by Katherine Garvey ✎
This week, Wild Ones chapters across Maryland came together to submit a joint letter of support for our friends at Bona Terra Nursery in Indian Head, Maryland. Our message is simple: allow on-site sales at the nursery.
However, the context behind this ask is huge. Bona Terra is not just any nursery. Indeed, owner Jeremy Tidd has been instrumental in the fight for native plant support in the state. The plants grown and shared by Bona Terra are true natives, grown from local ecotypes. Sustainability is embedded at every level of their business model from re-use of plant pots, creating their own soil, minimal use of electricity, and a ban on pesticides and limited use of fertilizer. And, of course, Bona Terra is dedicated to community education and support, having given away nearly one million seedlings to individuals and organizations to date. You can read more about Bona Terra Nursery and the plans for the site in their own words by reviewing their Justification Statement, which was submitted to the Charles County Board of Appeals in January of 2025.
We believe that Bona Terra nursery is capable of not only building a better ecosystem and community, but serving as a model for sustainable, beneficial business practices. As such, we urge the Charles County Board of Appeals to approve the special exception that would allow on-site sales of native plants at Bona Terra Nursery. If you would like to read the letter that the Maryland Wild Ones chapters submitted, you may do so below.
However, this is just one letter. Bona Terra needs more support, and this is where you can help.
Here’s Where You Come In
We are asking Wild Ones members and friends of native plants to raise their voices, too. While residents of Charles County are likely to hold the most sway, all support matters. If you care about local ecology and communities, your opinions should be heard. To this end, you can:
- Write your own letter of support. Submit any written testimony online through the Charles County Board of Appeals here. All written testimony must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Monday, September 8th.
- Speak at the upcoming hearing in person. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 9th at Auditorium of the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646. Speakers will be allotted three (3) minutes each to speak at the hearing. If interested in doing so, you can register online here before 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Monday, September 8th, or sign-up in person using physical sign-up sheets provided at the hearing beginning at 6:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, September 9th. Speakers with accessibility needs can contact Lisa Cureton, Clerk of Board Appeals, at 240-776-6686 or Maryland Relay Service TDD at 1-800-735-2258. For questions regarding public participation, please contact the Clerk of Board Appeals via email at [email protected].
If you choose to support the nursery, Bona Terra suggests the following talking points for written or in-person testimony:
- I support Bona Terra’s special exception request.
- I am a resident of Charles County OR I am not a resident of Charles County, but I would visit Charles County if Bona Terra is allowed to do on site sales.
- This request is consistent with Charles County’s goals to:
- Protect its natural resources
- Promote awareness of environmental issues
- Diversify the county’s economic base
- Support tourism development in the County, particularly emphasizing opportunities associated with the County’s natural resources
- I have been to Bona Terra’s previous nursery location and it had no detrimental impacts on neighboring properties, such as noise or traffic.
Bona Terra is building a better world one seedling at a time. We can provide them the support they need one letter, one speaker at a time, too.
To become a Wild Ones member, or give the gift of membership, visit our national site, WildOnes.org. You can also make a donation to Wild Ones Greater Baltimore here. ❀
Header image from Bona Terra Nursery.