Natural Events Almanac

Maryland

Volunteers team up to give baby trees a good start in their new home
ŠDeborah Landau

Event: Red Spruce Reforestation

Where: Cranesville Swamp and Finzel Swamp Preserves, western Maryland

When: April 12 and April 26

Volunteers of all ages will gather from around the region to reintroduce 5,000 red spruce seedlings to these beautiful preserves. Around the turn of the 20th century, this tree was removed from western Maryland by logging operations. Our project, the second year of a six-year initiative, will restore the natural temperature, vegetation, and water flow to the area and restore habitat quality for dozens of native species. As a bonus, we get to pass on our conservation ethic to a class of fourth graders who is helping with our work.

Sign up at volunteermd@tnc.org or call (301) 897-8570.

Garlic mustard in flower or seed must be bagged to prevent reseeding
ŠMeredith Malone

Event: Garlic Mustard Pull and Recipe Swap

Where: Little Catoctin Highland Glade, Maryland

When: April 22

Garlic mustard, introduced by European settlers for culinary and medicinal use, threatens to overtake native plant populations where it has escaped cultivation. We're defending a rare plant population by fighting back with some unusual tools: work gloves, trash bags and salad dressing!

Sign up at volunteermd@tnc.org or call (301) 897-8570.

Nassawango Creek
ŠAlan Eckert Photography

Event: Fringe-tree in Bloom Along Nassawango Creek

Where: Nassawango Creek Cypress Swamp Preserve

When: Mid-May

The enchanting blooms of the fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginicus) perfume the air with their vanilla scent in May. Canoeists enjoy them and many other flowering plants from the creek. Download our brochure for information on how to visit Nassawango Creek by canoe or foot.

Open to the public.

For additional information on a particular location, click on the name of the preserve associated with the event or visit the Maryland site.