Forests for the Bay

small potted trees in the foreground with a group of people in the background

Treelay at Bowie State: A Student’s Perspective

April 5th, 2025 marked the first time I participated in the Alliance’s annual Tree Planting Relay (Treelay), or any tree planting for that matter. It just so happened that this planting was at my very own campus, Bowie State University.

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The top of two loaves of lemon pound cake drizzled with icing surrounded by sliced lemons.

Bake Up a Slice of Spring: Lemon Pound Cake with Redbud Flowers Recipe

This lemon pound cake with redbud flowers offers a local blend of flavors and a beautiful springtime aesthetic, making it a perfect treat to celebrate the season.

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What’s Hoppin’? Phenological Fun

Is there any other sound that is more diagnostic of spring than the aptly named spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)?

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A bucket of freshly cut live stakes sits in a bucket after being trimmed from a black willow.

What’s Poppin’? Phenological Fun: Shrub Willow

Shrub willows are notoriously challenging to identify, but provide numerous benefits to Chesapeake forests and streams!

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A group of people in hard hats and orange vests planting large trees along a street.

Large Caliper Bare Root Tree Planting: A Game-Changer for Urban Green Spaces

Despite the challenges, large caliper bare root trees are a fast, cost-effective way to green up cities.

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A plate of plain acorn jelly slices sitting on a plate resting on a table by a window.

What’s Poppin’? Phenological Fun: Acorn Jelly

Acorn jelly, although there is not much to say about it’s flavor, this gelatinous food has an interesting origin story.

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The Puzzle of Extrafloral Nectaries

Do you know what extrafloral nectaries are? Learn about these essential plant parts found in over 100 plant families, including ferns.

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Rhododendron leaves exhibiting thermonasty in a deciduous forest with snow on the ground.

What’s Poppin’? Phenological Fun: Rhododendron

You may have noticed on a particularly cold winter hike that rhododendron also seems to huddle up for warmth.

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Two people smile while reading a book and holding a tree branch

“Tree Talk” Turns Six This Year!

Happy sixth birthday to our plant identification YouTube series, Tree Talk! It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since the series began, and we’re honored to have taught so many people about so many species!

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Loysville Youth Development Center and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay are partnering to reforest the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania

Beginning in the Summer of 2024, an exciting partnership flourished between Loysville Youth Development Center (LYDC) and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

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