Nov 15

Goatscaping: Clearing Invasive Species Never Looked So Cute

By Cindy Edson Blog

By Kristina Arreza
Chesapeake Bay Trust Communications Intern

Maintaining and enhancing its community areas is one of the primary responsibilities of the Edgewater Beach Citizens Association for the Edgewater Beach Shaded section community. The community is a small neighborhood of 53 homes. In the communal area of several acres a park, picnic area, and an active pier with boat slips are the backdrop for 36 goats from Browsing Green Goats. Why you may ask? In the little nook located on South River from Park Avenue to Edgewater Beach Drive lies tangles of invasive Kudzu vines engulfing and suffocating the existing native trees and plants. Kudzu has destroyed natural riparian vegetation along the banks of Beards Creek and South Park River, causing instability and erosion of sediment which fills the South River. Known as an overpowering vine, Kudzu can suffocate trees at the crown when engulfed which, result in rotting roots.

Mary Bowen, invasive species control specialist and founder of Browsing Green Goats, has mastered the innovative technique of tackling weeds in a sustainable matter. “Goats can graze in hard to reach places that machines usually miss; such as slopes, wetlands, and rough terrain areas.” Goats also eat poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and knotweed to name a few. Additional benefits of goat browsing include the natural fertilizer source of their excrement and their ability to till the soil with their hooves which break down clumps and large mounds of soil for a better surface to plant new trees. They have made significant progress. According to John Greene, project leader for the Edgewater Beach Citizens Association (EBCA), “the goats cleared almost an acre in the first 24 hours!”

This project was funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s (Trust) through the Community Engagement Mini-Grant Program. This grant program is designed to connect residents throughout Maryland in activities that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources. A few of these activities include tree plantings, rain gardens, stream cleanups, storm drain stenciling, and yep, removal of invasive species. The Trust seeks to reach groups that have traditionally been under-served in tackling environmental issues and new applicants and organizations from a diverse array of communities.

Before the Trust’s approval of the Edgewater Beach Shady Side Community project, Mr. Greene said that the plants were “too powerful for the toxic and environmentally unfriendly herbicides or from removing the vines by hand.” Completion of the invasive removal was slated for Summer 2020, however, the goats have made a significant impact in their short period spent in the area. After this phase of the project, maintenance will include identifying crowns (root systems) and treating those crowns with approved chemicals for removal. Further maintenance of the entire park area is conducted by residents throughout the year. The EBCA was able to accumulate $2,500 towards this project alongside an additional $2,500 in donations to complete the eradication of kudzu.

The Arundel Rivers Federation (ARF) aided in raising awareness and publicity for the rest of the Edgewater Beach Shaded community to be educated and involved in this portion of the project. In the second phase, ARF intends on hosting a kayak trip with area neighbors and the South Riverkeeper – to inform them about native riparian plants and their importance to the river. Additional opportunities for outreach include anticipated services from Annapolis area high schools – including the Annapolis High Key Club. The project intends to educate students about the issue of invasive plants and river health.

Recently, the community and their project was featured in the Edgewater Patch. Read the full story here.

Mar 16

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Town of Forest Heights Keeps Street Trees Healthy and Thriving

By Cindy Edson Blog

Tree Keepers project funded by Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program

Trees are essential—they clean the air, lower the temperature of cities during warm weather, and reduce heating bills in cold weather. They also act as filters to clean stormwater and slow the flow of water during heavy rains to reduce flooding, which is why even urban areas need plenty of trees. Trees along sidewalks and roads in urban areas are known as “street trees.” Street trees require regular care and maintenance to keep them healthy and thriving.

The Town of Forest Heights received a Prince George’s Stormwater Stewardship Grant to fund their unique Tree Keepers project, a summer program which combined a maintenance plan for existing street trees with job training and mentorship for high school students and a community outreach plan to engage citizens in the care and maintenance of street trees.

Using grant funds, the Town hired six high school students from Oxon Hill and Potomac High Schools, one college graduate student, and one community elder for the summer program. These new hires for the project were known as the “Tree Keepers.”

