The Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners are celebrating the continued success of their Native Plant Project, a community-centered initiative that demonstrates how local education and hands-on guidance can inspire meaningful environmental action. This fall alone, during Corsica River Day and Centreville Day, Master Gardeners collected 109 surveys and distributed 588 native plants to community members.

Over the past two years, volunteers have dedicated more than 300 hours to the project. Their efforts have generated an estimated $19,000 in savings for Queen Anne’s County, an extraordinary contribution that benefits both the environment and residents.

Participant feedback from this year underscores the program’s wide-reaching impact. Not only has it fostered ecological awareness, but it has also helped community members build confidence, conserve resources, and support biodiversity in their own backyards.

An impressive 98% of participants said the project helped them better understand how they are connected to the environment and how their daily actions can influence it. This newfound sense of connection is a powerful step toward long-term environmental stewardship.

Additionally, 87% of participants reported feeling more confident in their ability to care for their landscapes and plants. With accessible guidance, practical demonstrations, and hands-on learning, the project has helped demystify native plant gardening for people of all experience levels.

The program has also demonstrated clear economic and time-saving benefits. 94% of participants indicated that the project saved them both time and money, reflecting how native plants typically require fewer inputs and less long-term maintenance. The result: beautiful, resilient gardens that are easier and more affordable to sustain.

One of the most inspiring findings is the shift toward ecological gardening. 99% of participants said they intend to incorporate a variety of native plants that support beneficial insects. These small, individual choices collectively enhance pollinator habitats, increase biodiversity, and strengthen local ecosystems.

The ongoing impact of the Native Plant Project is unmistakable. When community members receive the right support and knowledge, they become powerful agents of environmental change. The program continues to grow not only healthier gardens, but also stronger community engagement and ecological resilience.

This project began as the vision of Master Gardener Wendy Hubbert, whose passion for native plants and tireless advocacy continue to inspire the program’s growth. Together with the more than 20 volunteers who support the project, their dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work have made a meaningful and lasting difference in our community.

For further information, please call or make reasonable accommodations to participate in any event, email the University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County, Senior Agent Associate for Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Rachel J. Rhodes, at 410-758-0166 or [email protected] at least two weeks before the events or see us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners

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