November 2001
:BP219/99
3-B-99-002
> **-
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A CITIZENS' RESOURCE GUIDE TO
BENEFICIAL L
HABITAT RESTORATION IN THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED
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Chesapeake Bay Program
A Watershed Partnership
CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed
the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983- The Chesapeake Bay Program partners
include the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the District of Columbia;
the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), which represents the federal government; and participating
citizen advisory groups.
Since its inception, the Chesapeake Bay Program's highest priority has been to restore
the Bay's living resources—its fmfish, shellfish, Bay grasses and other aquatic life and
wildlife. In 2000 the Chesapeake Bay Program and its signatory partners signed the
Chesapeake 2000 agreement, in which Bay Program partners committed to achieve and
maintain water quality conditions necessary to support all of the plants and animals that
live in the Bay's complex ecosystem. The Chesapeake Executive Council—comprised of
the governors of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the mayor of Washington, D.C.;
the EPA administrator; and the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission—continues to
guide the restoration with directives and policies that address habitat restoration, toxic
pollution prevention and point source and agricultural nonpoint source nutrient pollution
reductions. Bay Program initiatives encourage the watershed's 1,650 local governments to
address land use management, growth and development, stream corridor protection and
infrastructure improvements.
Nutrient pollution reductions are achieved through voluntary agricultural management
practices, urban nutrient management strategies and nitrogen-reducing technologies for
wastewater treatment plants. Habitat restoration efforts focus on reestablishing Bay
grasses, protecting and planting riparian forest buffers, opening fish passages, creating
and restoring aquatic reefs and the Baywide management offish stocks. Toxic con-
taminants are declining in many parts of the Bay since regional action plans have been
established and a voluntary industrial pollution prevention program was implemented.
Other improvements include fisheries and habitat restoration, recovery of Bay grasses,
nutrient and toxics reductions and significant advances in estuarine science.
Printed with Vegetable Oil-Based Inks on Recycled Paper (30% Postconsumer) by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Chesapeake Bay Program
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ETTER OACKYARD
A Citizens' Resource Guide
to Beneficial Landscaping and Habitat Restoration
in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
November 2001
Printed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
for the Chesapeake Bay Program
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CONTENTS
WHERE WE LIVE: THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED 1
BEFORE YOU BEGIN: IMPORTANT CONCEPTS 3
Beneficial, Native and Nonnative Plants 3
Wildlife Habitat 4
Riparian Forest Buffers 4
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 4
Xeriscaping 5
BayScaping 5
HOWTO USE THIS GUIDE 6
BEFORE YOU START: EVALUATE YOUR LAND 7
Step 1: Take a Look 7
Step 2: Evaluate Growing Conditions 7
Step 3: What are Your Goals? 7
Step 4: Map Your Yard 8
Step 5: Choose Your Plants 8
Step 6: Plant with Loving Care 8
Step 7: Be Patient 8
Step 8: Spread the Word 8
CHAPTER ONE—Water Water Everywhere! Controlling Runoff 9
Begin Here: Look for Erosion in Your Yard 10
Soil-Saving Techniques for Homeowners 10
Cover Bare Soil 10
Cover Crops 11
Permeable Walkways 11
Direct Water Away from Homes and Development 11
Wetlands and Open Space 11
Rain Gardens and Bioretention Areas 12
Raised Beds 12
Riparian Forested Buffers 13
The Best BMP is Planning 13
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER TWO—Less to Mow: Alternatives to the Traditional Lawn 15
Making Your Lawn Low Maintenance and Low Impact 16
Test Your Soil 16
Choose the Proper Variety of Grass 16
Establish a Healthy Stand 16
Fertilize (If You Really Must) 16
Incorporate Fertilizer into Soil Prior to Seeding 17
Mow Properly 17
"Grasscycle" 17
Tend That Lawn 17
Landscaping for Wildlife 18
Plant the Essentials: Food, Water, and Cover 18
Birds 18
Nectar-eaters: Butterflies and Hummingbirds 19
Bring on the Bats 20
Good Bugs 20
Water Gardens 21
On the Roof 21
Living Fences: Hedgerows 21
Unwanted Visitors 22
CHAPTER THREE—Protecting Critical Habitats: Wetlands, Forests, and Streams 25
Wetlands 26
Forested Areas 27
Streams and Riparian Forest Buffers 28
Fish Passages: Opening Barriers for Migrating Fish 29
The Undesirables 30
City Life 30
Before You Plant! 31
Where to Get Help? 31
CHAPTER FOUR—Waterfront Property: Guarding the Edge 33
The Culprit: Shoreline Erosion 33
Before You Bulk Up 34
Parking the Yacht: Docks, Piers and Other Structures 35
Underwater Bay Grass in Your Propeller? Great! 35
Aquatic Reefs: Nature's Water Filters 36
CHAPTER FIVE—Beyond the Driveway: Getting Involved in Community Efforts 39
Community Developments 39
Schools and Gardens 40
Community Parks and Gardens 40
Volunteer, Volunteer! 41
Citizen Monitoring Programs 41
And Everything Else! 41
GLOSSARY 42
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS 43
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WHERE WE LIVE
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed
^^M^MV he Chesapeake Bay is our country's largest and most productive
W m estuary. It is nearly 200 miles long, fed by 48 major rivers,
^X 100 smaller rivers, and thousands of tiny streams and creeks in
its 64,000 square mile watershed. This watershed covers all or parts of
six states—Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and
West Virginia—and the District of Columbia. It is home to 3,600 species
of plants and animals, ranging from the lowly benthic worms living in the
mud, to the majestic bald eagle. It is also home to 15-1 million people, with
another 2.8 million expected by the year 2020. We have come to understand
that people are the major cause of the Bay's problems, and that the challenges
facing the Chesapeake Bay begin at home—in our own backyards—as well as
in farm fields, cities and suburbs, and on our highways. Why? Because the
Bay is part of a vast interconnected ecosystem. Everything we do on land—
where we live, how far and how often we drive our cars, and the consumer
choices we make—affect the Bay and the plants and animals that live there.
Special landscapes are disappearing from the Chesapeake Bay watershed,
and loss of habitat is the main cause for loss of wildlife. Between 1982 and
1989, watershed wetland losses averaged about 3,000 acres a year. Despite
regulatory protection, these losses and degradation continue as development
pressure increases. Approximately one-third of historical forest coverage has
been lost. Between 1985 and 1995 Bay watershed forests were cleared at a
rate of over 100 acres every day. The health of many streams is declining,
their waters transporting large quantities of sediment and pollution down-
stream and, eventually, into Chesapeake Bay.
Thirteen species of underwater Bay grasses once covered up to 600,000
acres of the Bay. The existing 69,000 acres fall far short of historical levels.
Eastern oysters once lived on underwater shell reefs that rose to near the
surface from the bottom of the Bay. Millions of oysters filtered plankton
from the water, completely siphoning the Bay in under a week during sum-
mer. The human taste for tender oysters has significantly contributed to
declining populations. Today, the Bay's oyster population has been reduced
to a small percentage of historic levels, and it takes them one year instead of
one week to filter the Bay. Destruction of aquatic reefs from centuries of
dredging and tonging has greatly reduced suitable habitat for oysters and
the other creatures that live on and around their reefs. In addition to harvest
pressure and disease, reef acreage has been lost to the sediments and pollution
that run off the land.
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WHERE WE LIVE
With so many people living in the Bay watershed, nonpoint source
pollution has become a problem for living resources in the Bay ecosystem.
Nonpoint source pollution includes runoff from streets, farms and con-
struction sites and our own yards. Contaminants from every community
—sediments, sewage, manure, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and motor
oil—can be carried into the Bay from local streams and waterways.
In 2000 the Chesapeake Bay Program and its signatory partners signed
the Chesapeake 2000 agreement, in which, among other things, the partners
committed to achieve and maintain water quality conditions necessary to
support living resources such as finfish, oysters, crabs, underwater grasses
and waterfowl throughout the Bay ecosystem. By recognizing the inherent
connections among the Bay watershed's vital habitats—its open waters,
underwater grasses, marshes, wetlands, streams and forests—and by
engaging in the landscaping and wise conservation activities proposed in
Better Backyard, you can make an important difference and help preserve
the Bay's plants and animals.
Here's how you can help. Reducing chemical use in the home landscape
reduces toxins and nutrients reaching local creeks and, ultimately, the Bay.
Managing erosion in your yard will help cut down on the amount of pol-
lutants that reach nearby waterways. Special features can be used to divert
water from your house, eliminating homeowner problems like flooding and
wet basements. Creating rain gardens, raised beds, and permeable walkways
are just some of the ways you can protect the Bay while protecting your
property.
Wetlands and streamside forested buffers can also reduce runoff while
adding diversity and beauty to your landscape. Trees act as natural air filters
by trapping particulates and smog-related chemicals, removing carbon dioxide
and producing oxygen. They can even help lower the costs of heating and
cooling your home, when planted strategically around your yard. Degraded
streams can be restored to provide an aesthetic focal point for your property
while serving important habitat functions for fish, birds, and other animals.
Natural areas like these can provide havens for local wildlife and solve prob-
lems of concern to property owners, like streambank and shoreline erosion.
What you do with your property can make a big difference for Chesa-
peake Bay, but it doesn't end there. Get involved and spread the word! Many
organizations need volunteers for monitoring and restoration activities. The
more people know about the Chesapeake Bay and what they can do to help,
the better. There is strength in numbers.
Because our actions are so closely linked to the health of the Chesapeake
Bay, stewardship of the land and water by ordinary citizens is our most effec-
tive tool for the Bay's restoration. There is much that we can do to help the
Bay regain its historical elegance. What better place to begin than your own
backyard?
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BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Important Concepts
Congratulations on taking the first step toward a Better Backyard!
Before you begin, there are some concepts that you should be familiar
with. These concepts form the foundation for beneficial landscaping
and will help you understand why your Better Backyard will be Better for
the Bay!
BENEFICIAL, NATIVE AND NONNATIVE PLANTS
Beneficial plants are plants that require minimal maintenance—such as trim-
ming, watering, and fertilizer or pesticide applications—because they are well-
adapted to local climate and soil types. Native plants are always "beneficial
plants," but not all plants considered beneficial are native. Although even
botanical experts disagree on a formal definition of a native plant, for the pur-
pose of this guide and the beneficial landscaping principles, we will define it
as a tree, plant, shrub, vine or ground cover that would have been present in a
particular area before modern humans altered the landscape.
When choosing native plants, select those that are indigenous to your
locality, state or region of your state (for example, coastal plains or piedmont).
In the Bay region, the primary habitats where native plants can be found in-
clude ancient forests, second-growth forests, wetlands, freshwater hardwood
swamps, dunes, open meadows and mountain slopes. Native plants are well-
suited to the landscape and climate, so they often require less maintenance—
in the form of fertilizers, pesticides and watering. Consequently, fewer nutri-
ents and chemicals are carried into Chesapeake Bay through runoff from our
yards. Because they have been historically present in the Bay watershed, many
local birds, mammals and other wildlife have come to depend upon native
plants for food, breeding and nesting sites.
Nonnative plants may be invasive. Even plants native to other states can
be invasive when planted out of their native range. Invasive plants displace
naturally occurring vegetation and, in the process, upset nature's balance and
diversity. They generally grow rapidly, taking over other native species. They
are often pioneer species, quickly taking hold in disturbed areas. Invasive
nonnatives may be very costly to control, and may severely limit the habitat
value of the area for local wildlife. By planting native and beneficial plants at
home, we can make a meaningful contribution to the restoration of local
waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.
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, BEFORE YOU BEGIN
WILDLIFE HABITAT
Forests, wetlands and other natural areas are rapidly giving way to develop-
ment and people in the Bay watershed. Whether converted to businesses,
shopping malls or houses, the results remain the same: natural habitat is de-
stroyed and plant and animals species diversity is lost.
Habitat refers to the food, water, cover and nesting sites all living
creatures need to survive. Like humans, each animal has habitat preferences.
You can help restore wildlife habitat in your own backyard. Even a small yard
can be landscaped to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and small
animals. The plants you use for food and cover will help determine which
wildlife species will be attracted to your property. Adjoining backyards can be
landscaped to form greenways, safe havens in which animals can live and
move. And by using a variety of native plants, you can often attract a wider
range of wildlife. Natural wildlife corridors are especially important where
large expanses of similar vegetation—such as a row of lawns in a sub-
division—leave animals vulnerable to predators, or where exotic, invasive
plants like kudzu have upset the balance of native vegetation.
RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFERS
A riparian forest buffer is an area of trees, usually accompanied by shrubs and
other vegetation, that lies next to a stream or other body of water. The roots
of trees and shrubs can help stabilize stream channels and shorelines. Vegeta-
tion also reduces pollution by trapping and filtering sediments, nutrients and
other chemicals, keeping them from running off into local waterways. Addi-
tionally, riparian forest buffers supply food, cover, and shade for fish and
other wildlife in the area.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)
IPM, as the name implies, is the integration of biological, cultural and chemi-
cal pest management methods into a comprehensive program of pest control
for the home landscape. For the homeowner confronted with a multitude of
pests throughout the year, an effective IPM program offers a wide variety of
environmentally safe choices to manage pests. Approaches include plant selec-
tion to repel unwanted bugs and encourage good bugs, use of beneficial in-
sects like lady bugs and praying mantids to reduce pest populations, or spot
treatment with "safer" insecticides like insecticidal soaps. In the Bay region,
IPM minimizes impacts on beneficial insects, wildlife and the waters of the
Chesapeake Bay.
IPM encourages the use of alternatives to harmful or toxic chemicals as a
means of controlling pests. Many natural and biological controls exist in the
landscape to ward off insects, disease and other pests. Although IPM does not
totally eliminate chemical pesticides as a control measure, it can help reduce
the volume of pesticides used on the land.
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IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
XERISCAPING—LANDSCAPING FOR WATER CONSERVATION
The word xeriscape comes from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry.
Xeriscaping, literally means "dry landscaping", but is generally used to
refer to landscaping that maximizes the efficient use of water in gardens
and landscapes.
Water-wise landscaping includes evaluating how much water the lawn
and landscape really need; learning how and when to apply water; under-
standing that plants thrive with well-developed, deep root systems; and using
plants with lower water requirements and minimizing water waste in the gar-
den. In some households, as much as 40 percent of the water used each
month finds its way into the landscape, so future freshwater supplies depend
upon wise outdoor water use.
You can reduce the amount of water used to maintain your lawn and gar-
den with little significant expense or serious effort. For the most part, reducing
water use means changing the way you have watered in the past. Key elements
include: timing, thoroughness, proper equipment, mulching, plant selection
and water zoning. Together, they can cut your normal water use by as much as
two-thirds during summer months.
BAYSCAPING
Taken together, the concepts described above constitute "BayScaping."
BayScaping is an environmentally sound way of managing lawns, gardens and
other natural landscapes. By creating habitats that most closely resemble the
historical, natural areas of the Chesapeake watershed, it is possible to reduce
chemical and fertilizer use, improve habitat for local wildlife and create
natural buffers that help protect the Bay from the impacts of pollution.
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HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
esources for the first edition of A Better Backyard were gathered over a
year, starting in the summer of 1997- Although we don't claim to be
all-inclusive, we have done our best to scour the Chesapeake Bay
watershed for information that will help you create beautiful, environmentally
friendly landscapes. We looked for resources through the Internet, in libraries
and through our many contacts within the Chesapeake Bay Program. More
than 200 surveys were sent to government agencies and nonprofit organiza-
tions, asking for resources and leads. This document is a compilation of that
year's research and our 2001 revision. If you find errors with contact informa-
tion, please notify us so we can incorporate changes into future documents.
A Better Backyard is organized into chapters that go from your yard to the
water's edge. Using the last chapter, we hope you will take this information
beyond your backyard and into your community. This is a "resource docu-
ment." We provide general information on environmentally friendly land-
scaping. For more technical and specific information, you will need to explore
the many resources mentioned in the text and listed in the back in Resources
and Contacts. Because landscapes and ecology differ dramatically from the
watershed's mountains to the Bay's shorelines, we don't make plant recom-
mendations. Numerous sources for plant lists are provided in the resources
section. It is well worth your time to study the lists that are appropriate for
your region and to talk with local nurseries and greenhouses. Many nursery
growers know much about native plants and are just waiting for people like
you to create a demand for natives.
We formatted the text to make it easy to find resources. Contacts are
underlined in the text and the Resources section. Programs and documents are
italicized. Full contact information is in Resources and Contacts at the end.
