Wild One Events – Chapter and National

On May 30, Wild Ones volunteers, speakers and members enjoyed a fascinating tour of Pope Farm Nursery in Gaithersburg.  Rochelle Bartolomei, manager of the native plant program, provided a tour of her operation where they raise native plants for Montgomery County parks, restoration and storm water projects, and nature center native plant sales. The facility features propagation from seed, greenhouses and open-air beds, many of which are demonstration gardens for various conditions.  The group also enjoyed a hayride tour of the whole farm which includes raising trees and shrub, a community garden, and a composting facility and sawmill where they collect and manage green waste from the Parks and turn it into compost, fill, wood chips, mulch, and lumber for parks projects.