Native plants lining the trail at Cabin Swamp in Hickory Hollow.
Photo by Betsy Washington

The Northern Neck Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society (NNNPS) invites its members and the public to a short meeting followed by a field trip to see native “spring bloomers” on April 19, starting at noon in the Parish Hall of the Wicomico Parish Church (Episcopal) on Route 200 in Wicomico Church. A social lunch and Native Plant of the Month presentation will be followed by a quick overview of what we may expect to find on a field trip to Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve, which is a short, 10 minute drive away. Carpooling will be available if needed.

   “Many native plants are ephemeral, but a diverse array of our woodland and swamp natives bloom at Hickory Hollow in the spring, some of which we should be lucky enough to see“ explained NNNPS president, Kevin Howe. “The walk will be as short or as long as you want.”  

    One of Virginia’s 63 protected natural area preserves, Hickory Hollow is owned by the Northern Neck Audubon Society and managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Its 254 acres have a mixed hardwood-pine forest, steep ravines, and a globally rare “coastal plain basic seepage swamp” that contains a number of unusual spring-blooming native plants. 

   Bring a brown bag lunch; beverages will be available at the parish hall. Wear sensible shoes and, if you like, take a water bottle, camera, binoculars, or walking cane on the field trip.