Contacts are organized by federal agencies and programs, state and local gov-
ernment agencies and programs, government agencies outside the Chesapeake
Bay watershed, nonprofit and private organizations, plant lists, and other
resources. Many contacts provide Internet webpages and addresses. We take
you to the front page of websites, so you may have to search the website for a
particular document or program. We chose to provide front page website
addresses because we found many addresses within websites changed during
our year of research. If you can't find the document or program that we
mention, please contact the webmaster of the site. They should be able to
help you. Watch the Chesapeake Bay Program website for A Better Backyard
online. It will be linked with the many websites listed here.
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BEFORE YOU START
Evaluate Your Yard
ere are a few sreps you may wanr ro consider before you start to dig.
Read the chapters of A Better Backyard for guidance, then explore
the resources for details. This homework can help prevent disasters,
save work and money, and give you the yard of your dreams. Take your time.
Your plans can extend over several years. Gardening is a great experiment that
can last a lifetime. Enjoy it.
STEP 1: TAKE A LOOK
Walk your property and look carefully at its features. Note size, shape, borders
(and what's next to them), and contour. Do you have special habitats like
wetlands, forests, or streams? If so, take a look at Chapter Three, Protecting
Critical Habitats. Do you have special problems like slopes, erosion or lack
of sunlight? For erosion problems, check Chapter One, Water, Water Every-
where! or Chapter Four, Guarding the Edge.
STEP 2 : EVALUATE GROWING CONDITIONS
Test your soil. Is it well drained or poorly drained? What is its texture? Find
out more about soil testing in Chapter One, Water, Water, Everywhere! Note
your local ecology. Do you live in the mountains, on the Bay, along a stream?
Waterfront residents will be interested in Chapter Four, Guarding the Edge.
Those of you lucky enough to have natural streams on your property should
be sure to read Chapter Three, Protecting Critical Habitats. Are natural areas
in the region composed of deciduous forests, conifers or grasses? How much
sun do you get and at what angle and time of day does it hit the ground?
How much rain does your area receive during the growing season?
STEP 3: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
Determine what you want from your landscaping. Privacy? If so, consider
forested areas and read about options in Chapter Three, Protecting Critical
Habitats. Wildlife enhancement? Skip to chapters two, three or four, depend-
ing on the natural features of your yard. Ease of maintenance? Stormwater
runoff control? Be sure to review Chapter One, "Water, Water Everywhere!".
Write down those goals and incorporate them into your landscaping ideas.
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8 7f*S$vy BEFORE YOU START
STEP 4: MAP YOUR YARD
Draw a map of your yard, to scale if possible. See "BayScaping for the Long-
Term", a fact sheet included in the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Fish
and Wildlife Services's BayScaping package, for more planning guidance. De-
cide where you would like gardens, trees and open areas. Consider local laws
and be considerate of neighbors. Remember that plants grow, so you need to
leave space for growth and the shade that trees will eventually produce.
STEP 5: CHOOSE YOUR PLANTS
Check the plant lists noted in our resources section. Talk to local growers.
Visit parks, botanical gardens, arboretums and greenhouses in your area. For
the best results, choose plants suited for your region, soil type, rainfall and
sunlight.
STEP 6: PLANT WITH LOVING CARE
Follow planting instructions from your nursery or greenhouse or other re-
sources. Plant only during spring or fall. Be prepared to water plants during
that first year, if it's a dry one. Fertilize only when necessary.
STEP 7: BE PATIENT
Plants take time to grow. Be patient. Enjoy the pace set by Mother Nature.
STEP 8: SPREAD THE WORD
Don't keep your new-found knowledge to yourself. Take a look at Chapter
Five, "Beyond the Driveway," for tips on how to help spread the word. Talk
to your neighbors, community, schools and governments about environmen-
tally friendly landscaping.
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WATER,WATER EVERYWHERE!
Controlling Runoff
ater has a way of taking things with it—especially your topsoil. Your
soil is as important as water and sunshine for growing healthy lawns
and gardens. Soil erosion is a huge threat to your yard's stability
and beauty; it's also a major polluter of our waterways and the Bay. Cloudy
water isn't the only consequence. When sediments settle to the bottom they
can cover important fish habitat, underwater Bay grasses and oyster beds.
Sediment is not the only thing washing off the land. Nitrogen and phospho-
rus from fertilizers, and harmful chemicals from pesticides and household
products, run into storm drains when it rains. They eventually end up in the
Chesapeake Bay. When water rushes off the land, carrying soil and pollutants
with it, this is called "runoff." Runoff can significantly affect life in the water
and in the Bay.
Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients that fuel algal growth. Excessive
algal growth, along with sediments, clouds the water and prevents the growth
of underwater Bay grasses. In addition, when the algae die they decay. Decay-
ing plants use up the oxygen that fish need to survive. Warm water holds less
oxygen than cold water. So in summer, when the water is warm and algae
abundant, oxygen levels in the water may drop so low that fish can't live.
Chemical contaminants have a different effect. If concentrations are very
high, toxic chemicals can kill fish and wildlife, as well as insects. Most of the
time, however, concentrations are low enough that animals don't die. Instead,
they may accumulate toxic substances in their bodies over long periods of
time. These accumulations can affect fish and wildlife health and reproduc-
tion. For example, during the 1960s the pesticide DDT started accumulating
in fish-eating birds like ospreys and eagles. High DDT levels in their tissues
resulted in thin eggshells. Parents broke eggs when they sat on them, causing
dramatic population declines in these majestic birds. A ban on DDT since
1972 has slowly resulted in population recovery. Humans, too, can accumu-
late toxic chemicals if they eat contaminated fish, so be sure to heed any fish
consumption advisories in your area.
Although careful use of fertilizers and chemicals is essential to keeping
these pollutants out of waterways, preventing water from rapidly running off
the land and into local waterways is crucial. Impervious surfaces that won't
allow water to seep through, like pavement and buildings, are a significant
DITCH THE DISPOSAL!
While garbage disposals are conven-
ient, they add loads of excess nutrients
into wastewater flows. Try compost-
ing! Composting makes use of bacteria
to break down leaves, grasses, and
vegetable food waste, speeding up the
natural process of decomposition. It's
a great way to recycle organic materi-
als and nutrients back into your where
your garden plants can use them.
You'll reduce household waste and
improve the health of your soil.
Maryland Cooperative Extension
Service Leaflet #245 explains all you
need to know about home composting.
You can find information in virtually
every gardening book and there are
tons of great web-sites with "how-to"
instructions.
Check out:
The Humusphere Website,
www.composter.com
Backyard Magic: The Composting
Handbook, www.gnb.ca/
elg-egl/0372]0003/0001-e.html
Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission, www.tnrcc.state.
tx.us/admin/topdoc/gi/036.html
Home Composting, www.
stopwaste.org/fscompost.html
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WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE!
cause of rapid runoff in urban and suburban areas. You can help slow runoff
by reducing impervious surface cover in your yard. Best management prac-
tices (BMPs), such as proper drainage, water retention areas, buffers of grass,
shrubs and trees, and raised beds can help prevent pollution and direct water
to areas where it can safely filter through the soil. Additionally, these measures
may prevent homeowner headaches like excess water finding its way into your
basement.
BEGIN HERE: LOOK FOR EROSION IN YOUR YARD
Your first step to managing stormwater is to check your property for signs
of erosion. Soils that are vulnerable to erosion are often on slopes, exposed
to wind, or in the path where water tends to flow when it rains. Steep slopes
and areas that lack vegetation are especially susceptible. The Maryland
Cooperative Extension Service provides several factsheets on preventing
erosion. To spot signs of erosion in your yard or community, check for:
• Exposed tree roots, stones and rocks
• Small gullies
• Build-up of silt and soil in low-lying areas
• Soil splashed on walls or walkways
•Widening and deepening of stream channels and drainage ditches
SOIL-SAVING TECHNIQUES FOR HOMEOWNERS
There are three basics to stopping and preventing erosion: (1) cover bare soil;
(2) redirect runoff water across vegetated areas; and (3) plant trees, shrubs and
ground covers best suited for your soil and region. County Cooperative Ex-
tension Services and federal Natural Resources Conservation Service offices in
each state can provide you with tips for preventing erosion and excess runoff.
Details are also provided in the Center for Watershed Protection's document
Erosion and Sediment Control and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's
Controlling Nonpoint Source Water Pollution: A Citizens Handbook.
Construction projects substantially contribute to sediments in our water-
ways. Clearing and Grading Strategies for Urban Watersheds, prepared by the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) for the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, describes how to prevent erosion during
construction. Contact MWCOG for ordering information.
Cover Bare Soil
Soil exposed by construction or landscaping projects should be replanted im-
mediately and covered with grass clippings, straw or other coverings until the
new vegetation is established. Mulch will protect unplanted areas around
newly planted trees, shrubs and flowers.
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CONTROLLING RUNOFF
Cover Crops
Cover crops aren't just for farmers. Planting a cover crop during winter on
your vegetable garden will prevent erosion. Grasses, clover or grains can be
planted in fall, will grow throughout winter, and should be tilled into the
garden in spring.
Permeable Walkways
High traffic areas are especially vulnerable to erosion. Construction tech-
niques and materials that allow water to filter through the soil are called per-
meable. Permeable materials, such as vegetation, wood chips or gravel, will
protect soil, allow rain to penetrate into the grounds, and prevent muddy
shoes. Consider creating walkways, driveways and patios that are permeable.
Special materials can be used to create environmentally friendly permeable
parking lots. Large stones surrounded by gravel or ground-creeping vegeta-
tion, wooden decks, even brick with sand between the bricks allow more
water penetration than blacktop or cement. Check with your local home
improvement center for information on specific permeable material
product lines.
Direct Water Away from Homes and Development
Unless you have landscaped your property to accommodate excess water, most
of it will leave your yard as runoff into public drainage systems or nearby
streams. Uncontrolled runoff can create gullies and deepened channels in
your yard. Runoff carries sediments and pollutants into your local streams,
eventually delivering them to Chesapeake Bay. The key to controlling runoff
is to encourage water to move away from your house slowly, through vegeta-
tion in your yard and into the public drainage system or stream. During dry
summer months, you may want to encourage some water to stay near your
thirsty grass and gardens.
Water leaves your property in three ways: infiltration (filtering through
the soil), runoff across land and evaporation. Infiltration recharges your
groundwater and the water can be used by plants as it trickles through the
soil. You want to encourage infiltration by planting vegetation and maintain-
ing good soil texture. Improve soil texture by adding organic material, such as
peat or compost. Clay soils may require a little extra sand. Plants also pro-
mote infiltration when water trickles along root channels in the soil and a sig-
nificant amount of water is lost through their leaves as evaporation.
Wetlands and Open Space
Wetland areas that are used for runoff retention and detention should be part
of every stormwater management program. Wildlife is an added bonus that
comes with well-designed areas. The National Institute for Urban Wildlife
reports that the majority of homeowners say they enjoy the birds and wildlife
associated with stormwater control basins. Their Urban Wetlands for Storm-
water Control and Wildlife Enhancement provides a brief technical overview
concerning the wildlife benefits that go with utilizing wetlands for urban
runoff control. (For more information on wetland benefits, protection and
restoration see Chapter Three, Protecting Critical Habitats). Natural areas of
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
If you plan to substantially alter your
land close to a property line, inform
your neighbor as a courtesy before
you begin work.
-------
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE!
almost any type become valuable for stormwater management, especially in
urban and suburban areas. J. Toby Tourbrier, a Philadelphia planning consult-
ant, provides details and diagrams for using open space in a holistic approach
to stormwater management. Check the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
article entitled "Open Space through Stormwater Management: Helping to
Structure Growth on the Urban Fringe" (J. Soil and Water Cons., Vol. 49,
#1, Jan/Feb 1994, pp. 14-21), which recommends designing development
around stormwater management rather than squeezing stormwater manage-
ment into the development plan. Many of the questions and concerns that
local organizations and landowners face when they tackle runoff control,
vegetation buffers and wetland protection are addressed in Local Ordinances:
A Users's Guide, available from the Terrene Institute.
Rain Gardens and Bioretention Areas
Rain gardens and bioretention areas are techniques used in many newer devel-
opments, but they can work under some circumstances in older communities,
especially where yards are large. Rain gardens are low-lying areas, away from
homes, where water can safely accumulate during heavy rain. Many home-
owners have low spots in their yard already. Rain gardens placed among sev-
eral yards or on community properties can provide benefits to the entire
community. Bioretention areas are larger, usually require earth-moving and
permits to create, and should be considered before development begins and
while developing local stormwater management plans. These areas slow down
water flowing into drainage systems and streams, and help prevent flooding in
those flood-prone areas of the community. Rain gardens and bioretention
areas are vegetated. Although rain gardens often have only grass, shrubs and
trees or layered natural areas do a better job. Bioretention areas should be al-
lowed to grow naturally and should contain native vegetation. In addition to
runoff control, the plants in rain gardens and bioretention areas help suck up
water, increasing infiltration and evaporation. Remember to put only water-
tolerant varieties in water-prone areas. Some plant lists indicate whether the
plants can tolerate periodic flooding. (Available plant lists are included in Re-
sources and Contacts).
You can learn more about bioretention areas (and gain tips for smaller
rain gardens) from Design Manual for Use of Bioretention in Stormwater
Management, a publication prepared for the Prince George's County, Mary-
land Department of Environmental Resources, and available at cost from
Biohabitats. Inc. The Center for Watershed Protection addresses bioretention
and other infiltration techniques in The Economics of Urban BMPs in the
Mid-Atlantic Region.
Raised Beds
You can keep water away from your house using raised flower or shrub beds
beside the house. The edges of the beds should direct water onto grassy or
natural low-lying areas away from your house. During a heavy or long rain,
water is diverted to a vegetated area that can accommodate the runoff, such as
a rain garden. From there water will either evaporate, infiltrate, or run off
into your public drainage system or local stream. Grass or other vegetation
will help filter out pollutants and sediments, before it hits the drainage system
or nearby waterway.
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CONTROLLING RUNOFF
Riparian Forested Buffers
In the best of worlds, water would flow away from your house and through
the forested buffers that edge all local streams. Even a small forested portion
of your yard will help control runoff. Numerous publications are available on
establishing streamside forest buffers. (Many of these, along with the benefits
and techniques for forests and streamside buffers are discussed in Chapter
Three, Protecting Critical Habitats.) For easy-to-read summaries on forest
buffers, erosion, rain gardens, wetlands, cover crops and more, contact the
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District for You and Your
Land: a Homeowner's Guide for the Potomac River Watershed. Its easy-to-follow
diagrams and recommendations are pertinent to the entire watershed.
THE BEST BMP IS PLANNING
Ideally, stormwater runoff and land use planning should be managed region-
ally, in cooperation with local governments. The Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation. Division of Soil and Water Conservation hits at
the heart of the issue in their brochure: The Best Urban BMP is Planning.
This brochure summarizes the steps needed for effective land use planning
and how stormwater management programs work. Developing Successful
Runoff Control Programs for Urbanized Areas is a comprehensive manual de-
scribing the strategies local communities can use to implement runoff control
programs. This publication is available from the Northern Virginia Soil and
Water Conservation District. Support for land use strategies such as cluster
development, preservation of open space and sensitive areas, and natural
stormwater runoff control will help communities manage stormwater while
maximizing habitat benefits for local wildlife. See Providing Wetlands for
Wildlife While Controlling Stormwater, Circular #384, a brochure offered by
the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service. Additional details are in-
cluded in Beyond Sprawl: Land Management Techniques to Protect the Chesa-
peake Bay, available from the Chesapeake Bay Program. Complete details for
managing stormwater runoff are beyond the scope of this document. You
can receive full information on regulations and guidelines from your state
government. In Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Department of En-
vironmental Protection. Bureau of Watershed Conservation, for Stormwater
Management Guidelines and Model Ordinances. More information can be
obtained on their website. (See Resources and Contacts for the web address).
In Virginia contact the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Division of Soil and Water Conservation for Virginia Erosion and Sediment
Control Law, Regulations and Certification Regulations. In Maryland contact
the Maryland Department of the Environment. District of Columbia
stormwater management regulations can be obtained through the District of
Columbia Environmental Health Administration's Soil Quality Division.
Planning should be comprehensive, with stormwater management as just
one component. It should include zoning for particular uses, wastewater treat-
ment, support for transportation and other infrastructure, and preservation of
open space and sensitive areas such as wetlands and forests. You can help by
learning about alternative and innovative planning and protection strategies
and by participating in your local government. The Chesapeake Bay Pro-
gram's Local Government Toolkit Series provides strategies and financial and
-------
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE!
