Native News

Newsletter of the Maryland Native Plant Society

January/February 2007 Volume 7 Number 1

Inside This Issue:

Presidents Letter Page 2 ~ MNPS Contacts Page 2 ~ MNPS Announcements Page 3 ~ Wildflower in Focus Page 4 ~ Winter Field Trips/Events Page 5 ~ General Announcements MNPS Chapter Contacts Page 7

Upcoming Monthly Meetings

Winter Evergreen Identification Workshop Tuesday, January 30, 7:30 pm White Oak Library Large Meeting Room
John Parrish, botanist and USDA Graduate School plant ID instructor, will give a presentation on many of the native evergreen plants found throughout Maryland, including pines and other gymnosperms, hollies, bayberries, and other shrubs, groundcovers and clubmosses, and numerous others. Live material will be used, with an emphasis on identification. John will also discuss the natural distribution and habitat of each species.

Rare and Uncommon Native Plants of Maryland's Piedmont Tuesday, February 27, 7:30 pm White Oak Library Large Meeting Room
Join Cris Fleming, MNPS president, field botanist, and USDA Graduate School plant ID instructor, for a presentation on rare and uncommon native plants of Maryland's piedmont region. Cris has surveyed sections of the fall line and piedmont in Harford, Baltimore, and Montgomery Counties while working for the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, and has extensively surveyed the Potomac Gorge section of Montgomery County's piedmont as a contractor for the National Park Service. Copies of Cris' paper on the occurrence of rare and uncommon plants in Maryland's piedmont, based, in part, on her field work, will also be available. Directions: Exit the Washington Beltway at New Hampshire Ave (exit 28). Go north about 2 miles. The library is the first building on the right, once you have passed under Route 29, just after the Sears store.
The Maryland Native Plant Society (MNPS) is a nonprofit organization that uses education, research, and community service to increase the awareness and appreciation of native plants and their habitats, leading to their conservation and restoration. Membership is open to all who are interested in Marylands native plants and their habitats, preserving Marylands natural heritage, increasing their knowledge about native plants, and helping to further the Societys mission.

Native News
Presidents Letter
Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year to all members, In my first letter as your new President, Id like to thank the retiring board members for their service to MNPS: Nancy Adamson, Chris Partain, and Iris Mars. Iris will continue to maintain our excellent website. And then I want to welcome our new board members: Marney Bruce, Albert Hartley, and Brady Hartley. There have been a few changes in the officers of the board as well: Linda Keenan will become a Vice President and Gary Steele will take over as Treasurer. Id especially like to thank past President Carole Bergmann, past Treasurer Beth Johnson, and past, past President Karyn Molines for their help easing me into my new position. I am very pleased to become the President of MNPS. Ive been a member of this society for many years and have watched it grow from a small group of native plant lovers to a strong organization sponsoring an active schedule of botanical field trips and invasive plant removal workdays, monthly members meetings, an annual conference held in different parts of the state, and a bi-monthly newsletter listing upcoming events, general announcements of interest, and a Wildflower in Focus column. In addition, we now have an attractive, up-to-date website with links to other organizations. When I first joined MNPS, there was only one chapter in Montgomery County and now there are seven chapters located throughout Maryland. In recent years, our expert botanists have found many significant plant communities and populations of rare species. Led by Botany Chair Rod Simmons, our botanists have researched and rediscovered several fall-line bogs which had been lost for a long time, and other bogs such as Araby Bog in Charles County have been newly discovered and surveyed. Habitat Stewardship Chair Marc Imlay and other volunteer weed warriors have removed acres of invasive species from local parks. We also have developed a strong program of advocacy to protect significant natural habitats. Conservation Chair John Parrish has testified in many hearings in Montgomery County and has been a leader in efforts to prevent the building of the ICC. Linda Keenan has recently taken on responsibility for MNPS conservation efforts in Prince Georges County. As Carole so often wrote in her letters, it is incredible that all this work is done by volunteers. Obviously, a great love of Marylands native plants and their habitats drives our members to devote so much time and effort to increasing appreciation and conservation of our states natural environments. Among my goals as President are to develop a system of record-keeping of MNPS field trips (I think valuable information can be found in years of data collection), to explore the possibilities of MNPS-sponsored extended field trips, to expand our cooperation with other organizations, and to keep members informed of board discussions and actions. Through years of classes, meetings, and field trips, I think many MNPS members already know me. But if you havent met me yet, please introduce yourself to me and let me know about your special interests in native plants. I am eager to learn how MNPS can serve our members even better in the coming years. Cris Fleming