At the start of the project, the Tree Keepers learned about trees from two certified arborists. Then they examined, watered, mulched, and pruned 150 street trees. The group also conducted research to identify and catalogue trees. The Town will use this data to create an environmental asset inventory.

ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY

The Tree Keepers engaged Town residents using an educational campaign that focused on sharing the benefits of trees, including improved property value, stormwater collection, air quality, and energy conservation. In addition, the Tree Keepers talked with people who lived near the street trees to share the value of the tree, along with a few easy tips to help the tree continue to grow and thrive. They also shared a brochure with residents that they developed as part of the program.

PROJECT SUCCESS!

This project was a success for the Town of Forest Heights. The high school students gained job experience, some for the first time, and the guidance of the community elder and the graduate student was a successful model for mentoring and learning in the program. Building capacity within the community and building job skills was important goal of the project. The Town even hired one of the students at the end of the summer to provide maintenance and upkeep for plants at the Town Hall property.

Most importantly, the Tree Keepers forged connections with homeowners about the care and maintenance of the trees in their neighborhood. Now Town residents are interested and excited about their street trees!

PRINCE GEORGE’S STORMWATER STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE) partners with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to offer the Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program to support clean water projects and engage citizens throughout Prince George’s County. Applications for this program are currently closed, but will reopen in June/July 2018.

GET INVOLVED

Are you interested in planting a tree?

The following organizations have received funding through the Prince George’s Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program to plant trees on private individual residential property in Prince George’s County in 2018:

Contact them to inquire about planting opportunities on your property or in your neighborhood!

Oct 11

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Students, Chesapeake Conservation Corp Member Learn about Bay Culture and Ecosystem on Trip to Fox Island

By Cindy Edson Blog

(Photos courtesy of Morgan Jones.)

An island with no time, marsh bouquets, and stories by fire light

By Morgan Jones

Barely visible on the horizon, a resilient piece of marshy land sits with a single structure that catches the light of the midday sun. With Tangier Island to its west and Pocomoke Sound to the east, Fox Island rests there quietly in the Chesapeake Bay. The blue-green waters around it are teeming with life. Built in the 1920’s as a hunting lodge, the quaint building on the island is now an environmental educational center owned by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Thanks to CBF, school groups from all around the watershed can visit Fox, as it’s known, for an authentic island experience. In September, I spent three days on Fox Island with a group of students from the Key School of Annapolis as part of my experience as a Chesapeake Conservation Corps member with CBF.

Aboard the Walter Ridder, a 40-foot jet boat, our group motored away from the town of Crisfield on Maryland’s eastern shore and out into the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. As we traveled further from shore, the legendary islands of Smith, Tangier, and Fox began to take form around us. The students were bursting with curiosity and excitement.

Before I knew it, we pulled up to the dock at Fox. Soon after getting settled, we met in the living room to listen to the rules of the island. One rule in particular stuck with me:

“There is a time and a place for everything, and here is a place where time is nothing.”

Adam Dunn, the Fox Island Manager, explained that from now on we would be living on “island time.” He went around the room collecting cell phones and watches from all of the students. Then, he said, “your normal lives are filled with schedules and routines, but out here all of that goes away.” After this, whenever a student asked for the time, the reply was always “it’s island time.”

The next few days were filled with nonstop adventures. Students learned how to bait and set their own crab pots, dredge for oysters, and identify exciting species that frequent the bay such as red beard sponges, lined seahorses, and black-fingered mud crabs. We spent a few hours on the neighboring island of Tangier where the kids were able to meet island locals and observe the similarities and differences between island culture and their own. To let out some extra energy, we went mud muckin’ and collected bouquets of marsh flowers and grasses.

The nights were just as thrilling. Students stared up at a clear night sky bursting with stars, and they tasted the famous Smith Island cake one evening after dinner. Perhaps my favorite experience of all was sitting around a warm, crackling fire listening to Captain Larry Laird tell the story of the “Green Man” and feeling more spooked than most of the kids.