VACATIONING IN MARYLAND?
Taking a trip through the state of
Maryland? At toll booths, make sure
kids ask for their copy of the Maryland
Bay Game to make your trip fun and
educational!
technical assistance programs that local governments and communities can
use to protect their natural resources and maintain livable communities.
Documents include Protecting Wetlands: Tools for Local Governments in the
Chesapeake Bay Region, Protecting Wetlands II: Technical and Financial Assis-
tance Programs for Local Governments in the Chesapeake Bay Region, Beyond
Sprawl: Land Management Techniques to Protect the Chesapeake Bay and the
Local Government Pollution Prevention Toolkit. Also check with the Center for
Chesapeake Communities or the Chesapeake Bay Program's Local Govern-
ment Advisory Committee for additional information on what local govern-
ments can do to protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Contact the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Divi-
sion of Soil and Water Conservation for Clean Water...A Community Commit-
ment to Protecting Virginia's Watersheds. This brochure contains common sense
watershed protection tips for homeowners, developers, farmers, local officials,
boaters and businesses. The Citizens Water Quality Handbook, produced by
the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, is also a great
source of information on ways citizens can protect water quality. The Pennsyl-
vania Department of Environmental Protection. Bureau of Watershed Con-
servation produces Local Solutions to Pennsylvania's Pollution: Pennsylvania's
Nonpoint Source Management Program. Maryland Office of Planning devel-
oped Managing Maryland's Growth: Smart Growth Options for Maryland's
Tributary Strategies, which provides guidelines for managing development at
the local level. Although they are outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the
tips provided by Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service factsheet Cleaning
up Stormwater Runoff Z.K relevant to all. Urban Runoff and Stormwater Man-
agement Handbook and A Watershed Approach to Urban Runoff: Handbook for
Decisionmakers are produced by the Terrene Institute, in cooperation with
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5- Order documents from the
Terrene Institute. The Center for Watershed Protection. Inc. publishes nu-
merous documents, newsletters and a journal on innovative planning strate-
gies and techniques, including Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection. The
Chesapeake Bay Foundation produces a practical guide for creating commu-
nities that are more livable and better for the environment. A Better Way to
Grow contains diagrams and photos showing Stormwater management, inno-
vative development patterns, and sensible transportation designs. The Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay offers several publications on runoff, Stormwater
management and pollution control. Ask for Nonpoint Source Pollution Publi-
cations and Projects.
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LESS TO MOW
Alternatives to the Traditional Lawn
Xess yard work? Sounds too good to be true? It is true. There are many
ways to reduce the amount of time and attention your yard requires
and help the Chesapeake Bay! The easiest way is to shrink your lawn.
That's right, mow less. A healthy lawn protects soil, slows runoff, and traps
pollutants, but the basic upkeep takes energy, time and money. So, you might
want to rethink your landscaping. Butterfly gardens, wildflower meadows,
tree and shrub groupings, groundcovers or water gardens are only a few of
many alternatives to traditional grass lawns that are pleasing to look at, may
require less maintenance over time and prevent erosion and runoff. The
added bonus comes when your new easy landscaping attracts wildlife.
The Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Infor-
mation Center offers a fact sheet on Lawns and the Chesapeake Bay that guides
you with maintaining a healthy, low-impact lawn. While you have them on
the phone, ask for Help the Chesapeake Bay!, an extra-heavy information sheet
that is packed with lawn care tips, and suitable for bulletin boards or the re-
frigerator. They also have a series on Chesapeake Bay Preservation and the
Home Landscape. Mimeo #302, Landscapes that Help Chesapeake Bay has a
table of suitable ground covers. Publication #AM 70, also available from the
Home and Garden Information Center, explains how to establish and care for
a wildflower planting. The Virginia Gardener Guide to Water-Wise Landscaping
covers everything from designing a water-wise site, to plant selection and soil
management. It is available from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
General lawn care guidelines can be found on the United States Department
of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service website. While you're
there, check out Backyard Conservation for tips on ways to make your lawn
more attractive that are good for the environment. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office offers comprehen-
sive information about beneficial landscaping on their website, including a
link to the Wild Ones Handbook. The handbook provides lots of technical
advice for creating natural areas, but be sure to consult local sources for plant
suggestions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chesapeake Bay Field Office.
publishes native plant lists for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
GO NATIVE!
Forget about location—the three most
important things about habitat restora-
tion are Native, Native, Native! Planting
invasive or non-native species can
undo an entire project and disrupt the
surrounding habitat and ecosystem.
BE SURE to consult your local cooper-
ative extensive service or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field
Office,( 10)573- 593, for a list of
native plants species for your area
and avoid "invasives" at all cost!
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LESS TO MOW
HIRED LAWNCARE
Questions to ask when choosing a Pest
Control or Landscape Company
• Is the company licensed/certified to
apply pesticides?
• Are references available?
• Does the company test soil before
making decisions?
• Do they offer nontraditional land-
scaping, including the use of native
plants?
Reprinted from the Washington, D.C. IPM project
ANOTHER REASON TO
MOW LESS . . .
A lawnmower pollutes as much
in one hour as driving an automobile
for 350 miles!
MAKING YOUR LAWN LOW MAINTENANCE AND LOW IMPACT
If you decide to maintain some grass areas in your yard, make them low
maintenance for you and low impact for the environment. Here's how . . .
Test Your Soil
A soil test to determine soil pH is recommended before you start planting
grass or other vegetation, and every 3 to 5 years thereafter. Maintaining
proper pH is very important in low- or no-maintenance conditions. The best
pH levels for healthy grass range from 6.0—6.5- Most frequently pH is too
low and soil needs an application of limestone. Contact your local Coopera-
tive Extension Service (through the blue pages of the phone book or the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research Extension and Edu-
cation Service website) to find out where you can get your soil tested. Soil
Management in Home Gardens and Landscapes, available from the Pennsylva-
nia Cooperative Extension Service provides tips on testing and improving
your soil. The type and pH of your soil will determine which grasses and will
grow best in your yard. For a comprehensive look at soil science and nutrient
management, obtain a copy of Chesapeake Bay Region Nutrient Management
Training Manual from the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Choose the Proper Variety of Grass
The turfgrass species you choose should perform well with low amounts of
fertilizer. Many species of zoysiagrass, tall fescue, or fine fescue are adapted to
Chesapeake Bay watershed climate and rainfall. If you live in Maryland, use
varieties listed in Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Publication #AM
77 Turfgrass Cultivar Recommendations for Certified Sod and Professional Seed
Mixtures in Maryland. Virginia and Pennsylvania publications listed previ-
ously can help with varieties in these areas.
Establish a Healthy Stand
For best results, seed grasses between late August and late September. Avoid
seeding after mid-October or in Spring because weeds often become a prob-
lem if grass growth isn't optimum. Check the turfgrass bag label for the seed-
ing rate, often 4 to 6 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet, depending on
species. Broadleef weeds should be removed between May and early June fol-
lowing one fall seeding, either by hand pulling or by careful spot-treatment
with herbicides. Overseeding may be necessary to maintain a dense turf if
thinning occurs or if bare patches are left after weeds are removed.
Fertilize (If You Really Must)
By choosing the appropriate lawn grass, you will reduce the amount of fertil-
izer required to maintain your lawn. However, when you do fertilize, be sure
to read the label recommendations and calibrate your spreader correctly (see
box). Keep fertilizer off of paved surfaces and out of natural drainage areas.
You don't want fertilizer running directly into local waterways. A starter fertil-
izer that contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) may be
applied at the time of seeding or shortly after seedlings emerge, if a soil test
indicates deficiencies.
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ALTERNATIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL LAWN
Incorporate Fertilizer into Soil Prior to Seeding
This is critical for establishing a lawn that will prevent soil erosion and the
encroachment of weeds. Established lawns typically need some fertilizer ap-
plied yearly in September and October to maintain dense growth, enhance
pest and drought resistance, and encourage root growth. Don't apply fertilizer
if rain is forecast in the next day or so. Avoid the temptation presented by the
stacks of fertilizer bags outside local garden centers in Spring. Fertilize ONE
TIME ONLY during Spring, and ONLY if your soil test or grass quality
indicates nutrient deficiencies. The general fertilizer recommendation for
most grasses is 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. The easiest way to follow
this recommendation is to apply 20 Ibs of a 5-10-10 fertilizer on 1000 sq feet
of lawn.
Not all homeowners choose to fertilize their lawns. But, if you choose to
fertilize, consult the recommended fertilizer application guide in Maryland
Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet #702 Lawns and the Chesapeake
Bay. You may also want to ask them for Take It from Maryland Farmers... Use
Fertilizer Wisely: Protect Chesapeake Bay. Virginia's Department of Conserva-
tion and Recreation publishes The Virginia Gardener Year Round Guide to Nu-
trient Management, with month-by-month highlights on soil maintenance
and fertilizing, and Tips on Keeping Your Lawn Green...and the Chesapeake Bay
Clean, a brochure on fertilizer application programs for specific grasses. Vir-
ginia's Cooperative Extension Service offers a factsheet called Ecological Turf
Tips.... To Protect the Chesapeake Bay: Lawn Fertilizer in Virginia. Wisconsin's
Cooperative Extension Service offers a general factsheet that is applicable to
most regions of the country called Lawn and Garden Fertilizers.
Mow Properly
Keep grass fairly long to retain grass density and shade out annual weeds.
Never mow lower than 2.5 inches in height and, preferably, 3-5 to 5 inches.
Zoysiagrass species, however, should be mowed to a height of 0.5 - 1 inch. A
rule of thumb is not to remove more than 1/3 of the grass height at any one
mowing. Never mow fine leaf grasses in summer during conditions of heat or
drought stress.
"Grasscycle"
After mowing, allow clippings to remain on the lawn. This practice helps re-
cycle nutrients and will help maintain grass density on unfertilized lawns. The
use of mulching mowers, which cut clippings into smaller pieces, can be ben-
eficial for nutrient cycling. Remove clippings only when the lawn has sub-
stantially overgrown suggested cutting heights and compost those clippings.
Never blow lawn clippings onto sidewalks, driveways, streets or storm drains.
Tend That Lawn
Aerate the lawn to reduce compaction and remove thatch as needed. Zoysia
and fine fescues tend to accumulate thatch over time. Overseeding of areas
that are bare or with low grass density may be necessary. Seed between August
15 and October 15, just as you would with first plantings. Watering isn't
always necessary and may actually damage your grass if done incorrectly. It is
safe to let an established lawn go dormant during dry periods. Dormancy is a
WATCH THAT FERTILIZER!
Make sure to calibrate your spreader
before you start applying fertilizer. How
much you need will depend on what
type of spreader you use, and the size
of your yard. Contact the Virginia
Cooperative Extension Service for Fact
Sheet Publication # 30-017, Ecological
Turf Tips... to Protect the Chesapeake
Bay: Calibrating Your Lawn Spreader.
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18
LESS TO MOW
survival mechanism and your lawn will usually recover when it finally rains.
However, proper irrigation can help minimize the encroachment of weeds by
increasing grass density. If you irrigate, follow guidelines in the Maryland Co-
operative Extension Home and Garden Information Center factsheets, Irriga-
tion and Water, Conservation on Home Lawns, and Water Tips for Drought
Conditions. The Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service offers a practical
factsheet that is applicable to most regions of the country, including Chesa-
peake Bay, called Lawn Watering. Control weeds by hand or with spot treat-
ments of herbicides. Information on crab grass control is available in
Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Publication #AM 85, Herbicides for
Crabgrass and Goosegrass Control in Turf. AM #79 provides information on
BroadleafWeed Control in Established Lawns.
WASTE NOT!
Pet waste is a major contaminant in
many streams and rivers that can
impair water quality and carry disease.
Dispose of your pet's waste by burying
it or flushing it, or placing it in the
garbage can.
BIRD FEEDING TIP!
Place shrubs near bird feeders for
cover and perching.
LANDSCAPING FOR WILDLIFE
It's hard for animals to live among people. Residential landscapes aren't usu-
ally their habitat; wildlife need natural vegetation that supplies food and shel-
ter. With careful plant selection and arrangement, even the smallest yard can
become a haven for wild creatures. Increasing the plant diversity will attract
the most types of animals, but careful plant selection will help attract specific
creatures.
Planting trees, shrubs, and perennial plants provides habitat for migrating
birds and monarch butterflies. It also provides homes for resident birds, am-
phibians and reptiles, butterflies, moths and other beneficial insects. You can
put up houses for bats, birds, squirrels and even insects. Urban dwellers, with
little or no yard, can help create wildlife-enticing community areas or parks.
Apartment dwellers might try container gardens on rooftops or balconies.
Birds and even butterflies also benefit from these tiny urban sanctuaries.
Plant the Essentials: Food, Water and Cover
Wildlife require the basics: food, water and cover. Birds eat seeds, buds and
fruit produced on trees, shrubs and grasses. Trees and shrubs shelter birds
from sun, inclement weather and predators. Nesting and singing birds espe-
cially need trees and shrubs. Most birds need a little water, which can easily
be supplied with a bird bath, but you can add frogs to your yard's wildlife
community with the addition of a small pond.
Birds. Migratory bird populations have been declining over the last few
decades. Habitat loss, especially forest fragmentation, is to blame. You can
help by planting trees and shrubs. Larger forested areas are best, so think
about planting your trees near your neighbors' trees or natural areas close to
your property. Better yet, work with your community association or neigh-
borhood to create natural areas that span portions of several yards or fill com-
munity properties.
When choosing plants, mix up the species. If you have a big yard or are
landscaping a community area or park, combine different species, sizes and
shapes in clusters. Group trees and shrubs to create sanctuaries throughout
the area; a smaller yard may support just one cluster. Choose plants that pro-
vide the greatest overlap of flowering and fruiting times, so there is fruit on
trees year-round. Berry bushes and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs will be ap-
preciated by orioles, cardinals, mockingbirds, house and purple finches,
-------
ALTERNATIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL LAWN
white-throated sparrows, and grosbeaks. Plant choices will depend on where
you live.
Evergreens and shrubs provide the best cover and offer potential nesting
sites for birds. Evergreens, which don't lose their needles, provide excellent
winter protection. Shrubs with thorns or prickles also heighten protection
from predators. Many birds, like blue birds and flickers, nest in cavities, so
consider saving older trees or stone walls that may have holes. Older, dying
and dead trees harbor insects essential for many birds. Maryland Department
of Natural Resources Wild Acres Program produces a factsheet on Snags (dead
standing trees) and Logs for Wildlife Food and Shelter.
Other elements essential for attracting birds to your backyard include
food and water. Many birds benefit from seeds and fruits placed at bird-feed-
ing stations and nest boxes. The website at Wild Birds Forever provides a list
of foods preferred by various types of birds. Suggestions for providing the ap-
propriate birdhouse or shelter are available, as are tips for identifying backyard
visitors. A bird bath or water tray gives birds a place to drink and bathe.
BayScapes, a homeowner's guide to environmentally sound landscaping
for Chesapeake Bay produced by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chesapeake Bay Field Office, provides plant
suggestions and details on landscaping for wildlife. In Howard County, Mary-
land, you can visit sites in the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service's Bay-
Wise Landscape Management Demonstration Site Program. For details, contact
the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service's Master Gardener Program of-
fice in Howard County. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wild Acres Program offers factsheets with advice on landscaping for wildlife
and how to attract specific birds. The Elizabeth River Project in Virginia es-
tablished the Citizens for a Cleaner River Program to assist citizens interested
in enhancing habitats. For a fee, you can order the Project Habitat Enhance-
ment Packet with tips on creating backhard habitat. The Pennsylvania Game
Commission invites schools and youth organizations to join their Wild Habi-
tats Program, which offers technical and resource support to schools, non-
profit organizations and community groups who wish to improve wildlife
habitat on their grounds. The National Wildlife Federation also offers a
Schoolyard Habitats Program. (See Chapter Five, Beyond the Driveway for
more information on school programs). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Migratory Bird Management offers pamphlets on backyard bird
feeding and nest boxes. The pamphlets are only available on the Internet, but
you can request a copy of For the Birds, a comprehensive brochure that covers
everything included in the birding pamphlets and more, from feeder selection
and placement to plants for wild birds.
Nectar-eaters: Butterflies and Hummingbirds. Over 700 species of but-
terflies are found in North America and most consume nectar from flowers.
Only one species of hummingbird, the ruby throat, lives in the Chesapeake
Bay watershed. In spring and fall, migrating hummingbirds and monarch
butterflies need flowers to fuel their long journey. Numerous bees and other
insects that help pollinate plants will also benefit from your butterfly garden.