P.O. Box 4877 Silver Spring, MD 20914 www.mdflora.org Contacts: Botany.. Rod Simmons [email protected] ConservationJohn Parrish [email protected] Field Trips..Meghan Tice [email protected] 301-809-0139 Flora of MarylandJoe Metzger [email protected] Habitat Stewardship..Marc Imlay [email protected] Membership.Karyn Molines [email protected] 410-286-2928 Monthly Meetings.Rod Simmons [email protected] Outreach..Carolyn Fulton [email protected] President.Cris Fleming [email protected] Publications: Marilandica.. Rod Simmons [email protected] Native News.. Meghan Tice [email protected] Website.Iris Mars [email protected] Executive Officers:
Cris Fleming, President Marc Imlay, Vice President Linda Keenan, Vice President John Parrish, Vice President Carolyn Fulton, Secretary Gary Steele, Treasurer

Board of Directors:
Matthew Bazar Albert Hartley Carole Bergmann Brady Hartley Lisa Bierer-Garrett Beth Johnson Marney Bruce Joe Metzger, Jr. Paul Carlson Karyn Molines Melanie Choukas-Bradley Kirsten Emigholtz Mary Pat Rowan Jim Gallion Roderick Simmons
January/February 2007

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Native News
MNPS Announcements
In Memoriam
On Tuesday, November 21, 2006, Barbara Medina, first president of the Maryland Native Plant Society passed away. Barbara put much effort into establishing the foundations of the organization. She was a co-author, with her husband Victor, of two books on the wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians, illustrated with her photographs. The family prefers no flowers be sent, but those who wish may make a tax deductible contribution to the Brookside Gardens, a place very dear to Barbara and where the whole family spent many happy hours. A named plaque will be installed honoring Barbara. Donations may be sent, payable to Brookside Gardens, to Anna Kollin, Donation Coordinator; Brookside Gardens; 1800 Glenallan Ave; Wheaton, MD 20902.

Welcome New Members!

The following have recently joined the Society: Christine Abelow, Kenneth Bawer, Josie Briggs, Molly Carr and Mac Thornton, Sara Dedekam, Serena Fossi, Corliss Glennon, Norma Hendrickson, Lynette Lenz, Rebecca Mazur and John Cates, Dave Mozurkewich and Lynette Fullerton, The Pechacek Family, Matthew Radcliffe, Holly Shimizu, James Smith, Peter Wieczorowski, and Dorothy Woodcock. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming field trips or meetings. Here are the most recent organizations and small businesses that have joined at the "Organization" level: Lower Marlboro Nursery (Mary-Stuart Sierra), Adkins Arboretum, Gardening & Gentle Redesign (Serena Fossi), The Nature Conservancy of Maryland, Science and Stewardship Program, Elk Ridge NatureWorks, LLC (Liz McDowell & Ron Boyer), Wicklein's Water Gardens (Erik Wicklein), Cityscapes Landscaping, Inc. (Joan Janssen), and Woodland Management Services (Bud Reaves). Thank you for your support.

From the Eastern Shore Chapter

It is time to get together to plan some fun and exciting events for 2007! We will hold a planning meeting in mid-January, and if you are interested in attending, or have any suggestions that you would like to pass along, please email Leslie HunterCario at [email protected] or [email protected], or call her at 410-463-2890. So far we have scheduled a mini-workshop in March on rain gardens with Zora Lathan of the Chesapeake Ecology Center. Back in November, we had a personalized tour of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center by MNPS member Karen McDonald, following a lecture by Dr. Gary Krupnick of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, who presented his new book "Plant Conservation: A Natural History Approach."