The time I spent on Fox Island felt magical, and I believe that the students felt it too. The environmental education experiences that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation provides to kids, many of which are funded by grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, last a lifetime in their memories. Not only does it draw them closer to the ecosystem, culture, and history of the Chesapeake Bay, but ultimately the rest of the natural world around them.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust offers two educational grant programs that can supply funding for similar environmental field experiences for your students or school. The Trust’s Environmental Education Mini-Grant Program, which awards up to $5,000, is open and accepting applications until January 12, 2018, at 5 pm. The Environmental Education Grant Program, which awards between $5,001 and $40,000 per year (with a multi-year option), is open and accepting applications until December 8, 2017, at 5 pm.

To learn more about CBF’s invaluable educational field programs, visit their website.

Morgan Jones is a Chesapeake Conservation Corps member working for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. She splits her time between the Environmental Protection and Restoration Department and the Education Department. This position provides her with professional, educational, and social skills to advance in the environmental field.

Aug 31

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Chesapeake Conservation Corps Profile: Sam Myers & The Nature Conservancy

By Joe Toolan Blog

Sam coring a white pine as part of her Capstone project to study the impact of historical fires on forest structure at TNC’s Sideling Hill Creek preserve in western Maryland. (Photo: Deborah Landau/TNC)

Participating in the Chesapeake Conservation Corps (Corps) is a unique experience. We are showcasing the individual Conservation Corps members in the 2019-2020 cohort along with information on their host site and descriptions of the incredible work they are doing. This month’s featured Corps member: Sam Myers.

Growing up in Maryland, Sam’s love for the environment was ignited by her experiences in the marshes of the Chesapeake Bay. Sam will always remember her middle school field trip where her class spent time out on the water setting out crab pots, netting fish close to the shore, and mucking in the nearby marsh. She states, “this hands-on learning is what drew me to environmental science and sparked my love for ecology and environmental conservation.” During her time at Washington University in St. Louis, she pursued a degree in environmental studies and worked in their research labs studying plant population ecology and plant pathology. In college, Sam was able to visit the Mojave Desert in California, and Hawaii to study the unique ecology and geology on federally managed lands. Sam also studied abroad in Panama learning about tropical ecology and indigenous resource conservation. Her time traveling helped her realize that there is so much more to learn about the natural world and how different communities work to manage and preserve it.

Chesapeake Conservation Corps members learned how to core trees and helped collect data for Sam’s capstone project at TNC’s Sideling Hill Creek preserve as part of a site visit that she hosted in February.

Upon beginning her time in the Corps, Sam initially wanted to learn about and contribute to environmental conservation projects and spend time working out in the field. She feels lucky to have been placed with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in their Maryland/District of Columbia office where she learned about restoration, land management, and conservation science.

Spanning 79 countries and territories alongside all 50 states, TNC is a science-based organization whose mission is to “conserve the lands and waters on which all life depend” by working with partners to advance conservation locally, regionally, and globally. Sam supports their mission as part of the Land Management team by assisting with controlled burns, monitoring rare plant species, and removing invasive species on their preserves. Sam has been able to work on multiple research projects of her own, including an ecosystem services analysis of TNC’s preserves in Maryland and a Capstone project, which is part of each Corps member’s work plan for the year, and is a graduation requirement.

One of her favorite things to experience (before COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in Maryland) was exploring the different landscapes across the state encapsulated in TNC’s preserves—from the Delmarva bay wetlands on the Eastern Shore to the Central Appalachian forests and montane bogs in western Maryland. Even though she grew up in Maryland, Sam admits, she had no idea of the vastly diverse ecological communities feeding into the treasured Chesapeake Bay.

