How different are ferns from other plants? Ferns are ancient, having grabbed a foothold on Earth eons ago, and continue to thrive while others have disappeared. On this hike with native plant expert Judy Fulton, we’ll discover what traits help the ferns’ continuing success. We’ll learn how these non-flowering vascular plants vary in shape and size and how to tell them apart as we explore the Hereford area of Gunpowder Falls State Park. We will discuss the growing conditions they prefer and what birds and insects thrive in a fern community.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. We will walk a short distance downhill to a stream, and the terrain can be uneven in some places.
Our trip leader Judy Fulton, founder of EcoPlant Consulting, believes healthy ecosystems are crucial for human survival. In her business, she transforms places overrun by invasives into native landscapes and shares her knowledge by speaking at workshops and as an invasive plant litigation expert in Annapolis. Judy is vice president of the Maryland Native Plant Society and a Board member for the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council, the Maryland Invasive Species Council, the Northeast and National level Invasive Plant Councils Working Groups, and the Sierra Club’s Natural Places Committee. Judy earned a Harvard MBA and three awards from Maryland’s Top 100 Women. She has co-authored the field guide, Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, and played a role in creating the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool, an online guide to more than 900 invasive species.
Judy, like most of the people who lead NHSM field trips, is a volunteer. Your money directly supports the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Donate or become a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland by visiting https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature/.
- The exact meeting location will be listed in your confirmation email after payment has been received.
- Dress according to the weather. Wear long pants to protect from ticks.
- Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking boots or sneakers with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
- Bring water, snacks, sunblock, tick and insect spray.
- Bring your camera, an extra battery, memory card, and lens-cleaning cloth.
- Bring binoculars and loupes/hand lenses, if you have them available.
- No pets, please.
- Included are two handouts to take home: a complete list of native ferns in the mid-Atlantic region and a fern key to use for ID.
NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
Location
Gunpowder Falls State Park - Hereford Area