Native Plant Professionals

One of the Society's many services is providing, upon request, a list of our current members who have told us that they are native plant professionals. This list is different than the list of nurseries found on the website, since it includes professional gardeners and landscapers as well as native plant propagators and suppliers. Over a typical month, we receive about a dozen requests from both members and nonmembers. If you wish to receive a copy of this list, please contact Karyn Molines [email protected] or 410-286-2928.

General Membership Information

To tell when your membership expires, take a look at your mailing label. For example, if your label reads 1/1/2007 your membership expires at the end of January. If its time to renew, please use the form on the back of this newsletter, or download one from the website. Mail your dues to MNPS Membership, P.O. Box 4877, Silver Spring, MD 20914. Sometimes, membership checks and renewal notices cross in the mail. We apologize if this happens; we do try to update our membership database weekly. If we receive two renewals for a membership, we have a policy to extend the membership for an additional year. Thanks for your support. Native News Deadlines:
Jan 25 March/April Early Spring Issue March 25 May/June Late Spring Issue May 25 July/August Summer Issue July 25 September/October Early Autumn Issue Sept 25 November/December Late Autumn/Holidays Issue Nov 25 January/February Winter Issue Tentative 2007 Mailing Party Dates (preceding regular Monthly Meetings at White Oak Library): Tuesdays at 6:00 pm: February 27 and April 30.

From the Western Mountains Chapter

The Western Mountains Chapter of Maryland Native Plant Society has lined up several terrific speakers for our meetings in 2007. Actual program titles and descriptions will be available shortly, but in the meantime please mark your calendars for the following Tuesday evenings: February 20 Kevin Dodge (topic to be determined); April 17 Pat Durkin (the Baltimore checkerspot recovery program); June 19 Chris Pax (landscaping with native plants); August 21 and October 16 (speakers to be announced at a later date). Each presentation will begin immediately following a short business meeting. The public is welcome to attend. Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately .2 miles to the entrance to the Appalachian Lab on the left side of the road (301 Braddock Road). There is plenty of parking in front of the building. For more information contact Liz McDowell ([email protected] or 301-895-3686) or Cheryl Lough ([email protected] or 301-616-7983).
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Native News
~ Wildflower in Focus ~

SKUNK CABBAGE
Symplocarpus foetidus (L.) Nutt. Arum Family (Araceae)
By Melanie Choukas-Bradley Artwork by Tina Thieme Brown