Assisting with a controlled burn at Plum Creek Cedar Swamp on the Eastern Shore in January 2020. The burn helped to prepare two grass fields for a longleaf pine planting in February. (Photo: Chase McLean/TNC)

For her Capstone project, Sam studied the impact of historical fires on forest structure at TNC’S Sideling Hill Creek preserve in western Maryland. Sideling Hill Creek preserve is an 800-acre oak-pine forest with areas of shale barrens that harbor the unique biodiversity of plants and animals. TNC has been conducting controlled burns since 1962 and uses fire as a management tool to sustain fire-dependent ecosystems and prevent catastrophic wildfires. In Maryland, TNC has been conducting controlled burns on the Eastern Shore since 2008 and has started to develop a burn program in western Maryland (central Appalachians). Though fire was once common and widespread throughout this region, fire exclusion during the past century has threatened the dynamics of this forest. Sam’s capstone project examines how the fire history at Sideling Hill Creek may have shaped today’s forest dynamics. It will serve as a baseline to inform TNC’s management of the preserve and can also inform management of forests regionally across the central Appalachians.

At TNC, Sam has been able to dip her toes into different conservation projects and learn about the interdisciplinary functioning of a global non-profit conservation organization. Sam states that through this opportunity she has gotten to know some wonderful people who have enriched her Corps experience, including her mentor, Deborah Landau. Among other professional development opportunities, the Chesapeake Conservation Corps program also provided a variety of opportunities to learn about other environmental organizations and work alongside other Corps members. Sam will be attending the University of Massachusetts – Amherst to further her learning in their Master of Science program for Environmental Conservation, where she will take a sustained connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the people she has met through the Corps. Sam hopes to continue developing interdisciplinary skills to bridge the gap between conservation practitioners and scientists.

Gearing up for a controlled burn at Sideling Hill Creek preserve in western Maryland in November 2019. (Photo: Sev Smith/TNC).

The 2019-2020 class of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps graduated on August 13^th, 2020 at a virtual ceremony, where Tamara Toles O’Laughlin the North American Director of 350.org gave an inspiring speech. The graduating class has members who are attending graduate school at the George Washington University, the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, and Yale University; working in other “corps” positions like AmeriCorps or TerraCorps; and working at organizations like the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Horizons Outdoor Learning Center, and ShoreRivers; to name a few.

The 2020-2021 class of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps had orientation on August 18^th, 2020 at a virtual ceremony. To find out more about the new members and their host sites please see their member placements, here. The Chesapeake Bay Trust is also excited to announce the first Corps Alumni web page is now available here, showcasing 10 years of the program.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust thanks the 2020 – 2021 Corps program supporters, BGE an Exelon Company, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Parks Service Chesapeake Bay Office, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, American Chestnut Land Trust, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks – Carrie Murray Nature Center, and Maryland Department of the Environment.

Jul 27

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Working with Faith-Based Organizations to Implement Stormwater Solutions

By Kathy Somoza Blog

In 2015, Anacostia Riverkeeper received an award through the Prince George’s Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program to carry out their High-Volume Community Cistern project. This project had four primary objectives, which were to: 1) demonstrate the effectiveness of high-capacity cisterns, 2) reduce stormwater runoff, 3) engage and form relationships with faith-based organizations, and 4) encourage members of faith-based organizations to participate in Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program.

The objectives for this project aligned with the goals of the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship program, which strives to improve neighborhoods, improve water quality in the County’s waterways, and engage County residents in stormwater issues. Since 2014, Prince George’s County Department of the Environment has partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to fund impactful projects that strive to accomplish these goals. The Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program is a second program funded by the County that incentivizes environmental stewardship by offering reimbursement to homeowners, businesses, and others for installing practices that will improve stormwater runoff quality, reduce runoff quantity, and improve local streams and rivers. This program operates on a rolling deadline and is currently accepting applications.

Anacostia Riverkeeper worked with First Baptist Church of Glenarden, St. Ambrose Catho lic Church, and St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. To connect with and engage members of each faith-based organization, Anacostia Riverkeeper conducted stormwater outreach events at each of the three locations where they planned to install a high-volume cistern. Five outreach events were conducted with the help of Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. These outreach events were offered in English and Spanish, which increased accessibility and helped to draw in over 170 participants. The events covered stormwater runoff and offered potential solutions and actions that participants could take. Anacostia Riverkeeper also informed participants about the existing opportunity to apply to the Prince George’s Rain Check Rebate Program to install stormwater management practices at their own homes.

