Leader: Carole Bergmann At 3,900 acres, Little Bennett Regional Park in upper Montgomery County, Clarksburg, MD is a protected area where you can still get lost. But don’t worry–our leader–former Countywide Botanist and Forest Ecologist for Montgomery County–knows this park well and she can’t wait to share its gorgeous autumn display with you. Little Bennett harbors rich species diversity due to its many habitats when also create numerous niches for a wide range of wildlife. We will explore the characteristics of woody and herbaceous plants at the end of the growing season, early-succession piedmont grasses, and the dried remnants of seeds, fruit, flowers, and leaves. Though botany is our focus, we will be attuned to whatever wildlife we encounter. Expect to hike up to 2 miles through a variety of plant communities, including dry and wet meadows, shrub thickets, stream valleys, early successional woods, higher quality maturing upland forests, and riparian bottomlands. Expect some uphill and downhill on natural surface trails, which may be slightly rocky, muddy, and/or slippery. No restrooms at the trailhead.