Marylands earliest common spring wildflower is the skunk cabbage. Although it can reach a height of six inches and is very distinctive up close, skunk cabbage is well camouflaged and can be tricky to find unless you know where to look for it along streams and in and near marshes, swamps, seeps and springs. According to Leslie Hunter-Cario of the Maryland Native Plant Society Eastern Shore Chapter, skunk cabbage typically grows in seasonally flooded forested wetlands on the Eastern Shore. Skunk cabbage leaves, which appear as the flowers are dying back, are a brilliant spring green and impossible to miss. In our family, the first rite of spring is always a "skunk hunting" expedition. Soon after the skunk cabbage comes into bloom, the spring peepers begin their musical calls. Skunk cabbage and spring peepers share wooded wetland habitat and are cherished signs of spring in the Mid-Atlantic and northeast. Flowers: The fleshy hooded spathe (a large bract surrounding the flower cluster) is usually wine red or brown and vertically speckled yellow or green, but may also be yellow or green with wine striations; 2-6" high. Inside is the round or ovoid spadix, a fleshy axis bearing the tiny true flowers. Leaves: A vibrant yellow-green, springing up along streams and other wetland areas when the rest of the forest floor is still wintry. Prominently veined, with smooth or wavy margins, they are tightly coiled at first and then unfurl to a height of 1 - 3. Leaves exude a skunky odor when crushed. Habitat and Range: Swamps, marshes, streams, seeps, springs and wet woodlands; Nova Scotia and Quebec to Minnesota and Iowa, south in the Appalachians to Georgia. Herbal Lore: Skunk cabbage has been widely employed medicinally. American Indians used the root to treat convulsions, whooping cough, toothache and other conditions. The root was also used as a poultice for wounds. Physicians later used it for epileptic seizures and severe coughs. The leaves have also been dried and reconstituted in soups and stews. (Warning: Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Eating the fresh leaves can burn the mouth and the roots are considered toxic. Only thorough drying removes irritating and toxic properties. See additional warning under Similar Species.) Similar Species: The leaves of the poisonous false hellebore (Veratrum viride) are often mistaken for skunk cabbage leaves. False hellebore favors the same wet habitats as does the skunk cabbage. False hellebore bears branching clusters of 6-parted yellow-green flowers. Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is in the same family as skunk cabbage and has a spathe and spadix. Jack-in-the-pulpit blooms later in the spring and only vaguely resembles skunk cabbage. Blooming Time: January - April. The leaves outlast the flowers and are showy throughout the spring. Locations: Throughout Maryland along streams, and in and near marshes, swamps, seeps and springs; Adkins Arboretum, Tuckahoe State Park, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Patuxent River Park, Rock Creek Park, C&O Canal, Watts Branch Stream Valley Park, Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park, Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park, Seneca Creek State Park, Hawlings River, Little Bennett Regional Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, Frederick Watershed, Catoctin Mountain and western mountains. (See Finding Wildflowers in the Washington-Baltimore Area by Cristol Fleming, Marion Blois Lobstein and Barbara Tufty for more information.) MNPS Board President Carole Bergmann and Board Members Cris Fleming and Karyn Molines and Leslie Hunter-Cario, Chairperson of the Eastern Shore Chapter, contributed to this article. Skunk cabbage text adapted from An Illustrated Guide to Eastern Woodland Wildflowers and Trees: 350 Plants Observed at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland (Choukas-Bradley and Brown, University of Va. Press).

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Native News
Winter Field Trips/Events
Civil War Fort Sites in the Washington, D.C. Region (58th in the Series) Fort Dupont
Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica Date: Sunday, January 7 Time: 10:00 am 2:00 pm Again to Ft. Dupont where we have been participating in a butterfly survey this summer. We will take a different direction than in the past few trips and discover anew the wonders of Ft. Dupont. Directions: We will meet at the parking lot of the Ft. Dupont Activity Center off Randall Circle. Randall Circle is on Minnesota Avenue SE at Massachusetts Avenue SE; access via East Capital Street and go south on Minnesota Ave to Randall Circle. Or, take I-295 from the Beltway north to Pennsylvania Ave SE and turn north on Minnesota Ave until you get to Randall Circle. Bring: Water and lunch. Note: Easy to moderate walk. Light drizzle or snow is fine but canceled if pouring rain. Contact: Mary Pat Rowan [email protected] or 202-526-8821.
American Mistletoe Phoradendron flavescens

Civil War Fort Sites in the Washington, D.C. Region (59th in the Series) Bald Eagle Hill
Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica Date: Sunday, February 4 Time: 10:00 am 2:00 pm We will return to Bald Eagle Hill located at the extreme southeastern edge of Washington, D.C. It is not a Civil War Fort but is part of the preserved corridor connecting the Fort Circle to Oxon Cove. The site includes both upland and lowland forest. Directions: From the north, take the Anacostia Freeway (I295) south to the South Capital Street exit. Take the exit and proceed about one mile to First Street SE and turn right (just after Galveston Street). Soon after, make a right onto Joliet Street. Proceed up the hill about two blocks and park opposite the Bald Eagle Recreation Center. Bring: Water and lunch. Note: Easy to moderate walk. Light drizzle or snow is fine but canceled if pouring rain. Contact: Mary Pat Rowan [email protected] or 202-526-8821.

