natural landscapes thriving in every community. Check out our Events page, Google calendar, Facebook, and/or Instagram for our upcoming events. And don’t forget to subscribe to our new YouTube channel and email subscriber list!