Educational signage placed at each cistern installation.

To directly address stormwater management needs, high-volume cisterns were installed on each of the faith-based organizations’ properties. Each cistern captures between 17,500 to 39,000 gallons of stormwater per year, which reduces the amount of stormwater runoff and pollution that flows into local streams and rivers, and allows the stormwater to be used for other purposes.

Congratulations to Anacostia Riverkeeper on a successful project that engaged community members and directly addressed stormwater management!

May 20

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Thank You and Farewell to Behnke Nurseries

By Nguyen Le Blog

After 89 years, Behnke Nurseries announced that this spring season would be their last. They will close their nursery on the evening of Saturday, June 15th. Behnke Nurseries grew to be more than just a garden center. It became a beloved destination with kind and knowledgeable staff who created a sense of community. Over the years, Behnke Nurseries has been a wonderful community partner in Prince George’s County, for the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and to other awardees.

In 2014 and 2015, Behnke Nurseries partnered with the Low Impact Development Center (LID Center). The LID Center received two grant awards through the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program to conduct two projects with Behnke Nurseries. These projects aimed to showcase the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate program and reduce stormwater runoff on Behnke’s property.

For the first project, the LID Center and Behnke’s installed all seven of the Rain Check Rebate stormwater practices on Behnke’s property. The seven practices include rain barrels, cisterns, urban tree canopies, rain gardens, pavement removal, permeable pavement, and green roofs. These practices improve local waterways by reducing polluted runoff from entering our streams and rivers. Each of the installations included educational signage for visitors to learn about the practices and how they work.

For the second project, the LID Center and Behnke’s installed a Rain Check Rebate resource center inside Behnke’s to provide information about the program and how to participate. For several years, Behnke’s has served as a demonstration site for the Rain Check Rebate program where residents and others can see the practices in action, learn how to implement them on their property, and how to participate in the program.

In addition, Behnke Nurseries won the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Commercial Stewards Award in 2017 for their commitment to environmental stewardship. This award recognized Behnke’s devotion to environmental stewardship as a company in many ways. First, they have promoted the use of and educating the community about native plants through their “BaySafe Plants Program.” Second, they integrated environmental stewardship into their business practices through responsible procurement and marketing. Third, they implemented an array of innovative practices on their own property to improve water quality and reduce runoff. Finally, Behnke’s has partnered with other community organizations to further environmental initiatives.

Launched in 1998, the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Scholarship and Awards Program honors students, educators, individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations for their work to promote environmental education, improve local communities, and help restore the natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay region.

Thank you Behnke Nurseries for all you have done for our community and environment. We are all the better for having known and worked with you!

Apr 01

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Tips for Living Green at Home and in Your Community

By Janelle Kellison Blog

Tips for Living Green at Home and in Your Community

As both users and admirers of Mother Nature, we have the power to come together and take action that enriches our world’s natural resources while ensuring our local communities are healthy and safe for everyone.

Environmental stewardship is the responsibility of anyone with an environmental impact, to maintain a healthy and sustainable planet while enhancing human well-being. Over a billion people come together to celebrate Earth Day and spread awareness about the significance of safeguarding the environment. The planet faces various threats like pollution and ocean acidification. Therefore, we must become a part of the solution. It is our responsibility to sustain our environment for future generations, and Earth Day serves as a reminder.

Here are some tips for living green at home and in your community:

Ditch Single-Use Plastics

Plastic is convenient for storage, but the material has led to a significant amount of waste. Since the 1980s, the use of plastic has increased six-fold, resulting in the production of about 380 million tons of plastic each year. We can reduce plastic use by opting for alternatives such as beeswax or vegan wraps, environmentally friendly food bags, reusable stretch silicone food lids, or metal water bottles. By doing so, we also reduce our carbon footprint. Less plastic means less oil, energy, and other natural resource consumption.