Greater Baltimore Area Chapter Meeting "The Geology-Soils-Plants Connection: A Baltimore Connection"
Irvine Nature Center Speaker: Louisa Thompson Date: Wednesday, January 17 Time: 7:30 pm Whether you missed the Fall Conference or want to follow up on what you learned there, join Louisa Thompson for an exploration of how geology and soils determine which plants grow where in Baltimore and the surrounding counties. Our region is exceptionally diverse, with rich mafic soils derived from igneous rock, limestone-enriched soils on the Cockeysville Marble formation, and soils high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium on sediments deposited under the Bay in a previous inter-glacial period. The serpentine barrens, with their excessively high level of magnesium and heavy metals, are well known to MNPS members, but you may not realize that ultramafic soil extends across much of the west side of Baltimore City and County. We also have a variety of "poor" acidic soils with exceptionally tough plants on rocky Piedmont slopes and clayey plateaus, gravel terraces at the fall line, sandy glacial outwash plains, and ancient beaches now far inland as well as Bay shoreline beaches. Wetlands include upland depression swamps and vernal ponds, beaver marshes, floodplain meadows and swamps, fall line magnolia bogs, coastal plain bogs, tidal marshes and beaches. Knowing the individual tolerance ranges of plants allows you to "read" the underlying geology...or to plan a successful native plant landscape. Contact: Ann Lundy at [email protected] or 410-3669365.

Keys to Plant Identification, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Leader: Karyn Molines Date: Saturday, February 10 Time: 10:00 am noon Alternate, opposite, toothed, entire, umbels, sepals? If such terminology mystifies you, this program is the answer! We'll learn the basics of plant identification using keys and field guides, then take a hike to use our knowledge. This program is designed for those with little or no experience and will focus on identifying trees using their twigs and bark. Directions: See www.jugbay.org or call 410-741-9330. Bring: Hand lens, binoculars, and field guides if you have them we will have some to borrow. Dress for the weather. Note: There is a $3/person entrance fee for this program for adults/older teens. Contact: [email protected] (preferred) or 410-2862928.

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Native News
Buck Lodge Community Park, Prince George's County
Leader: Rod Simmons Date: Sunday, February 25 Time: 10:00 am 2:00 pm Buck Lodge Park is a fairly large wooded tract in the Paint Branch watershed near College Park that harbors many rare and uncommon plants and habitats of the coastal plain. We will explore a diversity of habitats and high quality forest, including pristine oak-chestnut-heath forest; low-lying seepage forest dominated by American holly, pines, and evergreen groundcovers; old-age terrace gravel forest; sand and gravel barrens under the powerline easement; and the Buck Lodge Magnolia Bog. We should see a variety of oaks and pines; American chestnut and chinquapin; numerous ericads; the winter fruits of black and red chokeberries; a variety of bog grasses, including sugarcane plumegrass; and a diversity of evergreens such as American holly and clubmosses. Directions: From the Capital Beltway (495), take the New Hampshire Avenue south exit and travel a short distance to Adelphi Road. Turn left onto Adelphi Road and proceed a short distance to Riggs Road. Turn left onto Riggs Road and proceed a short distance to Buck Lodge Road. Turn right onto Buck Lodge Road and follow road past school on right to parking lot at park. We will meet in parking lot. Bring: Wear sturdy shoes and bring lunch or snacks and water. Note: This will be a moderate walk on trails. Contact: Rod [email protected] or 301-809-0139.

Sligo Creek Park Invasive Plant Removal, Montgomery County

Leaders: Sally Gagne Impromptu events in several sections are planned for late winter. Please consult www.fosc.org/RIPEventSched.htm. Bring: Gloves, tools, and water or we will provide. Contact: Sally 301-588-2071 or [email protected].

