Native Plant Sales To Benefit Local Watershed Group

(April 29, 2011) — The Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) will sponsor two native plant sales this spring to help gardeners create eco-friendly landscapes around their homes, schools and businesses. The events will take place April 30th and May 28th, where all proceeds will benefit SRWA.

“The two events will offer a variety of plants native to Allegany and Garrett Counties available for purchase including; grasses, sedges, wildflowers, shrubs and trees,” said Liz McDowell, SRWA native plant sale coordinator. “This is a great opportunity to take home a local plant and get some landscaping tips and ideas.”

The first event will take place Saturday, April 30 at New Germany State Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. SRWA volunteers will be available to answer your questions about native plants, conservation landscaping and backyard wildlife habitat practices.

Elk Ridge Native Plant Preserve will host the second event May 28 from 10 am to 2 pm. Starting promptly at 11 am and 1 pm, visitors will be able to take a free guided tour of the wildlife habitat garden to see a variety of conservation landscaping and wildlife habitat practices that can be used to enhance biodiversity.

The Savage River Watershed Association invites everyone to “go native” and experience the joys of conservation landscaping: a garden filled with bees, birds, butterflies and beautiful plants. For more information about any of these events call Liz McDowell, at 301-895-3686.

For general information about SRWA contact Laura Haynes at SRWAdirector@gmail.com or 301-689-7156. The SRWA is a non profit charitable organization. Donations may be sent to: Savage River Watershed Association, PO Box 355, Frostburg, MD 21532.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly a half-million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.