Hosted by Division of Energy and Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Volunteers Needed for Native Seed Collection

Monday, October 26, 2026

An all-ages volunteer opportunity! Join us for a day outdoors collecting native seed to support the Maryland State Nursery's work to plant 5 million trees.

Join staff from the Division of Energy and Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a lovely afternoon in the park! Help collect seed from native plants such as Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) that will be grown at the Maryland State Nursery. The DNR staff will lead a short plant identification and training session. Frederick County Public Schools are closed on this date, so this is a great opportunity for students to earn service learning hours.

Wear comfortable outdoors clothes and bring work gloves and a water bottle.

Questions? Send email to: Anna.Twigg@Maryland.gov or call 240-910-6740

(This is a fair-weather event! The rain date is the next school closure day: Tuesday, November 3, from 2-4pm.)

More info at frederickcountymd.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=19277

Save the Date to help plant trees with MD-DNR and Eagle Scout James Best

Help plant ~120 trees along the Little Tonoloway Creek at a Kirkwood Farm Park in the Town of Hancock

• The planting starts at 10 am with a welcome & instructions from MD DNR.

• Kirk Farm Park, Kirk Farm Rd, Hancock. Coordinates for map app are: 39.7081694,-78.1991453

• Meet at The pavilion near the park entrance.

• Look for the white & green striped DNR truck

• Gloves & planting tools will be provided .

• Please wear sturdy shoes & bring your own drinking water.

Contact MD DNR Community Forester Anna Twigg with questions at : anna.twigg@maryland.gov

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Hands-On Invasive plant Removal & Demonstration Workshop

Learn how to identify invasive plants, removal techniques, & help remove select invasive plants at Hagerstown Community College

9/27, 9am-noon
Free to attend but sign up is required.

• Two 20 minute education stations will be offered: plant identification & remove/treat methodology.

• Then we will put our skills to work removing invasive species around Parking Lot O & nature trail. 

• Stations will be led by Bob Schwartz (DNR-Watershed Forester), Anna Twigg (DNR-Community Forester), & Ann Aldrich (Botanist & Native Plant Expert).

• Species known to be in the area (but others may be identified during the workshop) include: Russian & Autumn Olive, Bittersweet, Honeysuckle, multiflora rose, wineberry, and various thistle.

This is a follow on session from our first Invasive Plant Workshop in August but ALL are invited to attend this demonstration/workshop day!

An email with additional event details will be sent prior to the event, including any updates regarding cancelations due to weather.

Volunteers are needed to collect white oak acorns at Doub’s Woods Park in Hagerstown

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.

Friday September 25th from 1-3:30pm

1307 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown. Meet at the pavilion by the County Park's office building.

Please note:

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

• Collection ground is uneven terrain and among other trees.

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

You can also collect white oak acorns and other priority seeds for donation to one of our drop off spots. Learn more in our 2026 Seed Collection Booklet for Washington County.

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

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!

Hagerstown Community College Parking Lot O Bioswale Gardens
Wed. June 10th, 10 am - Noon
Tools, gloves, and refreshments provided. 
Feel free to bring your own sunscreen, bug spray, and/or kneeling pad. 
No signup needed; Email us with questions

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/

Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, this tree planting will occur in Clear Spring.

Register to receive exact work day address

Thursday, 3/19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Here is the CBF link for event registration: https://events.cbf.org/calendar/event/1187