Understanding Native Ferns

Ferns are among the oldest plants on Earth and first appeared in the fossil record over 360 million years ago, more than two and a half times earlier than flowering plants. With over 10,500 species worldwide, ferns are a significant component of our ecosystems. Yet to many of us, including plant lovers, these ancient, non-flowering vascular species remain a mystery.

Join us to enter the fascinating world of ferns. Judy Fulton will highlight the natural history, ecological importance, and characteristics of ferns and learn to identify common species in Maryland based on their appearance and the environments in which they grow during this Zoom lecture.

The link to the Zoom presentation will be listed in your registration confirmation email.

If you would like to practice your newfound ID skills in the wild, consider registering for our combination class that features this Zoom lecture plus a hiking opportunity at Gunpowder Falls State Park, Hereford area. The hiking portion will run on July 11 at 9 am. If you would like more information or to register, click here: https://marylandnature.wildapricot.org/event-6728822.  You do not need to register for this Zoom session if you register for the Zoom/hike combination trip.

Judy Fulton is founder of EcoPlant Consulting, President of the Maryland Native Plant Society, and a member of the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council. She helped write and pass the 2023 Maryland Native Plants Program and the 2024 Maryland Invasive Plant bill. In addition, she has co-authored the widely recognized Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, Field Guide and the prize-winning Maryland Native Plant Guide, Piedmont Region. She also played the lead role in creating the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool, an online guide to more than 900 invasive species.