Rain Garden Mini-Workshop

Location: Kent Island Branch of the Queen Annes County Free Library, 200 Library Circle, Stevensville, Md., 21666 Speaker: Zora Lathan, Director of Chesapeake Ecology Ctr. Date: Friday, March 16 Time: 12:00 2:00 pm If you are interested in creating a rain garden but are seeking more information to get started, this is the workshop for you! Zora will lead a mini-workshop covering the basics of rain garden design and installation. Bring your rain garden questions for Zora, an expert who has been actively working with twenty native plant demonstration gardens at the Chesapeake Ecology Center. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of Ecoscaping Back to the Future Restoring Chesapeake Landscapes by Zora Lathan and Thistle A. Cone. Directions: From Annapolis: Travel on US-301 N/US-50 E over the Bay Bridge. Take the MD-8 N exit (Exit 37) toward Stevensville. Turn LEFT onto Business Pkwy/MD-8 N. Turn RIGHT onto Main Street/MD-18. Follow 0.7 miles to Library Circle (approx. 15 miles total). From Centreville: Travel on MD-213 S. Merge onto US-301 S toward Bay Bridge, and travel 13.9 miles. Take the Duke Street exit (Exit 38A). Stay STRAIGHT to go onto Duke Street. Turn RIGHT onto Main Street/MD-18 (approx. 16.5 miles total). Bring: Bring a bag lunch if you wish. Note: Space is limited, so please RSVP to Leslie. Contact: Leslie Hunter-Cario 410-463-2890 (leave message) or [email protected].

Non-native Plants: The Green Invasion! Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Speaker: Karyn Molines Date: Saturday, March 17 Time: 1:00 3:00 pm This indoor slide lecture will focus on the problems nonnative invasive plants cause in natural ecosystems and how to identify the native and non-native species of concern. Come learn about our "Adopt-a-Plot" initiative to help control the invasives at the Sanctuary. Individuals, families, and groups can adopt their very own plot to monitor, map, and manage the invasives. This workshop is for leaders (adults and teens) of scouts, schools, and community groups who would like to participate in Adopt-a-Plot workdays. Directions: Please see www.jugbay.org or call 410-7419330. Note: Free admission to the Sanctuary. Contact: [email protected] (preferred) or 410-2862928.

Civil War Fort Sites in the Washington, D.C. Region (60th in the Series) Mt. Hamilton
Leaders: Mary Pat Rowan and Lou Aronica Date: Sunday, March 4 Time: 10:00 am 2:00 pm We will return to Mt. Hamilton, a terrace-gravel, upland spot in the National Arboretum. Directions: Enter the National Arboretum off of Bladensburg Road NE, go east on R Street NE to the end at the gate into the Arboretum. Park in the parking lot just inside the gate. Bring: Water and lunch. Note: Easy to moderate walk. Light drizzle or snow is fine but canceled if pouring rain. Contact: Mary Pat Rowan [email protected] or 202-526-8821.

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General Announcements
Turtlehead Propagators Needed
The Baltimore Checkerspot Restoration Project of Maryland is looking for volunteers to propagate the dwindling state butterflys host plant for habitat projects on school grounds and on other public or nonprofit-owned lands. Simple propagation of white turtlehead (Chelone glabra) takes place in trays of 4-inch pots in a sunny, unprotected outdoor location. Seeds must be started no later than February 1. Thereafter, pots require only periodic watering to maintain consistent moisture until fall, when the plants will be collected for BCRP projects. Locally collected seed, pots in trays, and illustrated directions will be provided to growers who agree to start at least four dozen pots and donate at least 75 percent of the resulting plants. Growers provide potting soil, as well as soil or mulch to bank and insulate the pots. Please contact Pat Durkin with seed requests and questions at [email protected] or 202-483-7965.

Howard County Conservancy Presentation

Importance of Exposing Children to the Natural World The idea that todays children suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder has caught the attention of parents, educators and health professionals across the country. Richard Louv, author of a book on this topic, Last Child in the Woods, will talk about how the healthy development of today's children is hampered by limited exposure to nature. When: Sunday, February 4 at 7:00 pm Where: Howard Community Colleges Smith Theater Cost: $10.00 per ticket (childrens activity $5/child) To register, call the Howard County Conservancy at 410-4658877 or visit hcconservancy.org. The Conservancy is Howard Countys largest land trust and only nature center and provides numerous educational programs for children and adults at its Gudelsky Environmental Education Center.

