Online

As the seasons change, so do our eating habits—and with it comes the opportunity to refresh our knowledge on food safety, health, and nutrition. This class will explore the vital connection between safe food handling and long-term wellness.
What you’ll learn:
✅ Practical food safety tips for the fall season—from grocery shopping to meal prep and storage.
✅ How proper food handling reduces risks of foodborne illness and keeps you and your family healthy.
✅ The link between food safety, balanced nutrition, and disease prevention.
✅ Seasonal nutrition insights—how to make the most of fall produce while keeping meals safe and wholesome.
Food safety isn’t just about avoiding illness—it’s about protecting health, enhancing nutrition, and ensuring every meal supports your overall well-being.
Let’s come together this September to celebrate Food Safety Month and learn how small, mindful habits in the kitchen can have a big impact on our health.

Rights of Nature - land and waters as kin

What are the Rights of Nature, where do they come from, and why are they important? Join us for a conversation on this legal framework, which recognizes ecosystems and natural entities as rights-bearing. Our speakers will discuss the movement's roots and its intersections with environmental law and community-based advocacy, offering insights into innovative approaches to environmental stewardship and justice.

This session will provide a brief overview of "human dimensions" and how this concept is deeply intertwined with the stewardship of Maryland's forests. The webinar will highlight current research exploring the relationships between society and forest. 

This is the final session of the Fall 2025 Forestry and Natural Resources Webinar Series, which features webinars that explore different aspects of Maryland's forests and natural resources. Each webinar will be hosted and led by Daniel Pratson, Natural Resources Specialist with University of Maryland.

These webinars are for anyone interested in Maryland's forested landscape, including landowners, farmers, researchers, natural resource professionals, students, etc.

This session will explore the ecological principles that influence where and how forests grow across Maryland. It will also discuss research on management approaches that aim to enhance biodiversity across forested landscapes.

This is the second of the Fall 2025 Forestry and Natural Resources Webinar Series, which features webinars that explore different aspects of Maryland's forests and natural resources. Each webinar will be hosted and led by Daniel Pratson, Natural Resources Specialist with University of Maryland.

These webinars are for anyone interested in Maryland's forested landscape, including landowners, farmers, researchers, natural resource professionals, students, etc.

This session will provide a brief overview of Maryland's forest land over time and identify current forest conditions and threats today. 

This is the first of the Fall 2025 Forestry and Natural Resources Webinar Series, which features webinars that explore different aspects of Maryland's forests and natural resources. Each webinar will be hosted and led by Daniel Pratson, Natural Resources Specialist with University of Maryland.

These webinars are for anyone interested in Maryland's forested landscape, including landowners, farmers, researchers, natural resource professionals, students, etc.

The LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program is accepting applications for the next group, Class XIV. Applications will be open through October 1, 2025, for participation in the program in 2026-27. Two "Introduction to LEAD" virtual sessions are available for those interested in applying to this class or a future class, and for those who would like to learn more about the LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program. Program graduates will be available to share their experiences, including how tuition was paid, how they managed the time committment, and what participation meant to them.

The dates of the virtual information sessions:

September 3rd from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m.
September 15th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay presents "From Bloom to Buzz: Protecting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Amid Climate Change" by Madeline Potter. In this presentation, we will explore the vital connections between climate change, native plants, and the insects that sustain them. This talk highlights the crucial role pollinators and other beneficial insects play in ecosystem health and native plant survival. Learn about fascinating insect-plant relationships, the impacts of climate change on these species, and practical conservation actions you can take. From container gardens to larger green spaces, discover how to create and manage habitats that foster biodiversity and support beneficial insects in your own garden.

Madeline Potter is a Faculty Specialist in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Home and Garden Information Center. In this role, she educates the public and provides training to UME faculty and staff on insect conservation, sustainable pest management, and related topics. She also serves as the Faculty Lead for the Maryland Master Gardener Pollinators Subprogram.

Prior to her current position, Madeline was the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and Horticulture Educator for UME in Howard County, MD, where she managed a team of over 170 volunteers and led numerous presentations, workshops, and outreach programs, reaching thousands of community members. She holds a B.S. in Sustainable Horticulture and an M.S. in Entomology, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. With over six years of experience in outreach and education, Madeline has also conducted research to support sustainable management strategies for invasive insect species.

Madeline is currently developing statewide resources and tools to support pollinator habitat certifications, recognition programs, and educational initiatives. A key goal of her work is to increase public awareness of Maryland’s diverse pollinator species—including bees, wasps, flies, beetles, butterflies, and moths—and their varied habitat needs. She is committed to creating inclusive, learner-centered educational experiences that connect people with science-based knowledge and empower them to take action for pollinator conservation.

"University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class."

Registration is required in advance for this meeting. For registration link, please visit:
https://chesapeakebay.wildones.org/events/?wo_event_id=10180

June 10: Health Insurance Management, build up your skills to better understand, manage, resolve, and avoid health cost conflicts.
June 17: MIND Diet, nutrition for better brain health
June 24: Emotional Grief, managing grief and loss through narrative
July 1: Kitchen Eye Spy, learn best practices to save food and maintain your health

Note: One Zoom link will cover all four sessions.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact the educator, Dr. Henley, on or before May 8th, 2025, at shenley@umd.edu

Join the University of Maryland Extension Nutrition Educator Jennifer Dixon Cravens online to discover the benefits of plant-based nutrition and the power of incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into your diet!  Reserve your spot today.