Challenge Yourself and Your Community to Be Waste-Free

Always remember: “Reduce, reuse, recycle.” Simple actions such as composting your food waste and purchasing products with minimal, or no packaging can help reduce waste and pollution. You can also upcycle your household items. Consider setting up community recycling and compost bins in your neighborhood public spaces as well as educating residents on best practices.

Improve Your Community Conservation Efforts

Engaging your community is essential. Consider organizing group activities such as picking up garbage, cleaning local waterways, and planting trees and shrubs to improve the area and prevent soil erosion. Spreading the word and encouraging others to participate in these efforts can have a positive impact not only in your community, but also in other places of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Get Involved with Environmental Organizations

Numerous environmental organizations operate within communities and beyond. The Chesapeake Bay Trust is dedicated to empowering diverse groups to take action for a healthier Chesapeake Bay region through conservation, education, and community restoration projects. We work with many federal partners to collaboratively support natural resource projects. Here at the Bay Trust, we appreciate all our grantees, federal, state, local, corporate, and funding partners, and our donors, all of whom enable us to expand our reach and make these projects possible. You can support our mission with your much-appreciated gift which empowers your communities to restore nature, ensuring benefits from the world’s natural resources.

Feb 27

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Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program Feature: The City of Annapolis and the Fairwinds Condominium Community

By Megan Sennett Blog

Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program Feature:

The City of Annapolis and the Fairwinds Condominium Community

The City of Annapolis is proactively cultivating stormwater treatment and management improvements to diminish the impacts of stormwater runoff. The historic city’s unique geographic location provides a diverse terrain of both urban and natural surfaces. “Annapolis has encountered its fair share of stormwater damage and flooding, especially between March and September,” notes Mike Rossberg, Stormwater Engineer for The City of Annapolis. “We’ve seen a notable increase in these occurrences in recent years, and the City has been working to improve municipal and residential systems.” These efforts include investing in projects aimed at managing stormwater through the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program.

This grant program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Bay Trust), the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, and the City of Annapolis. Projects funded in this grant program aim to improve water quality throughout the County and City’s local streams and waterways. These projects can design and implement stormwater management practices that minimize flooding as well as intercept and treat runoff.

What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater is the overflow of rainwater or melted snow streaming over surfaces like roads, parking lots, and lawns. Ordinarily, this water should seep into the ground, get filtered, and naturally replenish aquifers or flow into rivers and streams. However, during heavy rains, increasing impervious areas and saturated soil can lead to excess water running across surfaces, carrying pollutants like debris, chemicals, and bacteria into water bodies, adversely impacting the Chesapeake Bay’s health.

How does stormwater management help?

Stormwater management is vital for mitigating the impacts of runoff. Through the implementation of ‘green infrastructure’ and innovative stormwater design, stormwater is captured and treated, restoring natural landscapes and preserving water quality. The primary objective of stormwater management is to detain and treat stormwater, effectively removing pollutants before discharge. The City of Annapolis is actively implementing municipal stormwater management practices across the City.

“Pervious surfaces and gray infrastructure, such as culverts, gutters, storm sewers, conventional piped drainage, and green infrastructure all work together to protect, restore, or mimic the natural water cycle,” remarks Rossberg, Stormwater Engineer for The City of Annapolis. “It all plays a part in effective stormwater management.”

However, the City can only address public, or municipal lands. Water from private communities with outdated stormwater management systems often runs rapidly into storm drains and drainage ditches. This runoff overflows into streams, rivers, and lakes. On the way, it picks up pesticides, road salts, heavy metals, oils, bacteria, and other harmful pollutants that flush into our natural waterways.