If you plant night-blooming flowers, your garden will attract nighttime,
nectar-eating moths.
The key to a hummingbird and butterfly garden is diversity. You need to
have flowers blooming throughout the growing season, even into mid-fall
BUTTERFLY GARDENING TIP!
Place tallest flowers so they block the
wind for light-weight flyers.
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20
LESS TO MOW
THROW OUT THE BUG SPRAY
AND BRING IN THE BATS!
Did you know that bats can consume
500 insects in an hour, including MOS-
QUITOS? They are important for pollina-
tion, and bat numbers are decreasing
rapidly, due to loss of habitat. You can
attract bats to your garden with a bat
box and plants that attract the insects
they like to eat. A bat box must be built
to certain specifications for tempera-
ture, location, etc. You can get plans for
building a bat house from Maryland's
Wild Acres packet, and Bat
Conservation International. Good "Bat
Garden" plants attract insects at night,
and include: salvia, silene, phlox, stock,
cornflower, spearmint, four o'clocks,
moonflowers, and nicotiana.
when late-migrating hummingbirds pass through the watershed. Add a
shallow puddle, with rocks strategically placed, so drinking butterflies and
tiny hummingbirds can perch. An essential and often forgotten element of
every butterfly garden should be food for caterpillars. Caterpillars are a little
fussier about their food and many will only dine on specific plants. Plant
extra herbs, like parsley and fennel, and add native asters and milkweeds for
the caterpillars.
Adult butterflies and hummingbirds favor red flowers, but yellow, orange,
pink or purple blossoms will also do. Trumpet vine, morning glory, bee balm,
coral bells, red clover, zinnias and lavender all make excellent fare. Although it
is always best to use native plants, many ornamental species, like zinnias and
cosmos, are blooming when most perennials have died and are worth adding
to your butterfly garden.
The Backyard Habitat Program, run by Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, and
another program from National Wildlife Federation, called Backyard Wildlife
Habitat, can provide you with details, plant suggestions and garden plans for
starting a butterfly and hummingbird garden. BayScapes, Wild Acres and Wild
Habitat programs, mentioned above, also have butterfly gardening informa-
tion. The Smithsonian Institution's Butterfly Garden Website not only provides
tips on how to start your own garden, but also lists places to visit gardens in
action. For a nominal fee, the American Horticultural Society offers tons of
factsheets like Wildflower Meadow Gardening, Butterfly Gardening, Gardening
for Wildlife, and It's for the Birds.
Bring on the Bats. Most of us think of bats as those horrid creatures that
live in attics and abandoned buildings. But bats can be good; a single bat may
eat Vi or more of its body weight in insects each night, especially those nasty
mosquitoes. Common bats seen in the Chesapeake Bay watershed include the
little brown bat, big brown bat, Eastern pipistrelle and red bat. All, except the
red bat, roost in colonies in buildings, tree hollows or caves. The red bat
prefers to roost under leaves or loose tree bark.
You can encourage bats to eat night-time insects by putting a bat box in
your yard. Exclude them from your house and prevent them from becoming a
nuisance by plugging any holes in your attic before you put up the box. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces a beautiful color booklet entitled Eats
of the Eastern United States, that describes the various species and includes in-
formation on exclusion and attraction.
Good Bugs. With careful plant selection and arrangement, you can en-
courage the beneficial insects that are integral to your integrated pest manage-
ment (IPM) program. Honey bees, lacewings, praying mantids and lady bugs
will utilize your plants as hunting grounds and surfaces for placing eggs. IPM
will reduce your need for pesticides that may harm other wildlife in your
yard. Plants that attract insects also attract the animals that eat insects, such as
birds, toads and bats.
Fragrant herbs, like lavender and mint, often attract egg-laying praying
mantids. Lady bugs will use many plants for egg laying as long as you don't
use pesticides on those plants. For landscaping techniques that enhance your
IPM program check out the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service's BayScapes or You and Your Land: A Homeowner's Guide
for the Potomac River Watershed produced by the Northern Virginia Soil and
Water Conservation District.
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ALTERNATIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL LAWN
Water Gardens
A small water garden attracts birds, frogs, dragonflies and salamanders.
Adding plants around your water garden increases the diversity and provides
food and protection for these animals, giving them cover as they approach the
water. Rocks placed near the edge of your garden or pond tempt small am-
phibians looking for a sunny spot. A gentle slope to the water gives local
wildlife an easy way to access the pond. If you choose to add fish to your
water garden, submerged plants will supply food and keep the water oxy-
genated. "Floaters" or plants with broad, floating leaves, help regulate pond
temperature and limit the growth of algae because the leaves provide shade.
Check your local library for The Natural Water Garden: Pools, Ponds,
Marshes and Bogs for Backyards Everywhere, a book in the Brooklyn Botanic
Garden 21st Century Gardening Series, which gives a complete how-to for de-
veloping a natural pond. If you live in Pennsylvania, Aquascapes Unlimited.
Inc. can supply native wetland plants for your garden. Located in St. Michaels,
Maryland, Environmental Concern. Inc. also has a wetland plant nursery.
They can help you choose what plants will work best with your water garden
plans. The Maryland Cooperative Extension Service Home and Garden Infor-
mation Center offers publications on aquatic gardening, including Publication
HG 17, Aquatic Gardening: Construction and Maintenance, and HG 17a, Basics
of Planting Aquatic Plants. The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service also of-
fers water gardening factsheets, including: Cleaning a Water Garden and Prepar-
ing for Winter, Controlling Algae in Your Water Garden; Natural, Wild Water
Plants ofVirginia; Planning and Installing a Water Garden; and Planting a Water
Garden.
On the Roof
Many species of plants will grow in containers, making small-scale urban
landscaping portable and flexible. An advantage urban gardeners have over
others is that cities create heat islands which extend the gardening season.
Window boxes, wall containers, and various sizes of pots can be filled with
herbs, flowers, and vegetables, even small fruits. Your wildlife will be limited
to creatures that live in the city or are passing through, so look for insects,
dragonflies, monarch butterflies, and an assortment of birds. You may even
get hummingbirds now and then.
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's BayScapes produces a fact sheet for creating landscape diversity,
which can get you started with your urban garden. Of course, rooftop
gardening requires special considerations relating to access and roof structure.
Check out the Rooftop Gardens article on the City Farmer's Urban Agriculture
Notes website. This site gives a good overview of the why and how of garden-
ing on the roof, and provides ordering information for a Rooftop Gardening
factsheet series.
Living Fences: Hedgerows
Hedgerows are living fences comprised of small trees, shrubs and ground
cover. These living fences used to divide farm fields, but in the last few
decades, miles of natural hedgerows have been removed. It's a shame. They
diversified landscapes, provided wind breaks, helped prevent the erosion, and
CAREFUL!
Creating a water garden may require
special insurance! Some ponds may
be deemed an "attractive nuisance" to
curious neighborhood children!
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22
LESS TO MOW
KEEP NEIGHBORS HAPPY!
Set back natural areas several feet
from the edge and maintain them for
aesthetic as well as wildlife benefits.
Hedgerows should be planted at least
6 feet from your property line.
CHECK LOCAL LAWS!
County nuisance laws may forbid
unmowed grass or unmaintained natural
hedges. However, most communities
will allow planted or restored natural
areas. Contact your local government
for local laws and regulations.
sheltered wildlife. Hedgerows also have a place in residential landscaping.
Carefully maintained hedgerows will add diversity to the plant and animal life
in your yard, and give you and your family privacy.
To create a hedgerow, start with a variety of small trees, tall and short
shrubs, and ground covers. Include some fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, with
overlapping fruiting times. You can enhance wildlife value by choosing native
plants with prickles or thorns for added cover. Evergreens will enhance winter
cover. If you have a natural area that needs to be tamed into a hedgerow, get a
copy of Habitat Management Guidelines for the Benefit of Land Birds in Mary-
land, with guidelines on what plants to selectively eliminate and which to
keep, from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Critical Areas
Commission.
Hedgerows require maintenance. You'll need to prune trees and shrubs to
keep them attractive and at a manageable size. Many fruiting varieties also re-
quire pruning for best fruit production. Don't forget to add ground covers
underneath the trees and shrubs. You don't want to be mowing around these
low-growing obstacles.
If your community has natural areas, or you own a large lot and live in
the type of neighborhood that might tolerate a brush pile, consider creating
one with the branches removed from your shrubs and trees. Brush piles shel-
ter wildlife from predators, especially during the winter when trees don't have
leaves. Throw your discarded Christmas tree on the pile, and place it along
your hedgerow, a forest edge, in the corner of the field, or near a stream or
pond. Keep brush piles away from your home, because they may attract crea-
tures you don't want near the house, such as woodchucks, skunks and snakes.
If you have a large piece of property, create several piles —three or four brush
piles per acre, placed 200—300 feet apart.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wild Acres Program has
factsheets on planting shrubs for wildlife and creating brush piles. The Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's BayScapes can
provide general guidelines on shrubs for wildlife. The Pennsylvania Depart-
ment of Environmental Protection has produced a useful document, We All
Live Downstream: A Homeowner's Guide, Improve Your Property—Improve the
Environment, that offers suggestions for Pennsylvania residents interested in at-
tracting wildlife. Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage has much experience with cre-
ating both agricultural and residential hedgerows and can provide guidance.
Although they are outside the Chesapeake Bay region, the Northeastern Illi-
nois Planning Commission created a useful document called Natural Landscap-
ing for Public Officials that provides tips on being a good neighbor when
creating some of these natural landscapes.
Unwanted Visitors
Along with the pleasures of adding wildlife to your yard, there are some haz-
ards. Rabbits, squirrels, snakes and deer may be attracted to your new habitat.
Many people enjoy these additions to their yards, but others may not appreci-
ate bunny dens in the garden, squirrels raiding the bird feeders, or deer con-
suming expensive shrubs.
Tolerance and understanding are one strategy for dealing with this situa-
tion. For instance, snakes can be good additions to your yard. Many eat small
rodents, like moles and voles, whose tunnels can destroy shrubs and flower
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ALTERNATIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL LAWN
beds. Snakes and rodents often consume insects living in your yard. You can
adapt your yard to accommodate some of these unwanted visitors. Plant extra
beans in the garden for the rabbits or place inexpensive shrubs along the edge
for deer to browse.
Some people fear that a more natural landscape will attract rats or allow
mosquitoes to breed. Rats rarely live in natural landscapes; they are usually as-
sociated with human-constructed structures and their trash. So, your more
natural areas will tend to exclude rats. Mosquitoes may breed in your water
garden, if you create one. However, frogs and fish in the pond will probably
eat the larvae before they can mature and fly from the pond. In addition, nat-
ural landscapes tend to absorb more water than a conventional lawn or land-
scaping. This will reduce the amount of standing water, preventing
mosquitoes from breeding in the first place.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wild Acres Program
offers a factsheet on dealing with squirrels. You can accommodate them by
building a squirrel nest box and feeding squirrels far away from bird feeders.
You can exclude them via a number of techniques including spreading blood
meal or dried red peppers in your garden and placing metal collars at the base
of bird feeders. There are some disadvantages to attracting birds to your yard.
Woodpeckers may drum on your house, causing structural damage and mak-
ing an awful lot of noise. Fish-eating birds, like herons and egrets, may raid
your water garden eating the goldfish you carefully placed there. Nesting birds
may choose sites on your home or other buildings, making a mess in the
process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers a brochure describing how
to handle backyard bird problems.
Deer can be a significant problem, especially in residential neighborhoods
surrounded by forests or fields where development is occurring. Maryland's
Department of Natural Resources recommends deer IPM. This involves
population management on the part of wildlife agencies, fencing to exclude
deer, repellents to discourage deer, and vegetation management in your yard.
Landowners should consider plant species not favored by deer. A booklet
called Resistance of Woody Ornamentals to Deer Damage is available from
the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. A webpage created by
Teff Chorba Landscape Design in Pennsylvania provides plant suggestions
and landscaping techniques that will discourage deer from munching on
your yard.
FIGHTING MOSQUITOS
WITH BASIL?!
Companion planting is a method of
using specific plants to attract or repel
certain insects. Problems with aphids?
Plant garlic, an aphid repellent, nearby.
Or plant some Alfalfa to attract lady-
bugs. Aphids are one of their favorite
snacks! While this may take some
experimenting, it's an interesting and
chemical-free way to keep pesky pests
away from your plants. Rodale Press'
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs con-
tains some companion plant charts.
Or check out the Winnipeg Bugline
website for a list of planting tips.
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PROTECTING CRITICAL
Wetlands, Forests, and Streams
HABITATS
^^M^MV ake a look around your property. Does it have special features or
W m unique habitats like streams, wooded areas or wetlands? Habitat
^X loss is the primary cause of plant and animal species extinction, and
areas like these are critical as sources of food, water and cover for wildlife.
Special habitats may provide recreational and aesthetic values—a relaxing
walk through the woods on a summer day or the peaceful quiet of observing
wildlife in your yard. Forested areas, riparian buffers and wetlands provide
valuable ecological services such as filtering runoff, flood buffering and sedi-
ment and erosion control. Enhancing your wetlands or woodlands or stabiliz-
ing your streambanks can help to improve local water quality by limiting the
amount of sediment, nutrients and pollution entering nearby waterways.
Wetlands provide year-round habitat for various wading, marsh and song-
birds. Shellfish and finfish use wetlands as spawning grounds and nurseries.
Wooded areas can support many species. Each layer of a forested ecosystem—
from the grasses, ferns and flowers that make up the ground cover, to the
understory and the leafy canopy—fills different ecological requirements for a
diversity of animals. Forested areas act as greenways or wildlife corridors that
provide living space and protection for animals as they move from one area to
another. As development increases, these corridors are becoming more and
more important in offsetting the impacts of widespread forest fragmentation
on wildlife. Streams and forested riparian zones are critical habitats as well,
supporting many species offish and amphibians, as well as terrestrial wildlife
that relies on the stream environment as a food and water supply.
These important landscapes are disappearing from the Chesapeake Bay
watershed. Watershed wetland losses averaged about 3,000 acres a year
between 1982 and 1989- Despite regulatory protection, wetland losses and
degradation continue. For more details, see the Chesapeake Bay Program
report titled Wetlands: The Vital Link Between the Watershed and the Bay.
Approximately one-third of historical forest coverage has been lost, sometimes
as quickly as 100 acres per day. In the last few decades, many streams have
become degraded, transporting large quantities of sediment and pollution.
Although water quality has improved with help from the National Clean
Water Act, rapid development threatens to overtake these improvements.
GO SEE ...
Before you begin your project, visit a
natural area in a park or refuge near
you. Notice the variety of plant and
animal species and the way plants are
grouped together. Check the Internet,
maps, and your local phone directory
for parks, nature centers, and wildlife
management areas. If you live in or
are visiting D.C., get a copy of DC
Naturally, available from the Rock
Creek Nature Center. This guide
includes an extensive list of parks
and natural areas in the metropolitan
Washington area.
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26
PROTECTING CRITICAL HABITATS
There are a lot of ways you can help protect and restore the Bay's critical
habitats. Enhancing a wetland on your property with native wetland plants
will increase the type and number of wildlife visiting this area. Expanding or
enhancing wooded areas on your property provides habitat for animals and
decreases the amount of nutrients and pollution that may run into nearby
streams. Shrubs or trees along your streambank shade stream waters offering
cool, dark habitat for fish. The leaves that fall from your trees provide a food
for insects and bottom-dwelling creatures that fish like to eat. Runoff is per-
haps one of the most serious problems affecting Chesapeake Bay. So, the steps
you take on your property to enhance habitat and improve water quality will
result in benefits both in your backyard and far downstream.
DON'T BE AN OUTLAW!
Wetlands are regulated under Section
0 of the Clean Water Act. Before
you plan changes to wetlands on your
property, check with appropriate federal
and state regulatory agencies to obtain
any necessary permits. Check the
Resources Section for agency listings,
and call the Chesapeake Bay Program
for a copy of Protecting Wetlands:
Technical and Financial Assistance
Programs for Local Governments in
the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
WETLANDS
Wetland areas are characterized by saturated or flooded soils. There are several
different types of wetlands, grouped by the vegetation found in the area. Emer-
gent wetlands are dominated by herbaceous water-loving plants. Scrub/shrub
and forested wetlands, as their names imply, are dominated by higher layers of
woody vegetation. Tidal wetlands include wetlands where the water level is
influenced by oceanic tides. They may be salt, brackish or freshwater. Water
levels in nontidal wetlands are not influenced by tides, but are driven by wind,
surface water runoff, or groundwater discharge.
