The St. Mary’s Arboretum Association, in collaboration with the Chaney Foundation, is pleased to announce that it will distribute free native tree seedlings on a first-come, first-served basis at several upcoming St. Mary’s Arboretum Association events that are free and open to the public.
On Saturday, Oct.13 at RiverFest, an activity-filled event that encourages appreciation and good stewardship of the local waterways, the arboretum will distribute free seedlings at its table located at the entrance from noon to 2:00 p.m. There will be 25 free seedlings available on a first-come, first-served basis, along with information about how to plant and enjoy these native plants in Southern Maryland. Attendees will be able to pick from an assortment of potted native tree and shrub seedlings; Virginia pine, white oak, dogwood, redbud, persimmon and northern bayberry are possible plants available for distribution this year. RiverFest is free of charge and will be held in Historic St. Mary’s City.
Free seedlings for the RiverFest event are made possible through funding by the Chaney Foundation’s 2012 Beautification Grant program. The arboretum and St. Mary’s College of Maryland provide nursery space and care to nurture the seedlings until they go to their final homes. The Chaney Foundation, established in 2003, helps community and non-profit organizations and schools develop projects of aesthetic and environmental merit to benefit residents located in Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Caroline counties. Chaney Enterprises, the foundation’s parent company, is a 50-year-old, full service construction materials supplier located in Waldorf, Md.
The arboretum is pleased to work with Chaney to provide seedlings to those interested in beautifying their home spaces with native plants.
Additional events where Chaney Foundation seedlings will be provided by the arboretum include: Raingarden Presentation on Nov.10, 2012; Winter Tree Walk at St. Mary’s College on Feb. 16, 2013; and the Bay-Wise presentation and program on March 16, 2013.
The St. Mary’s Arboretum Association was founded in 2010 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. As the state’s public honors college, St. Mary’s is committed to exemplifying an honors commitment in all that it does, be it in the classroom or in its grounds practices and management. The St. Mary’s Arboretum Association holds public education sessions relevant to its waterside home in St. Mary’s County, and this year’s overall theme is “Seeing the Forest…and the Trees…Landscaping with a Sustainable Future in Mind.” All education sessions are free and open to the public.