The Fairwinds Condominium Community of Annapolis

The Fairwinds of Annapolis Community was designed and built in the 1970s, well before the research showed how disastrous unmitigated stormwater runoff could be. The designs of the day included large areas of impervious paved surfaces, from parking and playgrounds to picnic areas and tennis courts. Here rainwater flows across hard surfaces before heading into storm drains. When excess water flows rapidly rather than soaking gradually into the earth, it clogs the storm drains and causes flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage.

Laura Vykol, a former Fairwinds Condominiums resident and board member, witnessed the damage inflicted by flooding in her community. “In 2019, we saw many heavy storms, and residents who never experienced water issues sustained extensive structural damage to their homes.” She started to investigate and found many of the water management systems were grossly outdated. “They were designed and built in the 1970s and did not have climate change in mind and thus were repeatedly overwhelmed by flooding.”

In 2022, Laura led the Fairwinds of Annapolis Community, working with Charles P. Johnson & Associates (CPJ), in receiving a grant to design stormwater management practices through the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Watershed Assistance Grant Program.

Once the design of the stormwater management practices was completed, Laura decided to reach out to the City of Annapolis about the funding opportunities available to implement the practices through the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program. Mike Rossberg inspected the community’s issues. “Stormwater does not discriminate. After all, water runoff doesn’t follow subdivision or community boundaries,” comments Rossberg.

Garden Girls Landscaping of Annapolis has been contracted to install the stormwater management system. “The practical pieces of the garden are installed underground, but there is no reason for the garden not to be beautiful as well as practical, too,” Gardens Girls Landscaping owner Loni Moyer states. “We care deeply about the health of the Bay, and we are excited about the potential amount of water this system will treat and clean before it enters our local waterways.”

Public Awareness

Stormwater management systems may be misunderstood or even underappreciated by the public. However, they are crucial for maintaining water quality and preventing flooding in urban settings.

An essential aspect of stormwater management involves educating and mobilizing the public. Laura can relate. She was met with some confusion from her fellow Fairwinds Community residents when presenting the stormwater management proposal. “It was challenging to get folks to accept that these plans were for more than just a simple garden,” she recalls. “Residents and board members also at first did not understand the costs, and that a grant from the City could foot the bill.”

However, Laura worked diligently to convince them that the proposed stormwater management actions would significantly prevent future flooding and eliminate resulting property damage. Despite moving from the Fairwinds Community, Laura helped submit the grant proposal, which was awarded in June of 2023. She continues to manage the project which includes the disconnection of rain leaders and redirection of water from flat, concrete roofs towards a submerged gravel wetland and a bioretention pond. Disconnecting downspouts leading to impervious surfaces and redirecting them to stormwater management systems like bioretention ponds can significantly reduce runoff volume.

“The most satisfying part of projects like these is how much residents appreciate the changes once they see a beautiful garden. Further, the use of native plants and flowers enriches the local eco-system by encouraging pollinators and supporting wildlife,” says Moyer.

Moreover, Rossberg stresses how impactful private community projects can be. “The City loves projects like this one in the Fairwinds Community. We can only do so much when it comes to upgrading municipal stormwater management practices. There is so much privately held property in and around Annapolis.”

The harmonization of private and public stormwater systems can significantly reduce excess runoff and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Rossberg emphasizes, “Continued public awareness and education campaigns can positively sway community behavior. We hope to see more communities, like Fairwinds, apply for funding for stormwater management.”

Click here to view the Fairwinds project design plans.

Click here to learn more about the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program.

Click here for more information about downspout disconnection.

Jan 16

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Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate: 2023 Year in Review

By Kathy Somoza Blog

To improve our communities and the environment, it takes each of us to do our part! Today, we look at the impact of residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland, who are doing their part to keep their communities clean, healthy, and beautiful.