Wetlands are protected by federal and state laws because of the values
they provide, not only to local wildlife, but to humans as well. These areas
help protect water quality by filtering pollutants that would otherwise end up
in nearby streams. Wetlands act like natural sponges, protecting adjacent land
from flooding by trapping and storing water. They help to buffer shorelines
from erosion and are extremely important as fish and wildlife habitat. For
more information, call the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Wetlands
Hotline for a copy of America's Wetlands: Our Vital Link Between Land and
Water.
Wetlands provide so many benefits to society that steps are being taken to
restore this important resource throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In
1997, Maryland announced a goal of restoring 60,000 acres of wetlands
throughout the state. For information on what you can do to help Maryland
reach this goal, contact the Maryland Department of the Environment. Penn-
sylvania and Virginia are also working to develop goals for wetlands restora-
tion. For information on Pennsylvania's efforts to help restore wetlands,
contact the Pennsylvania Department of the Environment. In Virginia, con-
tact the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for information on tidal
wetlands and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for efforts
relating to nontidal wetlands. The District of Columbia has developed the
Wetlands Conservation Plan to guide its wetlands protection, enhancement,
and restoration efforts. More information is available through the District of
Columbia Environmental Health Administration. Division of Water Quality.
Before you begin, it is important to identify which kind of wetland exists
on your property so you can plan the most appropriate type of restoration. Is
your wetland salty or freshwater? Does the water level in your wetland fluctu-
ate with the tide? How deep is it? Is the area shaded or in full sun? Answer-
ing these questions will help you to choose plants that are best suited for
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WETLANDS, FORESTS, AND STREAMS
conditions on your property. Ask your local nursery about obtaining native
wetland plants. Avoid plants that are not specifically adapted to moist or wet
soils. They may not survive in a wet area and have far less value to wetland
wildlife. If you are planting to enhance wildlife values, mix native sedges to
provide food and cover, or add shrubs and trees for cover and protection.
Choose flowering plants with different blooming periods to add year-round
color to a wetland meadow. Using wetland plants may also be appropriate for
those wet areas on your property where nothing seems to grow. (See Chapter
Two, "Water, Water, Everywhere!") A useful fact sheet on Gardening in Wet
Places is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3
Office in Philadelphia.
Lists of wetland plants are available from Environmental Concern. Inc.
Environmental Concern also has a nursery where you can buy native Mary-
land wetland plants. If you live in Pennsylvania, check out Aquascapes Un-
limited. Inc.'s nursery for native wetlands plants. Your state's Native Plant
Society or Landscape and Nursery Association may also have information on
nurseries that specialize in wetland plants. You may wish to add nesting boxes
or platforms to supplement the natural areas. Instructions for building for
wildlife are included in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wild Acres information packages, and the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension
Service circular Providing Wetlands for Wildlife while Controlling Stormwater
contains an appendix with plans for building nest boxes and platforms.
FORESTED AREAS
Wooded habitats are an essential part of life for many of the watershed's ani-
mal, bird and plant life. Extensive scientific findings show clearly that acre for
acre, forests are the best land use for protecting water quality. As living filters,
forests capture rainfall, regulate Stormwater and streamflow, filter nutrients,
sediment and other pollutants, and stabilize soils. Maintaining or creating a
naturalized forested area can add value to your property and save a month's
worth of Sundays in mowing. Trees can be planted strategically for privacy
and insulation, providing economic benefits when placed appropriately. For
instance, they can help shade you from the summer sun, increasing air condi-
tioner efficiency as much as 10 percent. Evergreens and deciduous trees can
be planted to shield the house from winter winds to lower heating costs. To
learn more about how to plant trees on your property for energy conserva-
tion, contact the National Arbor Day Foundation for a copy of How Trees
Can Save Energy. Trees will also provide recreational and aesthetic values and
food and cover for wildlife. Choose several native species to plan for blooms
and fruit through the spring, summer and fall. Before planting, consider all
your objectives. Do your goals include habitat enhancement? Water quality
improvement? A source of firewood? Wooded areas can be easily managed
for multiple uses. The Pennsylvania Bay Education Office's We All Live Down-
stream, contains a chapter on "Managing a Wooded Home Site" and includes
tips on how to get started. Information about forest management can be ob-
tained from the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service. Their Forest
Stewardship Series contains guidelines for planning and managing your forest
area, and includes a list of services offered to woodland owners by public and
private organizations in the state. You and Your Land, published by the
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28
PROTECTING CRITICAL HABITATS
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, includes technical
information on planting, pruning, and protecting trees and shrubs.
STREAMS AND RIPARIAN FOREST BUFFERS
There is something soothing about the gurgle of a meandering stream. But
perhaps your stream has lost its gurgle. Perhaps it is instead, a straight-as-an-
arrow stream that rushes through muddy banks without so much as a pause.
What was once valuable habitat for fish, amphibians and beneficial insects
may now be a watery highway for sediment, nutrients and other pollution—
an expressway to local rivers, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. There are
50 major rivers that lead to the Bay and the health of each has an impact on
the health of the Chesapeake.
When many people think about water pollution, they envision smoke-
stacks and factories. This perception of industry as the source of most
water-related pollution is misleading. Runoff from agricultural lands and
communities is the major cause. Homeowners in the U.S. use more than
100 million tons of fertilizer and 80 million pounds of pesticides on their
lawns each year. With every episode of rain or melting snow, excess nutrients
and toxic chemicals are washed into adjacent streams, imperiling the plants
and animals that live there. Sediment that is washed into a stream may clog
the gills offish and limit the light available to underwater plants, making the
aquatic environment inhospitable.
As a property owner, there are two important actions you can take to
enhance local water quality. First and foremost, limit your use of fertilizers
and pesticides! Native plant species require fewer inputs as they are already
well-adapted to local conditions. Selective planting can deter certain insects
and help attract beneficial wildlife, like frogs and toads, that will snack on the
others and reduce the need for pesticides. (For more information on low-im-
pact lawns, see Chapter Two, "Less to Mow".)
The second important action you can take to help restore your stream is
planting riparian forest buffers along stream banks. Riparian forest buffers
are naturalized areas of trees, usually accompanied by shrubs and other vege-
tation, adjacent to a body of water. These areas are increasingly recognized as
an important way to protect stream health. Woody vegetation creates a "root
mat" that holds soils in place and limits erosion. Trees take up nutrients
through their roots, reducing the amount of nutrients entering waterways.
Overhanging streamside vegetation provides important habitat for frogs, toads
and salamanders and helps regulate stream temperature for fish. Visit the
Chesapeake Bay Program's Riparian Forest Buffer website for more information
on the importance of riparian forest buffers.
The Chesapeake Bay Program Partners have agreed to a goal of restoring
2,010 acres of riparian forest buffers by the year 2010. Each jurisdiction has
developed a Riparian Forest Buffer Implementation Plan to help achieve this
goal. For information about the District of Columbia's plan, contact the
District of Columbia Environmental Health Administration. Water Quality
Division. In Virginia, contact the Virginia Department of Forestry. As part of
their plans to reach the riparian forest buffer goal, Maryland and Pennsylvania
have joined up with American Forests' Stream Releaf campaign. Contact the
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service for a copy of
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WETLANDS, FORESTS, AND STREAMS
Maryland Stream Releaf. Copies of Pennsylvania Stream Releafa.K available
from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of
Forestry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program,
a voluntary program that offers incentive payments and cost-share assistance
for conservation practices on agricultural lands, includes an emphasis on ri-
parian forest buffers. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, a nonprofit organ-
ization, is developing a permanent trust fund to provide resources for planting
riparian forests in Pennsylvania. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Penn-
sylvania Streamside Forest Fund, which is still in the formative stages, seeks
private donations to provide small grants for conservation and community
groups to use for restoring forests along streams and rivers. Maryland's
Chesapeake Bay Trust also offers financial assistance for some restoration
projects.
Plants selected for riparian areas should be able to withstand periodic
flooding or inundation. For maximum wildlife value, create or enhance
ecosystem layers. Take a look at Chesapeake Riparian Handbook: A Guide for
Establishing and Maintaining Riparian Forest Buffers and Restoring a Bay Re-
source: Riparian Forest Buffer Demonstration Sites, available from the Chesa-
peake Bay Program. For information about approaches to stream corridor
restoration, you can download a copy of Stream Corridor Restoration, from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture website. Call your local Extension Service or
state Native Plant Society for a list of natives for your area. The Virginia De-
partment of Conservation and Recreation offers a list of native plants specifi-
cally for use in riparian forest buffers in Virginia. (See "Where to Get Help"
at the end of this chapter for additional sources of assistance).
Besides planting riparian forest buffers along your streambank, you may
also want to enhance the in-stream habitat. DO NOT DO THIS ON YOUR
OWN! Careful placement of logs or rocks in the stream bed may slow water
velocity and create riffles that help oxygenate the water. This creates micro-
habitats, providing resting and hiding places for fish and for soon-to-be fish
food. Depending upon the condition of your stream, restoration may be a
technical process requiring consideration of such factors as soil type, bank
slope and flow velocity. Consult your state's Natural Resources Conservation
Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chesapeake Bay Field Office for
additional advice on how to enhance your stream. The Izaak Walton League
Save Our Streams Program offers books and videos on stream ecology and
restoration. Your local chapter of Trout Unlimited is another good place to
check for advice. Landowner's Guide to Managing Streams in the Eastern
United States, publication #420-141, is available from the Virginia Coopera-
tive Extension Service.
FISH PASSAGES: OPENING BARRIERS FOR MIGRATING FISH
Anadromous fish, including several species of shad and herring, must migrate
from saltwater environments to spawn in freshwater tributaries. Many streams
and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are blocked by dams, culverts,
and other structures. More than 2,500 blockages in the watershed keep
anadromous and other migratory fish from reaching historic spawning
grounds. As a result, natural reproduction of American shad, in particular,
remains low.
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PROTECTING CRITICAL HABITATS
Stream blockages, in conjunction with in-stream habitat degradation and
the pressure of over-fishing, have caused a serious decline in anadromous fish
populations. Although stocking programs and fishing regulations are helping
restore migratory fish populations, their numbers will continue to decline un-
less these fish can return to their natural spawning grounds. The Chesapeake
Bay Program is committed to opening blockages in the tributaries so anadro-
mous fish can reach freshwater spawning grounds. Fish passage goals estab-
lished in 1993 direct Bay Program signatories to open 731 stream miles by
1998 and over 1,356 miles by 2003- See the Chesapeake Bay Program annual
reports, Removing Impediments to Migratory Fishes in the Chesapeake Bay Wa-
tershed, for an update on progress. Encourage your local government to sup-
port fish passage restoration efforts and help anadromous fish buck the tide of
population decline! Call the Chesapeake Bay Program for additional infor-
mation, or check out their webpage for lists and maps offish passage projects
and viewing sites. An overview of Fish Restoration and Passage on the Susque-
hanna River is available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pennsylvania Field Office, or the Susque-
hanna River Basin Commission. The Alliance for Chesapeake Bay, the Chesa-
peake Bay Foundation and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Chesapeake
Regional Information Service (CRIS) are other good sources of information.
For general information on sport fisheries restoration, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service offers a brochure called Restoring America's Sport Fisheries: The
Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program. Maps of public access areas to
the Bay are available from the Chesapeake Bay Program.
THE UNDESIRABLES . . .
Enhancing or restoring unique habitats on your property may bring some
guests who are less desirable than others. Snakes, rabbits and other animals
may be attracted to the new habitat you have created. Make an effort to un-
derstand their role and importance in the context of your backyard ecosys-
tem. If you still have trouble tolerating these visitors, consider the resources
and natural control approaches mentioned in Chapter Two, "Less to Mow,"
or use physical barriers, such as fences, to restrict wildlife from certain areas.
CITY LIFE
Many resources and programs available give special consideration to urban
restoration scenarios. The Center for Watershed Protection publishes a bul-
letin that features innovative watershed restoration and protection techniques;
Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection provides guidance on buffer estab-
lishment. The Chesapeake Bay Program offers a factsheet called Urban Ripar-
ian Forest Buffers that outlines the benefits of buffers and what they should
look like.
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WETLANDS, FORESTS, AND STREAMS
BEFORE YOU PLANT!
Be sure to give some thought in advance to the scale of your efforts. Knowing
whether your project will consist of planting a few trees or shrubs or will re-
quire more complex landscaping is necessary to help you to identify the level
of technical knowledge you will need. Restoration training workshops offer
opportunities to learn more about the technical and ecological aspects of your
restoration/enhancement project. You may save yourself valuable time, money
and effort by talking with professionals who know the dos and don'ts of bene-
ficial landscaping. Environmental Concern, Inc. hosts wetlands workshops
that cover such topics as Native Wetland Plants and Backyard Habitat De-
sign. Stream restoration workshops are available through the Izaak Walton
League of America's Save Our Streams Program. The Maryland Cooperative
Extension Service conducted two courses on riparian buffer systems in May
1997 that focused on ecology and structure of riparian forests and how to es-
tablish and maintain forested buffers. Similar courses are planned in Pennsyl-
vania and Virginia. State agencies also offer occasional workshops on stream
and riparian restoration. The Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation offered several such training sessions in 1997. The Alliance for
Chesapeake Bay also offers Riparian Reforestation Field Days to train potential
recipients of grants from their Pennsylvania Streamside Forest Fund on the ba-
sics of riparian forest restoration.
WHERE TO GET HELP?
You may also need to target potential sources of financial assistance. Fortu-
nately, because of the importance of special habitats like wetlands, streams,
riparian zones and wooded areas, federal and state agencies and nonprofit
organizations have made technical and financial assistance available to
landowners interested in making landscape improvements on their property.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service
offers several programs geared toward wetlands protection. The Wetlands Re-
serve Program (WRP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provide
financial incentives to enhance wetlands to qualifying landowners in exchange
for taking certain agricultural lands out of production. The Wildlife Habitat
Incentives Program (WHIP) was designed to provide financial and technical
assistance to landowners wishing to undertake habitat improvements on their
property for upland and wetlands wildlife, endangered species and fisheries.
Programs like these are administered by state agencies within the Bay
watershed. Check with your state Department of Agriculture for more
information.
Programs of the U.S. Forest Service provide technical and financial assis-
tance in return for the protection and management of private forest lands and
associated wetlands. Such programs are administered by state forestry agen-
cies, and include the Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) and the Forestry
Incentives Program (FIP). Cost-shares may be available for enhancement proj-
ects such as riparian forest buffer planting, wetlands protection, and stream-
bank stabilization. Contact the U.S. Forest Service for the details of these
programs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also houses several programs
relevant to wetland, woodland or riparian restoration and enhancement.
Programs include: BayScapes, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Partners in Flight,
The North American Wetland Management Plan (NAWMP) and the North
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PROTECTING CRITICAL HABITATS
American Wetland Conservation Act (NA WCA). The Rivers, Trails, and Conser-
vation Assistance Program of the National Park Service can provide resources
for creating and enhancing rivers, streams, greenways and other natural areas
in your community. Protecting Wetlands II: Financial and Technical Assistance
Programs for Local Governments in the Chesapeake Bay Region, published by the
Chesapeake Bay Program, provides additional information on federal, state
and nonprofit assistance programs for wetlands protection and enhancement.
Many of these programs are relevant to stream, riparian or woodland
enhancement efforts as well.
State programs are also available to help you protect and enhance critical
areas on your property. Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of
Columbia have wetlands programs that provide technical assistance and/or
cost-shares for wetlands management and protection. (Check Resources
and Contacts for agency listings). The Maryland Department of Natural
Resources offers several incentive programs geared toward riparian and wood-
land enhancement, including the Maryland Buffer Incentives Program, Mary-
land Woodland Incentives Program, and Wild Acres. Their Greenways program is
designed to facilitate the creation, maintenance, or enhancement of wildlife
corridors. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Landowner
Stewardship Referral Service was established for individuals interested in
habitat restoration on their land. A Pennsylvania Greenways program is under
development, and will be administered by the Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources. The Pennsylvania Department of Envi-
ronmental Protection Adopt-a-Stream and Stream Fencing programs may be a
source of support for landowners interested in restoring streams on their
property. The Department also maintains a Wetlands Restoration/Creation Site
Registry to link landowners with potential restoration sites on their property
with individuals who are required to undertake restoration efforts as mitiga-
tion for regulated activities. In Virginia, financial assistance may be available
through the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grants Program and the
Virginia Department of Forestry website includes a list of available conserva-
tion incentive programs. Additional information on these and other programs
may be available from your state forestry agency. The University of Maryland
Environmental Finance Center offers a list of available funding mechanisms
for establishing riparian forest buffers.
