Events

Experience The Extraordinary Caterpillar, a visually stunning documentary featuring Doug Tallamy and Sam Jaffe of The Caterpillar Lab. Through breathtaking macro videography, the film reveals the critical role caterpillars play in supporting birds, pollinators, and healthy ecosystems.

Refreshments will be available at 5:30 pm. The 60-minute film will begin at 6 pm. Advance registration is required.

A presentation of the Ecological Landscaping Speaker Series & Native Garden Tours:

In 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, Adkins Arboretum received funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) to provide outreach and education to local Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and the general public, supporting environmentally friendly landscaping practices. 

This series was developed by building on the Naturally Better Landscaping project, in partnership with ShoreRivers, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Pickering Creek, Phillips Wharf, and Wild Ones Delmarva. It is offered free of charge thanks to funding from CBT and Queen Anne’s County, and open to the general public.

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

If you need accommodations to participate or prefer to attend in person, please reach out so that we can coordinate best options.

Annual meeting and elections of chapter Board Directors and Officers, scroll down to see the full agenda. We will also discuss this year's progress, financial report, and ideas for next year. See the Bylaws of Wild Ones Delmarva Chapter for the processes and policies for the annual meeting discussions, elections, and nominations, starting with Section 7.

If you have ideas you would like us to consider for next year, or if you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else to become a chapter leader or officer, please complete this nomination form, reach out to us by email [email protected], 410-656-9713‬, or at a chapter program or activity. 

Chapter leader positions include: 

Board Directors (by member election, see the Bylaws Section 8): focused on oversight and health of the chapter's management, finances, officers, and committees - including governance, long-term and short-term planning, partnerships, budget, fundraising, grants, and more.

Officers (by board election, see the Bylaws Section 9): President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Chair

Other committee chairs and initiatives (anytime by appointment/approval, see the Bylaws Section 10): Programs, social media, website, fundraising, advocacy and legislation, plant sales, volunteers, newsletter, photography, community science, and more. Let us know if you have other ideas!

Agenda:

- History as a Seedling

- Becoming a chartered chapter

- Our membership

- Financial status

- 2026 accomplishments and program review

- 2027 program preview and feedback

- Board and Officer elections

- Committee chairs and members

- Additional chapter feedback and ideas

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Visit the restoration project at Conquest Preserve featuring fall meadows. Take a closer look at the Chester River and Conquest Beach recovery work with cordgrass (Spartina) planting and sand management. We also will visit the agroforesty site where eight species of fruit-producing trees and shrubs are available for public access.

Hands-on workshop and meadow walk     
Co-hosted at Pickering Creek Audubon Center     
Free registration required, donations appreciated

Wild Ones Delmarva Chapter and Pickering Creek Audubon Center are partnering to spread the joy of native plants that you can grow from seed. You’ll learn about the unique characteristics of seeds of native plants and effective propagation techniques to successfully grow them. 

Janet Mackey, a Talbot County Master Gardener and Wild Ones Delmarva member, will lead the workshop discussion of how to collect, clean, and plant native seeds so they actually grow.  She will guide participants step-by-step through the seed sowing process so that you will go home with small pots planted with seeds that can overwinter outside and should sprout in the spring, ready to add to your garden next year. A Pickering Creek Audubon Center naturalist will guide the group in an exploration of the Center’s Pollinator Garden and through the Meadows to see native plants in the wild with their seed heads in their late fall glory.

Parking: Follow the gravel drive 0.4 mile to Center parking on the left. 

Please dress for the weather and walk, bring your own water bottles and snacks. Sturdy shoes and insect repellant are recommended.

Registration coming soon!

Join this free education event...and bring your family, friends, and neighbors! This is your opportunity to learn how to harvest native plant seeds with Environmental Concern a co-founder of Wild Ones Delmarva. Environmental Concern is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation dedicated to working with all aspects of wetlands - the most productive and fascinating ecosystems in the world. 

Enjoy hands-on seed collection demonstrations, plant themed giveaways, and eat “seed” themed munchies. Mingle with fellow native plant lovers! 

Zoe Evans, rewilding coach and VP of Partnerships & Programs at Wildr shares a practical, science-informed framework for evaluating a home landscape, identifying its greatest habitat opportunities, and choosing actions that support more plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Registration link coming soon.

Join Chapter President Concetta Gibson to discuss choosing and using beneficial native plants that look attractive at your home and neighborhood. Topics will include what to consider when designing plant bed layouts, methods for designing, and container and small space gardening. 

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.