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Conservation
- Ash Seed Collection
- Bay Smarter Workshop
- Community Resources Building Landscape Restoration
- Green Schools
- Patuxent River Appreciation Days
Ash tree seeds collected in Calvert County |  |
There once was a time when the American Chestnut tree dominated the eastern landscape. Sadly, those majestic trees are now only found as stump sprouts. The species is nearly extinct due to a canker disease called Chestnut blight.
Today, multiple species of Ash trees are facing a similar threat. The Emerald Ash Borer, an insect native to Asia, was inadvertently introduced to the United States in 2002 and has already killed 20 million trees collectively in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. In 2003, the Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in Maryland, specifically in neighboring Prince George's County.
But this time, because we have detected the threat early, we have the opportunity to save a species! The Maryland Master Gardener Program has provided volunteers to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an important mission, namely, to preserve the genetic diversity of native Ash trees currently growing in the state of Maryland by collecting seeds.
Calvert County Master Gardeners were among the first county groups to respond to USDA's request for assistance. We began our participation with training in seed collection protocols from a curator from the U.S. National Arboretum. Then, in early fall 2007, the team walked through many forested and wetland areas in Calvert County in search of wild growing Ash trees bearing seed. After obtaining permission to collect seed from property owners, the curator and the CCMG team returned to the confirmed sites and successfully collected seed from three different species of Ash trees found in Calvert County: White Ash (Fraxinus americana), Green Ash (F. pennsylvanica), and Pumpkin Ash (F. profunda).
To learn more about:
Emerald Ash Borer, visit http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/eab
and http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/emeraldAshBorer.cfmWoody Landscape Plant Germplasm Repository at the U.S. National Arboretum, visit http://www.usna.usda.gov/Research/wlpgr.html
Conservation for Chesapeake Watershed Homeowners
 | Calvert County Master Gardeners held the first BaySmarter Conservation Workshop June 21 at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons Island |
Early in 2008 Maryland’s Critical Area Commission published a handbook entitled "Bay Smart" for Maryland citizens explaining the State’s Critical Area Act and conservation activities in the Chesapeake Bay region. To raise awareness and facilitate implementation of the Act the Calvert County Gardeners launched a major new conservation activity entitled BaySmarter. This effort complements and expands the Master Gardener’s Bay-Wise project.
The first activity of the BaySmarter Project was to hold a conservation workshop. The BaySmarter Conservation Workshop was held June 21, 2008, at the Calvert Marine Museum, where the Calvert County Master Gardeners were joined by their St Mary’s counterparts, the Marine Museum and the Maryland Critical Area Commission to put on a day long venue of learning, listening and observing conservation activities. This effort was funded in part by the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Invited speakers included Jackie Takacs of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratories, who kicked off the morning with a State of the Bay talk. Mary Owens, Maryland’s Critical Area Commission, discussed the details of the 2008 Critical Area Act. Ms Owens was followed by Gary Setzer, Maryland Department of the Environment and, in turn by Rich Takacs, NOAA. Setzer and Takacs addressed the issues and practicalities of shoreline erosion and putting in living shorelines.
Over lunch attendees were treated to a ride on the Museum’s boat, the Tennison to view nearby areas of shoreline erosion. Bill Clark of the Soil Conservation District narrated the tour. Other attendees were treated to a walking tour led by Rich Takacs on the grounds of Asbury to view the shoreline and discuss issues and solutions.
After lunch Master Gardeners were present at a Storyboard Tent where numerous panels on areas directly related to best horticultural practices were displayed. These included topics such as nitrogen-reducing septic systems, low nitrogen use lawns, storm water runoff among many others.
| Native plants and tips for the homeowner were in plentiful supply at the Storyboard Tent at the Calvert Marine museum. |  |
The day ended with a garden party at the waterfront home of a local Master Gardener. Attendees were treated to tours of this Bay-Wise Demonstration Garden and had time to discuss critical area issues with Master Gardeners on the spot.
Future activities of the BaySmarter Project will include annual conservation workshops and realtor training classes among others.
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Visitors were treated to a visit to a Bay-Wise Garden and offered suggestions by Master Gardeners in a relaxing atmosphere.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES BUILDING LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECT
Community Resources Building front entrance view before restoration |  |
Global warming. Air and water pollution. Colony collapse disorder. We’ve all seen the news reports. It doesn’t sound good, does it? Conserve, reuse, and recycle have become household practices. Those are a good start. But is there more we can do to help our environment?
The answer is yes! Let’s restore and preserve native wildlife habitats. Let’s create pockets of habitat, wildlife oases if you will, that will feed and foster our native pollinators (birds, bees, bats, other insects) and other wildlife.
The Calvert County Master Gardeners (CCMG) have formed partnerships with Calvert County government agencies and University of Maryland Cooperative Extension to install and maintain a native, demonstration landscape, and to repair and augment storm water management practices, at the Community Resources Building (CRB) in Prince Frederick. The CRB is across the street from the Prince Frederick Post Office in the building that was once the public library. This central location will provide and ideal spot for visitors to stroll through the gardens and learn about the use of native plants and storm water management techniques that can be incorporated into their own landscapes.
 | Community Resources Building left streetside view before restoration |
This restoration project will reintroduce a few dozen native plant species to the landscape. Trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials suitable to sun, shade, wet and dry areas will be on display at project completion. Plant lists and fact sheets will be available at the Cooperative Extension office in the CRB.
Landscape installation is scheduled to begin in April/May 2008 and be completed by the end of the year.
This project is funded through a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a grant from the Stormwater Management Grant Program of the Calvert County Department of Public Works, the Calvert County Department of General Services, and Maryland Cooperative Extension.
Stop by to see what’s happening in your county. Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk.
More Information: The Community Resources Building Demonstration Landscape Restoration Project is one of several educational activities offered by the CCMGs throughout Calvert County. For more information on these events or the Master Gardener Program, email us at mailto:bgolden1@umd.edu or contact the Calvert County Office of the Maryland Cooperative Extension at 301-855-1150 or 410-535-3662.
Coming soon ...
Patuxent River Appreciation Days
CCMG booth at PRAD 2007 |  |
Now in its 30th year, The Patuxent River Appreciation Days (PRAD) is an annual festival that honors and celebrates the Patuxent River system – its culture, history, economy – and its inhabitants.
Held each October, PRAD recognizes and celebrates the work done each year by local and state government entities, environmental and historical groups, and countless individuals. These diverse stakeholders work tirelessly to protect and restore the health of the Patuxent River, an important tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.
This exciting and informative two-day event features science and history exhibits, children's activities, music performances, a juried craft fair, free harbor cruises, and a food court.
The Calvert County Master Gardeners (CCMG) support and participate annually in PRAD to help the public reflect on the Patuxent watershed's rich past and the importance of ensuring its healthy future. Master Gardeners provide information about a variety of gardening topics and are available throughout the event to answer questions and share ideas about environmentally responsible gardening.
In support of the PRAD’s 2007 theme of erosion and runoff control, the CCMG displayed examples of native grasses, dispensed free informative brochures, and gave away dozens of potted blackhaw viburnum and New York ironweed plants.
We invite you to come join us to celebrate our river! PRAD is held on Columbus Day Weekend in October on the grounds of the Calvert Marine Museum. All events are open to the public and admission is free.
More Information: The Patuxent River Appreciation Days is one of several educational activities offered by the CCMGs throughout Calvert County. For more information on these events or on the Master Gardener Program, please email us at mailto:bgolden1@umd.edu or contact the Calvert County Office of the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service at 301-855-1150 or 410-535-3662.
For more information, contact Kathleen Mickley
Last updated: 03/10/2009