Publications that list voluntary options for stewardship may also be
available from your state environmental agency. Maryland's Department of
Natural Resources offers the Private Landowner's Assistance Guide: Voluntary
Options for Wetlands Stewardship in Maryland. Wetland and Riparian Steward-
ship in Pennsylvania: A Guide to Voluntary Options for Landowners, Local
Governments and Organizations is available from the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection.
In addition to federal and state programs, nonprofit organizations can be
a valuable source of financial and technical assistance. Ducks Unlimited is an
international nonprofit organization that works to protect, restore and en-
hance wetlands and associated upland areas. Trout Unlimited, The Nature
Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Chesapeake Wildlife
Heritage, are other good sources of information on conservation and
restoration efforts.
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WATERFRONT PROPERTY
Guarding the Edge
A t long last, your dream home. The perfect retreat—the property slopes
^^^§ right down to the Bay and offers you a beautiful waterfront view and a
j * place to dock your boat. As a waterfront property owner, you are the
first line of defense against shoreline erosion and water quality protection.
More than anyone, you should be aware that how you landscape your lawn
and manage your waterfront amenities will have an impact on the Chesa-
peake Bay.
THE CULPRIT: SHORELINE EROSION
Erosion occurs when natural wind, wave and current forces wear away the
land by transporting sediment from one location to another. On high banks,
groundwater seepage may contribute to erosion and cause undercutting and
bank slumping. Although erosion is essentially caused by natural processes,
its rate and severity can be intensified by heavy recreational use and develop-
ment. Docks, jetties and other structures interrupt the natural movement of
water and redirect erosive forces in unexpected and possibly undesirable direc-
tions. Erosion control should begin with protection of the natural shoreline
defenses wherever possible. Beaches or marshes should be preserved as shallow
areas that reduce erosion by limiting wave action and force. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers offers lots of information about shoreline erosion on
their website.
Loss of natural buffers are a huge problem along the edges of Chesa-
peake Bay. In their quest for a view of the water, many property owners
inadvertently destroy the Bay's greatest protector—vegetation. The result is
increased shoreline erosion that can lead to the loss of valuable waterfront
property. Homeowners take note! The roots of trees, shrubs and grasses will
help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. At the same time, they help limit
the amount of fertilizer running off those lawns and provide habitat for local
wildlife. Bulkheads and other hard structures may be costly and unnecessary.
Not only are these structural controls expensive, but they provide little habitat
for wildlife in the critical zone of the water's edge. In some cases, these struc-
tures may actually block wildlife access to the water or cover important habi-
tat areas. For instance, diamondback terrapins following their instincts to nest
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34
WATERFRONT PROPERTY
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Talk to your waterfront neighbors about
shoreline stabilization. The more shore-
line you protect, the safer everyone's
property will be. Community projects
that span several properties are far
more effective than one. Bulkheads may
actually be reflecting wave energy and
increasing erosion of your shoreline!
at the water's edge may lay eggs on the shelf of a bulkhead, only to find the
eggs washed away by the next high tide. Posing yet another threat to local
wildlife, these structures may be treated with preservatives that are toxic to
marine plants and animals. The construction of these structures can also be
harmful to aquatic plants and underwater Bay grasses by clouding the water
with increased sedimentation. Underwater Bay grasses, or submerged aquatic
vegetation (SAV), provide important habitat for many species, including the
crabs that have helped make Chesapeake Bay famous around the world. Un-
derwater Bay grasses help enhance water quality by capturing sediments and
reducing wave action. (See more on underwater Bay grasses below).
You can help protect your property from erosion and maintain a water-
front view at the same time. In low energy areas with limited wave and wind
action, nonstructural methods of erosion controls may be sufficient. Carefully
placed natural areas can provide privacy, cooling and insulation, and attract
wildlife to your waterfront retreat without blocking your access to the Bay.
There are a range of options you can choose from, depending upon the spe-
cific characteristics of your property and your waterfront needs. Planting
marsh grasses may provide a low-cost solution to shoreline erosion, while
adding interest and beauty to your landscape. Even better, most planting
projects will not require a permit or the services of a engineer with a high
hourly rate! They provide important fish spawning and waterfowl habitat,
and can actually help reverse the erosion process by trapping sediment. Con-
sulting with local experts, like U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representatives,
will help you choose the best areas and proper plants for "marsh restoration."
Before You Bulk Up ...
Always check with the appropriate federal and state authorities (see Resources
and Contacts) and consult a professional before beginning any shoreline sta-
bilization or construction project. Permits are required prior to the construc-
tion of any work in, under, across or on the banks of navigable waters of the
United States. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for details on
permit requirements. Your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural
Resources Conservation Service office can provide valuable information on
sources of technical and financial assistance. Many factors must be considered
in evaluating an approach to erosion control. Prevailing winds, currents, tidal
ranges and boat traffic should be professionally assessed before you start to
move any soil. The Shore Erosion Program in the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources Forest Service offers a useful publication titled Shoreline
Erosion Control Guidelines for Waterfront Property Owners. This detailed book
will help you determine what type of erosion control will work best for your
property, the environment and your wallet! A similar brochure is available
from the Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service at the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation. Another good source of information is Local
Ordinances: A User's Guide. Available from the Terrene Institute, it includes
comprehensive chapters on "Stabilizing Shoreline Protection" and "Planning
Docks and Other Water Dependent Structures." The Maryland Cooperative
Extension Service offers a brochure on Plants for Maryland Shore Landscapes.
Plants on this list are uniquely adapted to growing conditions at the shore, in-
cluding high winds, blowing sand, and tide fluctuation. Contact the Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay to inquire about salt marsh restoration workshops.
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GUARDING THE EDGE
PARKING THE YACHT: DOCKS, PIERS
AND OTHER STRUCTURES
So what good is a house on the water without a place to dock your boat?
Think you need a dock or pier? Build with care. These structures, like bulk-
heads, impact shallow water areas adjacent to your property. Because light can
penetrate to the bottom of shallow water, these areas are highly productive,
and provide essential habitat for many aquatic plants and animals. The shade
of a dock or other structure can inhibit the growth of beneficial underwater
Bay grasses and shoreline vegetation.
If possible, build your dock in an area that is already shaded, or try to
elevate it enough so sunlight can shine underneath (usually about five feet
above mean high water). Chemicals used to treat wood and other materials
may affect water quality in the nearshore area. Use caution when designing
and selecting materials for your dock, pier, or boardwalk—especially those
that will have direct and long-term contact with the water. Make sure your
contractor presents all your options. In areas with fluctuating water levels or
strong currents, a floating dock may be more practical. Again, however, check
the materials. Styrofoam, once used widely to provide buoyancy for floating
docks, is now discouraged. Not only does it tend to break up and disperse
easily in water, but visiting birds and other wildlife may mistake the pieces
for food!
Consider the long-term impacts of your project before construction
begins. Increased boat traffic, leaking oils or fuels, marine paints and anti-
fouling treatments, and prop scour can decimate underwater grass beds and
harm local wildlife. A single spill may not seem like much, but imagine a
little drip or leak at every dock or pier in the Bay watershed! Like a snow-
flake that becomes part of an avalanche, the cumulative effect of thousands
of small-scale environmental "uh-ohs" can be disastrous. Be careful to tread
lightly on the Bay and its rivers, and you will be rewarded by the beautiful
sights, sounds and smells of life near the water.
UNDERWATER BAY GRASS IN YOUR PROPELLER? GREAT!
Underwater Bay grasses, or SAV, grow in shallow water and are critical to the
Bay's living resources. In addition to improving water quality, they provide
food for waterfowl and homes for fish, crabs and invertebrates. Growth is de-
pendent on sufficient levels of light reaching the underwater leaves. Sediment
and algae can cloud the water, making it more difficult for light to penetrate
the water and reach underwater plants. Over-fertilizing your lawn can force
excess nutrients into local waterways, contributing to SAV decline. Changing
the vegetation or structures along your shoreline may also affect underwater
Bay grasses. The Chesapeake Bay Program's Guidance for Protecting SAV in
Chesapeake Bay from Physical Disruption offers recommendations worth fol-
lowing if you are considering construction on the edge.
Chesapeake Bay Program Partners are working to restore underwater Bay
grasses to historical levels of acreage and we need your help. You can help by
avoiding beds when boating or when planning dredging or pier construction.
Environmentally friendly landscaping techniques that use less fertilizer, pre-
vent erosion, and utilize native plants can help prevent sediments and nutri-
ents from reaching Bay waters. Call for a copy of Underwater Bay Grasses are
A NOTE ON RESPONSIBLE BOATING
As a boat owner or passenger, you
know the importance of a healthy Bay.
You should also know the importance of
boating responsibly in order to keep it
that way!
Make sure to:
1. Keep Sewage on Board—use marina
pump out facilities!
2. Stash the Trash— and dispose of it
properly on shore!
3. Fish Responsibly—don't take more
than the limit, or more than you
need!
. Maintain your engine and prevent
fuel spills!
5. Obey posted speed limits and watch
your wake! Speeding boats and per-
sonal watercraft can cause sedimen-
tation that clouds shallow waters
and harms aquatic animals and
plants.
6. Tell your friends! No one wants to
see a polluted bay. Tell other boaters
what they can do to help keep the
Bay clean and enjoyable.
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36
WATERFRONT PROPERTY
FIELD TRIP!
Have some free time? Visit the
National Aquarium in Baltimore to
see some Chesapeake Bay habitats
in action!
Good for Wildlife and People, available from the Chesapeake Bay Program. The
Virginia Institute of Marine Science has tons of information on underwater
Bay grasses. Check out their web page for special reports, information on un-
derwater Bay grass distribution, and links to other sites that relate to under-
water grasses in Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Department of Natural Resources
also has a Bay Grasses web page that's loaded with information. Volunteers are
always needed to verify Bay grass coverage and species, monitor water quality
near grass beds, and help plant underwater Bay grasses. NEVER PLANT
THEM ON YOUR OWN! For tips on what homeowners can do to help
underwater Bay grasses, or if you're interested in volunteering to monitor or
plant grasses, contact the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and Chesapeake Bay Foundation co-sponsor an annual SAV
Hunt, an opportunity for citizens to help collect information about underwa-
ter grass beds around the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has a Bay
Grasses in Classes program as part of their Chesapeake Bay curriculum pack-
age.
AQUATIC REEFS AND OYSTERS: NATURE'S WATER FILTERS
Aquatic reefs have an important ecological role in Chesapeake Bay. They
provide essential habitat for the Bay's oysters, as well as fmfish and crabs. His-
torically, reefs of densely packed individual oysters grew upward and outward,
creating hard surfaces over many acres of Bay bottom and three-dimensional
habitat for Bay creatures. Millions of oysters once filtered plankton from Bay
waters. Eastern oysters can attach to many hard surfaces, but grow best when
they live on oyster shell reefs. These reefs provide hard structure where barna-
cles, clams and other filter feeders also attach. Crabs and fmfish take advan-
tage of the three-dimensional oyster reefs, hiding among the shells and dining
on each other.
Today, the Bay's oyster population has been reduced to a small percent-
age of historic levels. Disease is by far the greatest natural threat to oysters.
Two diseases introduced to Chesapeake Bay over 40 years ago, MSX and
Dermo, kill many adult oysters before they are big enough to reproduce or
harvest. Destruction of aquatic reefs from centuries of dredging and tonging
has greatly reduced suitable habitat for oysters and the other creatures that
live on and around their reefs. In addition to harvest pressure and disease,
reef acreage has been lost to silting and pollution. Scientists have begun re-
constructing oyster reefs by placing oyster shell on the hard bottom where
oyster reefs used to exist. Constructed reefs get oysters off the bottom, where
they could be smothered by sediments. More than a dozen reefs have been
created in tidal Chesapeake Bay.
Despite their tolerance to changes in salinity, without enough salt in
the water oysters may stop feeding, growing and reproducing. Freshwater
flooding that occurs over a few of weeks is particularly threatening to oysters.
It lowers water salinity and carries heavy loads of sediments, so restore and
maintain those riparian forest buffers and wetlands to help minimize flooding
and flows to the Bay! (See Chapter Three, "Protecting Critical Habitats," for
more information on wetlands and buffers).
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GUARDING THE EDGE
You can help grow oysters for these reefs by participating in the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Oyster Gardening program. Oyster gardeners
build a float and receive "seed oysters" to grow until they are about two
inches in length. Then the oysters are off to a new home on a reef where
they can get to the job of filtering the Bay and providing habitat for other
plants and animals! Call the Foundation for additional information. Projects
are also sponsored by the Maryland Oyster Recovery Partnership, a coopera-
tive venture among watermen, environmentalists, the University of Maryland
Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, and the Maryland Depart-
ment of Natural Resources, created to help recover Maryland's oyster pop-
ulation. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission is actively working to
restore oyster populations in Virginia. Additional information on these efforts
can be obtained from the Commission's Conservation Replenishment Divi-
sion, or from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Virginia's Tidewater
Oyster Gardening Association sponsors gardening workshops and a master
oyster gardening class, and information on oyster gardening is included in the
Elizabeth River Project Habitat Enhancement Packet.
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-------
BEYOND THE DRIVEWAY
Getting Involved in Community Efforts
I A lather y°u have acres of lawn or you live in an apartment or condo-
11\ ^niniu111 with minimal green space, there's still plenty that you can
V V do! Once you've conquered the concepts to a Better Backyard, take
them beyond your driveway into the local community.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS
If you live in a development, there are probably opportunities everywhere.
Many developments have common areas of grass. These areas may be main-
tained by fertilizers and pesticides. Those little flags that say "Pesticides: Keep
Off" mark danger zones for children and pets. Find out what management's
policy is on maintaining these common areas by attending a tenant associa-
tion or homeowner's meeting. Have they considered using integrated pest
management (IPM) or adopting a more natural approach to landscaping?
(See Before You Begin: Important Concepts for a description of IPM). Beneficial
alternatives to traditional lawn care may be a good way to reduce those main-
tenance fees!
Of course, all common areas may not be appropriate for naturalization.
Kids need large grassy areas to play. Work with the management and/or other
residents to choose a good location for natural areas or restoration activities.
Creating a butterfly garden around a gazebo, or a wildflower meadow or
wetland near a retention pond, are just two of many options. (See Chapter
Two, "Less to Mow" for additional information on creating these types of
landscapes). Enhancements like these will increase the aesthetic benefits for
residents and can provide educational and recreational opportunities for
neighborhood children. Common vegetable gardens that are subdivided into
plots for participating residents are another option. By creating a place where
neighbors work together, they can bring a stronger sense of community into
the area.
If your development or community includes a golf course, the pos-
sibilities are almost endless! Despite their reputation as environmentally
disastrous, golf courses offer lots of open space to create new landscapes
and habitats. Golf & the Environment: Environmental Principles for Golf
Courses in the United States is a handbook offered by the Center for Resource
CAUTION!
Besides pesticides, be aware of other
harmful or toxic materials often
used for maintenance purposes in
community complexes:
• Chemical de-icers
• Cleaning solutions
• Paints and solvents
The Bay Book, available from the
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and
Home *A *Syst, developed by
Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst, are good
sources of information on managing
these types of hazardous products.
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40
BEYOND THE DRIVEWAY
NEED INSPIRATION?
Take a look at Logan Circle Urban
Meadow—a native wildflower and
butterfly sanctuary in Washington, D.C.,
or take a peek through the Garden
Cam at Clinton Community Garden.
You'll never believe it's located in
Hell's Kitchen, NYC!
Management with tips on designing environmentally friendly golf courses.
Golf and the Environment: What Partners!'is a companion poster published by
the Terrene Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region
5 Office, that illustrates these concepts.
SCHOOL GARDENS
Local schools are wonderful places to experiment with beneficial landscaping.
Many schools have lots of open space—a blank canvas ready for creative land-
scape development! Children will enjoy the sight of butterfly and wildflower
gardens, and can learn from the visitors these gardens will bring to their
school. Lessons can be structured around the maintenance of these areas—
math lessons on measuring plant growth and science lessons on water quality.
Outdoor learning can be a welcome change from long days in the classroom
and kids make perfect volunteers.
