Join Master Naturalist Roy Boyle to explore a garden of carnivorous plants and learn more about the feeding and care of these amazing plants!

PVAS Host: Roy Boyle

Free and open to the public. This program is for adults. Registration is required and limited to 10 participants.

PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible

We will be visiting the greenhouses and outdoor growing beds of the Carnivorous Plant Nursery in Smithsburg, MD. The nursery is owned and operated by Michael Szesze. Michael is a retired award-winning science teacher with decades of experience growing carnivorous plants as well as professionally sharing his knowledge through presentations and leadership in many organizations. We will tour the greenhouses and outdoor growing beds, viewing carnivorous plants from North American and from around the world. This will be a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of carnivorous plants, propagation methods, and the feeding and care of your very own carnivorous plants. And you can purchase plants, soil, and other equipment on the spot!

• Walking Distance: TBD: Likely 1 mile or less
• Pace: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)
• Exposure: Very little to no shade while outdoors
• Terrain: Mowed grass
• Restroom: Flushing restrooms are available at the Carnivorous Plant Nursery.
• Parking/Where to Meet: Participants will meet at the Food Lion parking lot near Sheperdstown, WV and travel to Smithsburg, Maryland to visit the world-renowned Carnivorous Plant Nursery. The Food Lion is on Martinsburg Pike. Carpooling is encouraged. We will leave the Food Lion parking lot at
  10AM. It should take about 50 minutes to get to the nursery in Smithsburg, MD.
• What to Bring: Dress for the weather, bring water and whatever food/snacks you need for the morning/early afternoon.

Register Here!

About our Host: Roy Boyle is a science teacher with a very real addiction to birding and all things nature. His degrees include a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Science Education. Roy has worked as a state park environmental educator and has been birding for over 40 years. Roy sets up and offers an online Kahoot game on various subjects every other month for Potomac Valley Audubon Society where Master Naturalists play along for education credit. He is also a member of Potomac Valley Master Naturalists and currently serves as Education Chair.

About our Tour Guide: Michael Szesze is a retired, award-winning science teacher of 32 years. His accolades include the Maryland Science Teacher of the Year, the Maryland Alternate to the NASA Teacher-In-Space Project, and the National Science Foundation VIP-Outstanding Physics Teacher. He was a Park Ranger and Teacher in Grand Canyon National Park, and the Director of Arthur Storer Planetarium in Prince Frederick, Maryland. He has served as District Level Science Supervisor in Stamford, Connecticut, and Montgomery County Maryland, Co-Investigator for several National Science Foundation Research Grants, and Branch Chief for Mathematics and Science for the Department of Defense Education Activity worldwide. He was a Founding Father of the Chesapeake Area Killifish Society, and the Mid-Atlantic Carnivorous Plant Society, for which he serves as Society Curator. Michael’s love and enthusiasm for science has inspired thousands of students and teachers alike in his classes, workshops, conference presentations and seminars. Michael’s insight into excellence in teaching and learning express themselves in the high quality educational materials he has developed. These materials help students explore the fascinating world of carnivorous plants as well as develop experiences with inquiry science. He has been raising carnivorous plants since childhood and is an accomplished photographer. Michael is currently enjoying his love of carnivorous plants as the owner and operator of Carnivorous Plant Nursery, in Smithsburg, Maryland.