Environment & Natural Resources

Join University of Maryland Extension for a hands-on session where you'll learn how to identify invasive plants both in the classroom and the field. This session will also cover the most effective ways to control the growth of these invasives in hopes to promote native plant communities in your woodland. It's a great chance to sharpen your skills, spend time outdoors, and create real change in your own forest! As a bonus you will leave with your own copy of Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas Field Guide for you to use on your own! Be prepared to walk in the woods with sunscreen, bug spray, and water. Whether you're a beginner or just curious, this practical experience is both fun and informative. Don't miss out on getting your hands dirty and your eyes trained!

Learn about the fundamentals of Integrated Pest Management: A sustainable approach to managing pests that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. From choosing ideal plants to common garden pests, the basics of IPM will be covered in this free, one-hour virtual class with Home Horticulture Educator Lexie Leeser. 

Learn what’s in your water—and what you can do about it. Join University of Maryland experts for a free, engaging webinar (via Zoom) on drinking water quality, including how to test your water and understand your results. Connect with researchers and UMD Extension Agents, and share your experiences. All are welcome! Register here.

Learn what’s in your water—and what you can do about it. Join University of Maryland experts for a free, engaging workshop on drinking water quality, including how to test your water and understand your results. Connect with environmental health scientists from the UMD School of Public Health and UMD Extension Agents, and share your experiences. All are welcome! Click here to register. 

This session will cover the 8 keystone habits of the Bay-Wise Living Landscape Metric, and tell you more about steps involved in getting your landscape certified as Bay-Wise.

Many counties, and Baltimore city, around the state start our Master Gardener basic training together in February. Curious what the basic training, and all else that becoming a Master Gardener entails? This session will cover all that and more. If you're interested in becoming a Master Gardener, this is your chance to learn all about it.

Learn what’s in your water—and what you can do about it. Join University of Maryland experts for an engaging workshop on drinking water quality, including how to test your water and understand your results. Connect with researchers, share your experiences, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. All residents from the Eastern Shore are welcome! We will provide a 30 minute presentation and resources on how you can protect your drinking water, and thus your health. 

Get free gardening advice! Visit the Derwood Demonstration Garden. Bring your gardening questions to the Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinic. And learn about other MG sustainable gardening programs.  

We would love to see you at our event next month, which will be in the BCMG demonstration gardens! Learn the whys and hows of dividing and transplanting healthy plants, and take a few home to add to your garden!

MD Native Plant Guide: Piedmont Region hard copies are also available as an add-on to this ticket, if you'd like to pick up to 3 copies up, day of.

Join us for an informative class with Garrett Dickel, Certified Arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, on Beech Leaf Disease and learn how this emerging issue is impacting our forests and landscapes. Participants will gain an understanding of how to identify symptoms, learn about current research, and explore management considerations for homeowners and land managers. This timely program is ideal for anyone interested in tree health, forest stewardship, and protecting our local ecosystems. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by April 3, 2026.

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.