There are numerous resources available for teachers or groups interested
in creating a schoolyard habitat. The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers
a helpful brochure that lists Resources on Creating Backyard & Schoolyard
Habitat in Pennsylvania. Project WILD is a national program, with coordina-
tors in every state, designed to emphasize wildlife education. Contact your
state Project Wild office for a copy of Wild School Sites: A Guide to Preparing
for Habitat Improvement Projects on School Grounds. The Pennsylvania WILD
Habitats program, established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, sup-
ports and encourages habitat improvement projects for wildlife on school and
community grounds. APATH (Audubon Protecting Animals Through Habitat,
sponsored by the Audubon Council of Pennsylvania, offers Native Plants in
the Creation of Backyard, Schoolyard and Park Habitat Areas. The National
Wildlife Federation's Schoolyard Habitats Program complements its Backyard
Wildlife Program. Schoolyard Habitats, the Federation's schoolyard planning
guide, offers tips on setting goals, involving the community and incorporat-
ing the habitat into cross-curriculum learning. The Evergreen Foundation,
dedicated to the enhancement of natural areas on school grounds and in com-
munities in Canada, has a useful website with essential resources for commu-
nity and school naturalization and environmental education projects. The site
also has a link to School Yard Environmental Projects: A Planning Primer. Pre-
pared by North Carolina State University Forestry Extension, it contains lists
of resources and funding sources in the U.S. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, offers a schoolyard habitat guide to
help teachers and students create wildlife habitats on school grounds.
COMMUNITY PARKS AND GARDENS
Is there a vacant lot in your community that's in need of rejuvenation? Get
together with some friends and neighbors and spruce it up! Small pockets of
green can do wonders for community morale! Whether you live in a subur-
ban area that needs a "community gathering place," or in a city that needs a
little green in the streetscape, there are resources available to help you get
your community garden started. The American Community Gardening
Association provides information on everything from choosing a site to set-
ting up bylaws for a gardening association. The Association's From the Roots
-------
GETTING INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY EFFORTS
Up Program offers technical assistance and training to organizations interested
in helping neighborhood groups establish community and school gardens.
The National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program
provides assistance to communities for revitalizing natural areas. The Pennsyl-
vania Cooperative Extension Service has an urban gardening program that
provides advice on organizing and starting a garden. Call their Vegetable and
Fruit Garden Hotline with questions. Their website includes a list of demon-
stration gardens where you can see examples of community work in action.
Although the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension program is geared toward
Philadelphians, their resources will be useful for anyone interested in setting
up a community garden or park. Philadelphia Green is part of the Pennsylva-
nia Horticultural Society that works with neighborhood groups, corporations
and government organizations in the Philadelphia area. The Neighborhood
Gardens Association/A Philadelphia Land Trust, works with community gar-
deners to acquire garden land and prevent it from being developed for other
uses. Garden Resources of Washington (GROW) provides technical assistance
and advice to groups considering community gardening projects, and has lists
of great gardens to see in Washington, D.C.
Other good resources to check include Urban Agriculture Notes, pub-
lished by City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture, and Aggie
Horticulture, the Texas A&M University Horticulture Program website,
which even includes a section on KinderGardens! Urban Harvest, a Texas
community gardening association, offers publications and brochures on
various topics such as funding opportunities for community gardens, and
how to increase community participation.
VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER!
Citizen Monitoring Programs...
Be a scientist for a day ... or more! Many programs in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed need your help with monitoring natural resources. Depending
upon your preference, you could get involved with water quality, underwater
Bay grasses, and living resources monitoring efforts! Check with the Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay to find out what volunteer monitoring programs are
currently underway in the Bay watershed. The Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection offers a Statewide Directory of Citizens' Volunteer
Monitoring Programs, an overview of programs throughout Pennsylvania, as
well as Water Quality Monitoring of Pennsylvania Streams by Citizen's Groups:
A Primer in Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
... And Everything Else!
There are never too many volunteers for the Chesapeake Bay! Almost every
environmental organization needs volunteers or can direct you to an organiza-
tion that does. You can help plant trees, pick up litter, pass out literature at
conferences or workshops, write articles for organization newsletters, talk to
school groups and lead tours. If you have the enthusiasm to lead an effort in
your community, get a copy of the Chesapeake Bay Community Action Guide
published by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. It's a
step-by-step guide to improving the environment in your neighborhood! The
Global Action Plan for the Earth offers an EcoTeam Workbook to help you get
your community on the road to sustainability. The bottom line is that "where
there's a will, there's a way," so get busy for the Bay!
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If you're the type that loves to learn,
check out nearby nature centers,
arboretums and botanical gardens.
They frequently sponsor educational
workshops, lectures, seminars and
other programs on a variety of topics.
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GLOSSARY
Bioretention Areas
Cover Crops
Erosion
Hedgerows
Impervious Surface
Land Use Planning
Native Plants*
Nutrients
Rain Gardens
Riparian Forest
Buffers*
Soil pH
Larger, often community-owned areas, created and planted to provide stormwater runoff con-
trol and retention of excess water during storm events.
A legume or nonlegume plant that is seeded in fall and grows during fall and winter to protect
soils and provide nutrients. Cover crops are plowed under or killed in spring before garden
planting.
The disruption and movement of soil particles by wind, water, or ice.
"Living fences" comprised of small trees, shrubs, and ground covers.
Surfaces, such as pavement and buildings, that do not allow water to penetrate into the ground.
Local zoning for particular land uses, such as wastewater treatment, transportation, open space,
and sensitive areas like wetlands and forest.
Plants that originally grew in a region before humans began introducing species for agriculture
and ornamental purposes.
Nitrogen and phosphorous are the major nutrients causing problems in the Bay and rivers.
While nutrients are essential to all plant life, nutrient overload, caused by things like excess use
of fertilizer, sewage disposal, and driving, is harmful.
Low-lying areas, away from houses, created and planted with vegetation to retain water during
storm events.
Natural forested areas along waterbodies and wetlands.
The acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
Stormwater Runoff Water that rushes off the land and other surfaces during rain events. Stormwater runoff often
carries sediments and pollutants with it.
*More information about these terms is included in the Introduction section, Before You Begin: Important Concepts.
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RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
KEY: T=Technical
I = Informational
$ = Funding
NOTE: Programs and documents are listed after contact.
FEDERAL AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS
^ National Park Service
www.ncre.nps.gov/rtca
Philadelphia Office
200 Chestnut Street, Third Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 597-7995
www. nps.gov/chal/rtca
Chesapeake Bay Office
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 267-5787
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (T)
^ Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, DC 20013
(202) 720-3210
www.nrcs.usda.gov/
Maryland State Office
John Hanson Business Center, Suite 301
339 Busch's Frontage Road
Annapolis, MD 21401-5534
(410) 757-0861
Pennsylvania State Office
One Credit Union Place, Suite 340
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993
(717) 237-2202
Virginia State Office
1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 209
Richmond, VA 23229-5014
(804) 287-1691
Backyard Conservation (Call 1-888-LANDCARE ) (I)
Conservation Reserve Program /T, $)
Wetlands Reserve Program (T, $)
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (T, $)
NRCS Earth Team Volunteer Opportunities Website (I)
www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/aboutEG.html
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44
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
>~ Project Wild
5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 230
Bethesda, MD 20814-2142
(301) 493-5447
eelink. umich. edu/wild/
District of Columbia Coordinator
Environmental Regulation Administration
Fisheries Management Branch
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Maryland Coordinator
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife & Heritage Division
Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(301) 478-2146
Pennsylvania Coordinator
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Division of Information & Education
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
(717) 783-4872
Virginia Coordinator
Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
4010 West Broad
P.O. Box 11104
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 367-0188
Wild School Sites: A Guide to Preparing for Habitat
Improvement Projects on School Grounds (I, T, $)
^ Smithsonian Institution
web3.si.edu/resource/tours/gardens/butterfly/
Butterfly Habitat Garden Website
^ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
www. usace .army, mil/
Baltimore District
P.O. Box 1715
Baltimore, MD 21203
Shoreline Protection Information
(410) 962-4713
www. nab.usace.army.mil/
Wetland Regulations
(410) 962-3670
Norfolk District
803 Front Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
Shoreline Protection Information
(757) 441-77655
Wetland Regulations
(757) 441-7068
Philadelphia District
100 Penn Square East
2nd and Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3396
Wetland Regulations
(215) 656-6725
^ U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th & Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250
(202) 720-2791
www.usda.gov/
(See State Listings for Cooperative Extension Service Contacts)
Or find your local Cooperative Extension Service Office here:
Cooperative State Research Education and
Extension Service Website
www.reeusda.gov/
Stream Corridor Restoration (T)
(available online at www.usda.gov/stream_restoration/)
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^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
www.epa.gov/
(800) 832-7828
America's Wetlands: Our Vital Link Between
Land & Water (I)
Wetlands Information Hotline (i)
Chesapeake Bay Program Office
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109
Annapolis, MD 21403
(800) YOUR BAY
www. chesapeakebay. net/
Beyond Sprawl: Land Management Techniques to
Protect the Chesapeake Bay (T)
Boating Responsibly on the Bay and its Rivers (I)
Chesapeake Bay Map of Public Access Sites (I)
Chesapeake Bay Region Nutrient Management
Training Manual (T)
Chesapeake Riparian Handbook: A Guide for Establishing
and Maintaining Riparian Forest Buffers /T)
Guidance for Protecting Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in
Chesapeake Bay from Physical Disruption (I)
Local Government Pollution Prevention Toolkit (i, T)
Protecting Wetlands I: Tools for Local Governments in the
Chesapeake Bay Region (T)
Protecting Wetlands II: Technical and Financial Assistance
Programs for Local Governments in the Chesapeake Bay
Region (T, $)
Removing Impediments to Migratory Fishes in the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed (I)
Restoring a Bay Resource: Riparian Forest Buffer
Demonstration Sites (I)
Riparian Forest Buffer Website
(www. chesapeakebay. net/bayprogram/facts/forests/
intro.htm) (I)
Underwater Bay Grasses are Good for Wildlife and People
(brochure) (I)
Urban Riparian Forest Buffers Fact Sheet (I)
Wetlands: The Vital Link Between the Watershed and the
Bay®
Local Government Advisory Committee
777 N.Capitol St., N.E.
Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20002-4201
(202) 962-3589
www.icma.org
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
Region 3 Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Public Environmental Education Center
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 814-5663
www. epa.gov/region3/
Gardener's Guide to a Healthy Environment (T)
Gardening in Wet Places (T)
Plants for Wildlife: Native Trees & Shrubs of the Delaware
Valley with High Wildlife Value (T)
Some Garden Resources for the Middle Atlantic States (T)
Region 5/Office/Air and Radiation Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
77 W Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 886-7901
www. epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/
Wild Ones Handbook (T)
Green Landscaping with Native Plants (T)
>~ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW, Room 3012
Washington, D.C. 20240
(202) 208-4131
Publications: (304) 876-7203
www.fws.gov/
Bats of the Eastern United States (I)
North American Wetland Conservation Act
North American Wetland Management Plan
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Partners in Flight Program
Restoring America's Sport Fisheries:
The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program ft)
Wetland Restoration Fact Sheet (I)
-------
46
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (continued)
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
177 Admiral Cochrane Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-4500
www.fws.gov/r5cbfo/
BayScapes Factsheets (I)
Field Guide to the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation of the
Chesapeake Bay (I)
A Guide to Conservation Landscaping for
Federal Facilities (T)
Native Plant Guides (I)
Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat (V)
Nursery Lists (I)
Schoolyard Habitat Guide (IT)
BayScapes Program (T)
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (T)
Schoolyard Habitat Program (T)
SAVHuntQ)
Pennsylvania Field Office
315 South Allen Street, Suite 322
State College, PA 16801
(814) 234-4090
Virginia Field Office
P.O. Box 99
6669 Short Lane
Gloucester, VA 23061
(804) 693-6694
Office of Migratory Bird Management
Room 634 Arlington Square
4401 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
www.fws.gov/r9mbmo/homepg.html
Backyard Birding Pamphlets (I)
For the Birds (T)
^ U.S. Forest Service
201 14th Street, SW
P.O. Box 96090
Washington, DC 20090-6090
(202) 205-1760
www.fs.fed.us/
Stewardship Incentive Program (T, $)
Forestry Incentive Program (T, $)
Northeast Area State and Private Forestry
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 557-4111
-------
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
LOCAL AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS WITHIN THE WATERSHED
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
^ District of Columbia Environmental
Health Administration
51 N Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 535-2500
www.environ.state.dc.us
Soil Quality Division
Stormwater Management Branch
(202) 535-1600
Stormwater Management Information (T, I)
Water Quality Division
(202) 535-2190
Riparian Forest Buffer Information
Wetlands Information
^ Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002-4226
(202) 962-3200
www. mwcog. org/
Clearing and Grading Strategies for Urban Watersheds (T)
Chesapeake Bay Community Action Guide (I, T)
MARYLAND
^ Maryland Cooperative Extension Service
Publications Office
0109 Symons Hall
College park, MD 20742
(301) 405-4579
www.agnr.umd.edu/CES/
Broadleaf Weed Control in Established Lawns /T)
Herbicides for Crabgrass and Goosegrass Control in Turf (T)
Plants for Maryland Shore Landscapes, Fact Sheet #586 (T)
Take it From Maryland Farmers. . . Use Fertilizer Wisely:
Protect Chesapeake Bay (I)
Turfgrass Cultivar Recommendations for Certified Sod and
Professional Seed Mixtures in Maryland (T)
Home and Garden Information Center
12005 Homewood Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(800) 342-2507 (Maryland only)
www. agnr. umd.edu/users/hgic/
Aquatic Gardening: Construction and Maintenance (T)
Basics of Planting Aquatic Plants (T)
Conservation on Home Lawns /T)
Irrigation and Water (T)
Help the Chesapeake Bay! (i)
Landscapes that Help Chesapeake Bay (T)
Lawns and the Chesapeake Bay (T)
Water Tips for Drought Conditions (T)
Howard County Master Gardener Program Office
3525-L Ellicot Mills Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2707
Bay- Wise Landscape Management
Demonstration Site Program
^ Maryland Department of Agriculture
Office of Resource Conservation
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-5864
^ Maryland Department of the Environment
Water Management Administration
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 631-3000 or (800) 633-6101
www. mde.state.md.us/
Wetland Regulations
Stormwater Management Information
-------
48
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
^ Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-8367
www. dnr. state, md .us/
Resistance of Woody Ornamentals to Deer Damage (T)
Watershed Restoration Division
(800) 989-8852
Private Landowner's Wetlands Assistance Guide:
Voluntary Options for Wetlands Stewardship
in Maryland (I, T, $)
Landowner Stewardship Referral Service (I, T, $)
Wildlife and Heritage Service
(410) 260-8555
Wild Acres Program (T, I)
Forest Service
(410) 260-8531
Green ways Program (I, T)
Maryland Buffer Incentives Program (I, T)
Maryland Stream ReLeaf {[, T, $)
Maryland Woodland Incentives Program (T, $)
Shore Erosion Control Guidelines for
Waterfront Property Owners (I, T)
Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Commission
45 Calvert Street, 2nd floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-7516
Habitat Management Guidelines for the Benefit
of Land Birds in Maryland (T)
Maryland Partners in Flight (I)
^ Maryland Office of Planning
301 West Preston Street, Room 1101
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 225-4500
www.wp.state.md.us/
Managing Maryland's Growth: Smart Growth Options for
Maryland's Tributary Strategies (I)
^ University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center
0112 Skinner Hall
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-6383
www.mdsg.umd.edu/MDSG/EFC/index.html
Riparian Forest Buffer Funding Matrices ($)
PENNSYLVANIA
^ Pennsylvania Bay Education Office
225 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-1006
We All Live Downstream: A Homeowner's Guide, Improve
Your Property— Improve the Environment (I,T)
(Online at www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/
enved/Can_Do/cover.htiTij
^ Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service
Publications Distribution Center
112 Agricultural Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-6713
www.cas.psu.edu/docs/COEXT/COOPEXT.HTML
Providing Wetlands for Wildlife While Controlling
Stormwater, Circular #384' (T, I)
Publications Slide/Tape and Video Programs Catalog
(Lots of good publications on Wildlife!) (I)
Soil Management in Home Gardens and Landscapes (T)
Forest Stewardship Series (T)
Urban Gardening Program I, T
4601 Market Street, 3rd floor
Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 471-2224
Vegetable and Fruit Garden Hotline (I, T)
(215) 471-2224
^ Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
(717) 787-4737
www.pda.state.pa.us
^ Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Watershed Management
P.O. Box 8555
Rachel Carson State Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 787-5267
www.dep.state.pa.us/
Adopt-A-Stream Program (I)
Green ways Program (I)
Local Solutions to Pennsylvania's Pollution: Pennsylvania's
Nonpoint Source Management Program (I)
Pennsylvania Stream ReLeaf ([, T)
-------
Statewide Directory of Citizen's Volunteer Monitoring
Programs (I)
Stormwater Management Guidelines and
Model Ordinances (I, T)
Streambank Fencing Program (I, T)
Streambank Stabilization Information (T)
We All Live Downstream: A Homeowner's Guide, Improve
Your Property— Improve the Environment (T)
(Online at www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/
enved/Can_Do/cover.htiTij
Wetland and Riparian Stewardship in Pennsylvania:
A Guide to Voluntary Options for Landowners,
Local Governments and Organizations (I, T)
Water Quality Monitoring of Pennsylvania Streams by
Citizen's Groups: A Primer in Quality Assurance
and Quality Control (T)
Wetlands Program
^ Pennsylvania Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry
P.O. Box 8552
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552
(717) 787-2106
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/index.htm
Forest Stewardship Series (I, $)
Pennsylvania Stream ReLeaf (I, T)
^- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Habitat Management Section
450 Robinson Lane
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 359-5185
www.fish.state.pa.us
Adopt-A-Stream Program (I, T, $)
Fish Restoration and Passage on the Susquehanna River (I)
^- Pennsylvania Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 787-4250
www.pgc.state.pa.us/
Resources on Creating Backyard & Schoolyard
Habitat in Pennsylvania (T, I, $)
Wild Habitats Program (T, $)
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
VIRGINIA
^- Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation
District
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905
Fairfax, VA 22035-5512
(703) 324-1460
Developing Successful Runoff Control Programs
for Urbanized Areas (T)
Citizens Water Quality Handbook (I)
You and Your Land: A Homeowner's Guide
for the Potomac River Watershed £T)
^- Virginia Cooperative Extension Service
Virginia State University
P.O. Box 9081
Petersburg, VA 23806
(804) 524-5848
www.ext.vt.edu
Lawn and Garden Fertilizers (T)
Landowner's Guide to Managing Streams
in the Eastern United States (T)
Virginia Gardener's Guide to Water- Wise Landscaping (T)
Water Gardening Fact Sheets (T)
^- Virginia Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23209
(804) 786-3501
^- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
203 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-1712
www.state.va.us/~dcr/
Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and
Landscaping: Riparian Forest Buffers (T)
The Virginia Gardener Year Round Guide to Nutrient
Management (T)
Tips on Keeping Your Lawn Green and the
Chesapeake Bay Clean (T)
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50
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
Virginia Department of Conservation
and Recreation (continued)
Division of Soil and Water Conservation
(804) 786-2064
The Best Urban BMP is Planning (I)
Stormwater Management Regulations, Virginia Erosion
and Sediment control Law, Regulations, and
Certification Regulations (I, T)
Clean Water...A Community Commitment to Protecting
Virginia's Watersheds (I)
Division of Natural Heritage
217 Governor Street, Third Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-7951
www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/index. html
Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration,
and Landscaping (T)
Natural Resources Fact Sheets (I)
Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service (SEAS)
York Watershed Office
P.O. Box 1425
Tappahanock, VA 22560
(804) 443-6752
Albemarle, Chowan and Coastal Watersheds
1548-A Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-2468
^ Virginia Department of Forestry
P.O. Box 3758
900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(804) 977-6555
www.dof.state.va.us
Riparian Buffer Implementation Plan
Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grants
^ Virginia Institute of Marine Science
P.O. Box 1346
Gloucester Point, VA 23062
(804) 684-7000
www. vims. e du/
^ Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Habitat Management Division
2600 Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 756
Newport News, VA 23607-0756
(757) 247-2200
www.state.va.us/mrc/homepage.htm
Wetlands Guidelines (T, I)
Tidal Wetlands Program
Conservation Replenishment Division
(757) 247-2121
Aquatic Reefs and Oyster Gardening Information
-------
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE WATERSHED
^ Canada Office of Urban Agriculture
801-318 Homer Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2V3
(604) 685-5832
www. cityfarmer. org/urbagnotes 1. html#notes
Urban Agriculture Notes (I)
City Farmer
^ Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission
P.O. Box 8024
Athens, GA 30603
(706) 542-3065
www.gaswcc. org
Guidelines for Streambank Restoration (T)
(Be sure to use native plants from your area!)
