CMM-PR-08-22
BaySmarter: A Conservation Workshop for Watershed Homeowners
Apr 16, 2008, 09:14
Natural beauty; clean water; plentiful habitats - find out how you can live responsibly in the Chesapeake Bay region. On Saturday, June 21, 2008, the Calvert Marine Museum will host BaySmarter: A Conservation Workshop for Watershed Homeowners and Educators. This workshop, appropriate for all residents interested in being better stewards of the environment, will bring participants together with environment experts and government representatives for a full day of conservation related activities.
Sponsored by the Calvert and St. Mary’s County Master Gardeners, the Marine Museum, and SEARCH (Solomons Environmental and Archaeological Consortium) this workshop focuses on how the community can become BaySmarter. In the morning (9:00-noon) hear from conservation experts on why the health of the bay is so important; listen as county and state representatives explain why legislation was passed to protect the watershed; find out exactly how the laws apply to you as property owners, especially if you live in the critical area (within 1000 feet of the Bay and/or tributary). Learn what your county is doing to help protect the environment and ask county representatives about issues of concern to you.
At noon registrants will board the Wm. B. Tennison for an hour long guided tour of local shorelines. The afternoon program offers sessions on how to be Bay-Wise: A Homeowner’s Guide to a Healthier Bay. A series of displays and demonstrations will be set up on the grounds of the museum. Master Gardeners and other experts will present storyboards, demonstrations, and provide resource materials. Participants can learn about shoreline mitigation and wetlands, erosion control, nitrogen runoff, soil analysis, and green lawns among other topics that will be covered from 1:30-4:30.
This special day will end with a reception at the waterfront home of a local Master Gardener. Registrants will be introduced to the Bay-Wise Landscape Management Program, a Maryland Master Gardener activity. This program offers free consultation and advice to area homeowners on how to follow best practices that maintain the health of the bay. Registrants will be shown how to put those best practices to work!
All activities are free and open to the public. Due to space constraints, the field trips aboard the Wm. B. Tennison and to the reception are limited to pre registrants. To register, call 410-326-2042 ext. 41.