Winter Woody Plant ID

Learn how to identify trees, shrubs, and woody vines by twig and bud characteristics. Taxonomic keys and field excursions will be utilized to identify over 80 woody species. Course fee includes a copy of Woody Plants in Winter by Core and Ammons. Background in botany preferred but not necessary. Instructor: Bill Sipple. Location: Environmental Concern, St. Michael's, MD. Date: February 27-28, 2007. Cost: $485 (NOTE: Scholarships are available). Contact: www.wetland.org or 410-745-9620.

Frostburg State University Launching Unique Interdisciplinary Major in Ethnobotany

Only Program of Its Kind in Continental U.S. Integrates Science, Culture Starting in the fall of 2007, Frostburg State University undergraduate students will have the opportunity to major in ethnobotany, a unique interdisciplinary program that examines the connection between people and plants. Currently the only undergraduate program of its kind in the continental United States, the major was approved by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents in June. FSU's ethnobotany major will allow students to integrate science and culture as a way of understanding human reliance on plants and the environment. The foundation of the program provides students with a solid background in plant sciences, biogeography and cultural studies. Students then choose one of three concentrations within the major depending on their particular career interest: pharmacological ethnobotany, biogeographical ethnobotany or cultural perspectives in ethnobotany. The objectives of the major include imparting knowledge of the biological and chemical principles of plants; familiarizing students with their unique natural environment; provide a learning environment that integrates both biological and social science theories; involving students in legitimate scientific research with applications that directly benefit environmental communities where the plants are used; and instilling an appreciation for the interdependence of humans and plants. Students will be encouraged to learn other languages and participate in study abroad experiences to help them become scientists with a global perspective. For more information about FSU's ethnobotany program, contact Lyon at [email protected] or 301-687-4213. For more information about Frostburg State University, visit the website at www.frostburg.edu.

Contact your local Chapter of MNPS!

Catoctin Chapter [email protected] Joe Metzger 410-775-7737 Jim and Teresa Gallion 301-898-0678 Please do join the Catoctin Chapter Listserv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catoctinmnps/ Eastern Shore Chapter [email protected] Leslie Hunter-Cario 410-745-9620 Greater Baltimore Area Chapter [email protected] Ann Lundy 410-366-9365 Northeast Chapter [email protected] (Matthew Bazar) Southern Maryland Chapter [email protected] Karyn Molines 410-286-2928 Washington, D.C. Chapter [email protected] Mary Pat Rowan 202-526-8821 Western Mountains Chapter [email protected] Liz McDowell 301-895-3686 Cheryl Lough 301-616-7983 For more info about the seven Chapters of MNPS, please also visit our website (www.mdflora.org) and click on Chapters.

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Maryland Native Plant Society P.O. Box 4877 Silver Spring, MD 20914
Dated Material: Please Deliver Promptly

Native News

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID
SILVER SPRING, MD PERMIT NO. 3567

Membership is for 12 months. We thank you for your support!

Name 1 Name 2 Street Address City State County Home Phone Work Phone E-Mail

Membership Dues:
Individual: $25.00/year Double: $35.00/year Student/limited income: $15.00/year Lifetime: $250.00 Organization: $50.00/year Additional Donation Total Enclosed Please Check: New Renewal

Zip Code

(Your county is the basis of your local chapter affiliation. Please include.)

__ Please do not list me in your membership directory. __ Please do not send me monthly Society announcements by e-mail in addition to post. If you are a business you can be included on the MNPS providers list. Please indicate the name of your business and what type of business it is:

Business's name
__ Native plant propagator or grower __ Native plant supplier __ Native plant landscape professional Please make checks payable to the Maryland Native Plant Society and mail to: Maryland Native Plant Society; P.O. Box 4877; Silver Spring, MD 20914 The Maryland Native Plant Society is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization. Contributions are tax deductible.

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January/February 2007