^ North Carolina State University Forestry Extension
P.O. Box 8003
Raleigh, NC 27695-8003
(919) 515-5636
School Yard Environmental Projects:
A Planning Primer (T, I)
>• Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst
B142 Steenbock Library
550 Babcock Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1293
(608) 262-0024
(farm) www.uwex.edu/farmasyst/
(home) www.uwex.edu/homeasyst/
Home*A*Syst
^ Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission
222 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 454-0400
www.nipc.cog.il.us/
Natural Landscaping for Public Officials (T)
>• Texas A&M Horticulture Program (I, T)
Horticulture/Forest Science Building
College Station, TX 77843-2133
(979) 845-5341
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/
Aggie Horticulture Website
^ Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service
Cooperative Extension
152 Riley-Robb Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-5701
(607) 255-7654
Enhancing Wildlife Habitats:
A Practical Guide for Forest Landowners (I)
^ Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service
Cooperative Extension Publications
Room 170, 630 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 262-3346
www.uwex.edu/ces/
Cleaning up Stormwater Runoff (I)
Lawn and Garden Fertilizers (T)
Lawn Watering (T)
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52
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
NONPROFIT AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
^ Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
www.acb-online.org/
6600 York Road, Suite 100
Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 377-6270
P.O. Box 1981
Richmond, VA 23218
(804) 775-0951
600 N. Second Street, Suite 300B
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-8825
Chesapeake Regional Information Service (CRIS)
1-800-662-CRIS
Bayscapes (T)
Baybook: A Guide to Reducing Water Pollution at Home (T)
Bay Journal Newspaper (I)
Controlling Nonpoint Source Water Pollution:
A Citizens Handbook (T)
Nonpoint Source Pollution Publications and Projects (I)
Pennsylvania Streamside Forest Fund ($)
^ American Community Gardening Association
100N. 20th Street, 5th Boor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495
(215) 988-8785
communitygarden.org/
From the Roots Up Program (T, I)
^ American Forests
P.O. Box 20000
Washington, DC 20013
910 17th Street, #600
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 667-3300
www.amfor. org
Stream Releaf (I, T)
^ American Horticultural Society
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 768-5700
https ://www.ahs. org
Tons of great factsheets for a nominal cost!
^ Aquascapes Unlimited Inc.
P.O. Box 364
Pipersville, PA 18947
(215) 766-8151
^ Pennsylvania Audubon Society
lOOWildwoodWay
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 213-6880
www.audubon.org/chapter/pa/pa/
Native Plants in the Creation of Backyard, Schoolyard and
Park Habitat Areas (L, T)
APATH (Audubon Protecting Animals Through Habitat) (I, T)
^ Bat Conservation International
500 N. Capital of Texas Highway
Building 1
P.O. Box 162603
Austin, TX 78716
(512) 327-9721
www.batcon.org
^ Biohabitats. Inc.
15 West Aylesbury Road
Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 337-3659
www.biohabitats.com
Design Manual for Use of Bioretention
in Stormwater Management (T)
^ Canada Office of Urban Agriculture
www. cityfarmer. org
Urban Agriculture Notes Website (I)
City Farmer
^ Center for Chesapeake Communities (I)
209 West Street, Suite 201
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 267-8595
^ Center for Resource Management
1104 East Ashton Avenue, #210
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 466-3600
F (801) 466-6800
Golf and the Environment: Environmental
Principles for Golf Courses in the United States (T, I)
-------
^ Center for Watershed Protection Inc.
8391 Main Street
Ellicott City, Maryland 21403
(410) 461-8323
www.cwp.org
Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection (T)
Erosion and Sediment Control (T)
The Economics of Urban BMPs in the Mid-Atlantic Region (I)
^ Chesapeake Bay Foundation
www.cbf.org/
6 Herndon Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 268-8816
614 N. Front Street, Suite G
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 234-5550
1108 East Main Street, Suite 1600
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 780-1392
A Better Way to Grow (I)
Grasses in Classes (T)
Oyster Gardening Program (T)
^ Chesapeake Bay Trust ($)
60 West Street, Suite 200A
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 974-2941
www.chesapeakebaytrust.org
^ Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage
P.O. Box 1745
Easton, MD 21601
(410) 822-5100
www.cheswildlife.org
Backyard Habitat Program (T, $)
^ Ducks Unlimited
Mid-Atlantic Field Office
203 Romancoke Road, Suite 90
Stevensville, MD 21666
(410) 643-5300
www. ducks. org/
^ The Elizabeth River Project
801 Boush Street, Suite 204
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 625-3648
www.elizabethriver.org
Habitat Enhancement Packet (T, I, $)
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
^ Environmental Concern. Inc. (T, I)
P.O. Box P
St. Michaels, MD 21663
(410) 745-9620
www.wetland.org
^ The Evergreen Foundation
355 Adelaide Street, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1S2 Canada
(416) 596-1495
www. evergreen, ca/home. html
Schoolyard Naturalization and Enhancement Information (I, T)
>• Garden Resources of Washington (GROW) (T, I)
1419V Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-0591
>• Global Action Plan for the Earth
Sustainable Lifestyle Campaign
P.O. Box 428
Woodstock, NY 12498
(845) 679-4830
www.globalactionplan.org/
Eco Team Workbook (I)
^ Izaak Walton League of America
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2983
(800) BUG-IWLA
www.iwla.org
Save Our Streams Program (T, I)
Catalog of Books, Videos, Equipment and Workshops
^ Teff Chorba Landscape Design Website
home.ptd.net/~jchorba/
Designing for Deer Resistance (T)
^ Landscape and Nursery Associations
Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association
P.O. Box 18989
Baltimore, MD 21206
(410) 882-5300
www.mdnurserymen.org
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association
383 Coal Hollow Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721
(800) 476-0055
www.vnla.org
Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association
1707 S. Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 238-1673
www.plna.com
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54
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
^ Maryland Ornithological Society
Cylburn Mansion
4915 Greenspring Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21209
(410) 244-0032
^ Maryland Oyster Recovery Partnership
P.O. Box 6775
Annapolis, MD 21403
(410) 269-5570
^ National Aquarium in Baltimore
Pier 3/501 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-3194
(410) 576-3800
www.aqua.org/
^ National Institute for Urban Wildlife
10921 Trotting Ridge Way
Columbia, MD 21044
Urban Wetlands for Stormwater Control
and Wildlife Enhancement (T)
^ National Arbor Day Foundation
211 North 12th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 474-5655
www.arborday.org
How Trees Can Save Energy (I)
>• National Wildlife Federation
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190-5362
(703) 438-6000
www.nwf.org/
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program (T)
Schoolyard Habitats Program (T)
^ Native Plant Societies
Maryland Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 4877
Silver Spring, MD 20914
www.mdflora.org
List of Nurseries for Native Plants
Virginia Native Plant Society (T, I)
400 Blandy Farm Lane
Boyce, VA 22620
(540) 837-1758
www.vnps.org
List of Nurseries for Native Plants
^ Natural Landscapers. Ltd.
P.O. Box 23576
Milwaukee, WI 53223-0576
www.epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/wildones/
Wild Ones (T)
^ The Nature Conservancy
4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 841-5300
www. nature. org
^ Neighborhood Gardens Association/
A Philadelphia Land Trust (T, I)
325 Chestnut Street, Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 988-8797
^ Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
100 North 20th Street, 5th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495
(215) 988-8800
www. libertynet. org/phs/
Philadelphia Green (T,I)
^ Rock Creek Nature Center
5200 Glover Road, NW
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 426-6828
www. nps.gov/rocr/home. htm
DC Naturally: A Guide to Metropolitan Washington's
Environmental Education Resources
^ Susquehanna River Basin Commission
1721 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391
(717) 238-0423
www.srbc.net/
^ The Terrene Institute
4 Herbert Street
Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 548-5473
www.terene.org
Urban Runoff'and Stormwater Management Handbook(i, T)
A Watershed Approach to Urban Runoff:
Handbook for Decisionmakers (I, T)
Local Ordinances: A User's Guide (I)
Golf and the Environment: What Partners! (I, T)
^ Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association
8218HellneckRoad
Gloucester, VA 23061
(804) 694-4407
www. oystergardener. org
-------
^ Trout Unlimited
1500 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 310
Arlington, VA 22209-2404
(703) 522-0200
www.tu.org/
^ Urban Harvest (I)
P.O. Box 980460
Houston, Texas 77098-0460
(713) 880-5540
www.jumpnet.com/~arjun/UrbanHarvest/
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
>~ Wild Birds Forever (T)
27212 Highway 89
P.O. Box 4904
Blue Jay, California 92317-4909
(800) 459-2473
www.birdsforever.com
PLANT LISTS
^ Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
www.acb-online.org/
6600 York Road, Suite 100
Baltimore, MD 21212
(410) 377-6270
P.O. Box 1981
Richmond, VA 23218
(804) 775-0951
600 N. Second Street, Suite 30013
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-8825
Bayscapes
^ Aquascapes Unlimited. Inc. (T, I)
P.O. Box 364
Pipersville, PA 18947
(215) 766-8151
^ Pennsylvania Audubon Society
lOOWildwoodWay
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 213-6880
www.audubon.org/chapter/pa/pa/
Native Plants in the Creation of Backyard, Schoolyard and
Park Habitat Areas (T, I)
APATH (Audubon Protecting Animals Through Habitat)
^ The Elizabeth River Project
801 Boush Street, Suite 204
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 625-3648
www.elizabethriver.org
Habitat Enhancement Packet (T, I, $)
^ Environmental Concern. Inc. (T, I)
P.O. Box P
St. Michaels, MD 21663
(410) 745-9620
www.wetland.org
^ Teff Chorba Landscape Design Website
home.ptd.net/~jchorba/
Designing for Deer Resistance T
^ Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission
Natural Resources Division
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 952-3650
www.clark.net/pub/mncppc/montgom/home.htm
Native Plants of Prince George's County, Maryland
^ Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002-4226
(202) 962-3256
www. mwcog. org/
Chesapeake Bay Community Action Guide
^ Native Plant Societies
Maryland Native Plant Society (I, T)
P.O. Box 4877
Silver Spring, MD 20914
www.mdflora.org
List of Nurseries for Native Plants
Virginia Native Plant Society (I, T)
400 Blandy Farm Lane
Boyce,VA 22620
(540) 837-1758
www.vnps.org
List of Nurseries for Native Plants
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56
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
^ U.S. Department of Agriculture
Plants Database
tons of information about plants with photos!
plants.usda.gov/plants/
^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 3
Public Environmental Education Center
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 814-5663
www.epa.gov/region3/
Gardener's Guide to a Healthy Environment (T, I)
Gardening in Wet Places
Plants for Wildlife: Native Trees & Shrubs
of the Delaware Valley with High Wildlife Value
Some Garden Resources for the Middle Atlantic States
OTHER RESOURCES
^ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Chesapeake Bay Field Office
177 Admiral Cochrane Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-4500
www.fws.gov/r5cbfo
^ Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
217 Governor Street, Third Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-7951
www.state.va.us/dnh
Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping (T)
(5 brochures: Coastal Plain, Piedmont,
Mountains, Riparian Forest Buffers, Grasslands)
Natural Resources Fact Sheets (I)
^ District of Columbia Environmental Regulation
Administration
Water Resources Management Division
Fisheries Management Branch
2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Suite 203
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 645-6068
www.p2.org/locgovt/district. htm
Aquatic Resources Education Center
^ Fairfax ReLeaf
12055 Government Center Parkway
Suite 703
Fairfax, VA 22035
(703) 324-1409
www.geocities.com/RainForest/5663
^ Federal Native Plant Conservation Committee (I, $)
1849 C Street, NW, Room 3223
Washington, D.C. 20240-000
(202) 219-8933
www.aqd.nps.gov/npci/
^ Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Division
P.O. Box 68
Wye Mills, MD 21679
(410) 827-8612
1996 Maryland Habitat Partners Directory ($)
^ Maryland Eastern Shore Resource Conservation
and Development Council. Inc.
8133 Elliott Road, Suite 201
Easton, MD21601
(410) 822-9300
^ National Association of Conservation Districts Website
www.nacdnet.org/
fib find your local county soil conservation district office)
^ Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 8454
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8454
(717) 772-1828
www.dep.state.pa.us (School Zone/Stuff for Teachers)
Environmental Education Grants Program ($)
^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
To order: (800) 490-9198
www.epa.gov/OWOW/watershed/wacademy/
Catalog of Federal Sources for Watershed Protection
National Environmental Publications
Information System
(EPA publications database)
www.epa.gov/ncepihom/nepishom
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