Since 2012, County residents have had the opportunity to receive a rebate, or reimbursement, for installing practices that reduce stormwater runoff, reduce pollution, and improve local river health through the County’s Rain Check Rebate Program. The practices include rain barrels, cisterns, urban tree canopy, rain gardens, pavement removal, permeable pavement, and green roofs. These practices beautify the property and have additional benefits, such as:

installing rain barrels and cisterns reduces water use from the tap and reduces watering costs
planting native plants provide food and habitat for important bird and pollinator species
planting native trees cleans our air and provides shade, as well as food and habitat for birds and pollinators
removing pavement and replacing it with permeable pavement can reduce standing water on the walkway or driveway

Fiscal Year 2023 By The Numbers

269,155

Rebates Awarded

181

Applications Approved

124

Rain Barrel & Cistern Projects

372

Urban Tree Canopy Projects

Rain Garden Projects

Pavement Removal Projects

Permeable Pavement Projects

150,309

Sq. Ft. of Impervious Area Treated

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment partners with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to administer this program. We are excited to announce that Fiscal Year 2023 (July 2022 to June 2023) for the Rain Check Rebate Program was another successful year with 181 approved applications, representing 571 projects, for a total rebate amount of $269,155. These projects help treat 150,309 square feet of impervious surface, a little over the size of two and a half football fields!

“
The Prince George's County Rain Check Rebate program was super easy to access! I just bought my rain barrel, uploaded my receipts and proof of installation, and I got my rebate! It's a great program and hopefully everyone in the area can collect their rainwater!
Prince George's County Resident

The projects installed through the Rain Check Rebate Program play an important role in keeping our communities and local waterways clean and healthy by tackling the issue of stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff occurs when rainwater flows across impervious surfaces such as roofs, parking lots, and roads, that do not allow the water to soak into the ground. As it flows across these surfaces, it can pick up harmful pollutants such as bacteria from pet waste and motor oil from cars. This polluted runoff makes its way into nearby rivers and is harmful to aquatic life and can be a health hazard for people. Fast-moving and high volumes of stormwater runoff can also cause erosion of riverbanks.

Since the program’s inception, we’ve had 1,212 approved applications, representing over 2,700 projects, for a total rebate amount of over $1.25 million!

Thank you to everyone that has participated in the Rain Check Rebate Program throughout the years! Your efforts help keep Prince George’s County beautiful and healthy!

The Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program is currently open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Learn More and Apply

Jan 25

Love2

Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate: 2022 Year in Review

By Kathy Somoza Blog

To improve our communities and the environment, it will take each of us to do our part! Today, we look at the impact of residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland, who are doing their part to keep their communities clean, healthy, and beautiful.

installing rain barrels and cisterns reduces water use from the tap and reduces watering costs
planting native plants provide food and habitat for important bird and pollinator species
planting native trees cleans our air and provides shade, as well as food and habitat for birds and pollinators
removing pavement and replacing it with permeable pavement can reduce standing water on the walkway or driveway

Fiscal Year 2022 By The Numbers

158,912

Rebates Awarded

133

Applications Approved

112

Rain Barrel & Cistern Projects

129

Urban Tree Canopy Projects

Rain Garden Projects

Pavement Removal Projects

Permeable Pavement Projects

69,519

Sq. Ft. of Impervious Area Treated

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment partners with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to administer this program. We are excited to announce that Fiscal Year 2022 (July 2021 to June 2022) for the Rain Check Rebate Program was another successful year with 133 approved applications, representing 299 projects, for a total rebate amount of $158,912. These projects help treat 69,519 square feet of impervious surface, a little over the size of one football field!

“
Thanks to you and for all of the support of the Rain Check Rebate Program. Not only have the Rain Check Rebate projects helped manage rainwater runoff on my property, but they have also been a great learning experience about native trees, the Chesapeake Bay, and environmental issues more broadly. My yard is also much more beautiful and habitat-friendly now for wildlife, thanks to the projects you've supported. I'm grateful.
Mary, Prince George's County Resident

Since the program’s inception, we’ve had over 1,000 approved applications, representing over 2,200 projects, for a total rebate amount of over $992,000.

Thank you to everyone that has participated in the Rain Check Rebate Program throughout the years! Your efforts help keep Prince George’s County beautiful and healthy!

The Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program is currently open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Learn More and Apply

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