Spicebush seed collection & social
Sep
5
9:00 AM09:00
outside activity, Seed collection, work day

Spicebush seed collection & social

  • River Rd Sharpsburg, MD, 21782 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

As part of the 5 Million Tree Initiative (5MT) native tree seeds are needed to meet the goal of growing and planting 5 million trees by 2031. During these collection events, all fruits/seeds will be sent to the Maryland State Tree Nursery to support future tree plantings around the State. ACWA is helping coordinate seed collection within our watersheds to support the 5MT Initiative and to raise awareness of the importance of planting native trees.

Volunteers are needed to collect spicebush seeds off River Road, in Sharpsburg, MD. This collection site is private community land, so exact address will be emailed to volunteers prior to the event.

Parking is extremely limited so, please consider carpooling if possible. We ask that you sign up and let us know you are coming to anticipate number of cars. Please note:

  • Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and bring own drinking water and bug spray.

  • Collection ground is uneven terrain and among other trees.

  • There are no restrooms or drinking water available at the collection site.

Volunteers should sign up using the online form below to receive notices and exact directions to the collection spot.

**After the collection event, join us in a social at Potomac Ridge Brewery. Food & refreshments are available from the establishment on your own. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket for optional outside seating

Sign up to help
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Mushroom Workshop
Oct
25
2:00 PM14:00
education, outreach event, workshop

Mushroom Workshop

Join other ACWA volunteers in a hands-on, instructional workshop on how to cultivate one of Maryland’s native, edible oyster mushrooms (pleurotus ostreatus). Mushrooms in the oyster family play a vital role in our forest ecosystem as decomposers and nutrient recyclers. Learn how to cultivate them on logs! All materials will be provided, all ages welcome, no experience necessary. Logs should produce mushrooms in 6 - 12 months.

Notes:

  1. Event will take place October 25, 2026 from 2pm - 5pm.

  2. Cost is $10 per log, but feel free to bring kids, family, friends etc. to help!

  3. Power tools will be used as part of the process (drills or angle grinders).

  4. Snacks and water will be provided.

Register for the Workshop:

Register for Mushroom Workshop
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Invasive Plant Workshop Aug 2026
Aug
22
9:00 AM09:00
education, training, workshop

Invasive Plant Workshop Aug 2026

  • Washington County Public Safety Training Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

NOW Licensed Tree Experts can earn 3 Continuing Education Credits by provided their LTE at the workshop.

Learn to identify & control invasive plants on your land, plus resources to get help

Washington County, MD Public Safety Training Center

18350 Public Safety Place, Hagerstown, MD

$15 per person

Attendees will receive:

  • Hardcopy of Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas Field Guide (limited quantities)

  • Fact sheets on select invasive plant species

  • $10 credit to ACWA Fall Native plant sale

  • chance for native plant and DIY management tool giveaways

  • morning refreshments

  • assistance in identifying plant cuttings from their property

Workshop Agenda

Workshop speakers:

  • Aaron Cook, Maryland Forester, MD Forest Service

  • Robert Schwartz, Watershed Forester, MD Forest Service

  • Ann Aldrich holds masters in sustainable landscape design. She is a former Federal Land Manager and passionate botanist who spends countless hours controlling invasive plant species on her property in Washington County.

  • Richard Anacker of President of A&A Tree Experts, Inc.. Richard holds a Bachelor's Biology and a Master’s in plant pathology. He served as a plant pathologist for the MD Department of Agricultural Plant 2003-2006.

  • Anna Twigg, Community Forestry Coordinator; Western Region, MD Forest Service OR Delaney Curran, Tree Planting Specialist, MD Forest Service will be presenting the oppotrunities for funding of native tree and shrub plantings within Maryland to meet the State’s 5 Million Tree Goal by 2031.

  • Emma Tarquinio, Outreach & Engagement Manager, Catoctin Land Trust. Bio: Emma connects communities and conservation partners across Frederick and Washington Counties. She leads outreach for the Whole Watershed Program in the Antietam Watershed, fostering collaboration and connecting landowners to opportunities that preserve the woods and waters of the Appalachian mountain landscape 

Register for Workshop

Space is limited. If Sold Out, email us to be placed on waitlist and you will be notified if there is a cancellation.

Email to be placed on waitlist
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Discover the Heart of Maryland with Catoctin Land Trust
Jul
25
1:00 PM13:00

Discover the Heart of Maryland with Catoctin Land Trust

Come visit the ACWA table at a community celebration with music, great food, and engaging conversations with partners at Antietam Creek Vineyards!

Download event flyer

Discover the Heart of Maryland is a community celebration hosted by the Heart of Maryland Collaborative and sponsored by Catoctin Land Trust. This event is designed to bring people together in appreciation of the landscapes, partnerships, and conservation work that are shaping the region’s future.

This FREE gathering is an opportunity to connect community members, conservation partners, and supporters in a shared celebration of land stewardship, local heritage, and the ongoing work to preserve these vital resources. To learn more about the event, visit Catoctin Land Trust’s website.

RSVP for the Heart of MD event
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Serviceberry Collections for State Nursery (happy hour to follow)
Jun
19
5:00 PM17:00
outside activity, Seed collection, volunteer, work day

Serviceberry Collections for State Nursery (happy hour to follow)

  • U.S. Post Office - North Hagerstown (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Maryland Forest Service is collecting Serviceberry seeds as part of the Maryland 5 Million Tree Initiative to grow seedlings for future plantings. The Maryland State Tree Nursery will accept whole berries, so no processing is needed after collecting them from the tree/shrubs.

Everyone is welcome! No prior experience is needed and we’ll provide all of the materials! We recommend wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty - serviceberries can stain clothes!

Location: North Hagerstown Post Office, 12912 Conamar Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21742

  • Friday 6/19 5-6:30pm

Let us know if you would like to help with the collection. The schedule may change based on weather and condition of the berries.

After collecting serviceberries, join us for a pint at Upper Stem Brewery around 6:30pm! Beer and food truck at 20150 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21742! Come hang out with native plant loving volunteers!

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Pollinator Palooza
Jun
13
10:00 AM10:00
community event, education

Pollinator Palooza

  • Washington County Agricultural Education Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Visit ACWA at Pollinator Palooza this Saturday, June 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center (7303 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro). This free event is hosted by the Washington County MD Master Gardeners with several visiting vendors. Guest will find a dozen tents at four teaching gardens & will learn why pollinators such as bees and butterflies are important and how to protect them. Enjoy garden tours and talks, a native plant sale, educational displays, live music and food trucks, plus crafts, facepainting, storytelling and a scavenger hunt for kids.

Learn more at UMD Ag Extension Page

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BCWA Fly Fishing Trail Maintenance Work day
May
16
9:00 AM09:00
conservation, outside activity, work day

BCWA Fly Fishing Trail Maintenance Work day

Fly Fishing Trail Work Day, Saturday May 16th, 9am-5pm

hosted by the Beaver Creek Watershed Association (BCWA)

Come when you can to help BCWA with stream side trail trimming and tree thinning in the Jackson Trout Management Area.

Meet at the Fly Fishing Parking Lot at 9751 Beaver Creek Church Rd, Hagerstown. 
BYOLunch, drinking water, gloves, & bug spray!

Learn more about the Beaver Creek Watershed Association at www.beavercreekwatershedassociation-md.org/

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WashCo Clean-Up Event
Apr
25
9:00 AM09:00
trash cleanup

WashCo Clean-Up Event

  • 14433 Mcafee Hill Road Cascade, MD (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Washington County Government is hosting a clean-up event for volunteers to help remove trash.

14433 Mcafee Hill Road, Cascade, MD 21719

9-noon

See info on the county Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Xo3ekCmZQ/

This event is hosted and sponsored by the Washington County Government and not affiliated with ACWA

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Earth Month events at Hagerstown Community College
Apr
22
11:30 AM11:30
community event, education

Earth Month events at Hagerstown Community College

  • Hagerstown Community College (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Hagerstown Community College has a full month of activities and speakers to Celebrate Earth Day & "Protect our Planet"

This flyer offers details on Vietnam Vet turned Permaculture Farmer, Kenny Braitman, the Guest Speaker on Tuesday, April 7 • 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Visit with ACWA at the HCC Fair on 4/22 11:30am-12:45pm

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Temperature Logger Build Work Day
Apr
11
1:00 PM13:00
water quality, work day

Temperature Logger Build Work Day

Who: Volunteers interested in assisting with Community Science Stream Temperature Monitoring

What: Learn about the ACWA Stream Temperature Monitoring effort and help assemble the temperature logger units for distribution into our local stream

Where: Crickhollow Farm barn, 20464 Beaver Creek Road, Hagerstown, MD

When: Saturday April 11, 1pm until finished…depending on number of volunteers, the effort could take 2 hours or so.

Email us with questions or interest in assisting with the monitoring

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