Central Maryland Research and Education Center Winter/Spring 2015

Bay-Wise Master Gardener Update

To: Bay-Wise Master Gardeners and MG Coordinators, Sherry Frick; Mike Ensor;

Naima Jenkins-El; Anna Glenn; Herb Reed; Steve Allgeier; Doris Behnke; Luke Gustafson; Susan Trice; Ashley D Bodkins; Joyce Browning; Georgia Eacker; Esther Mitchell; Molly Garrett; Jennifer Horton; Michaela Boley; Annette Cormany; Ginny Rosenkranz; Alicia Bembenek and Jon Traunfeld

From: Wanda MacLachlan Subject: Bay-Wise Update Date: July 2015

Greetings The first part of this year has been relatively wet, which is great for our water table, landscape plants and gardens, but not so great for the bay. Runoff, from this years’ numerous storms, carries toxic materials, sediment, and nutrients into local storm drains and ditches. These waterways connect to local rivers which then empty into the Chesapeake Bay. But the news isn’t all bad. Individually, we can prevent some of this pollution by managing our landscapes using Bay-Wise techniques. How many are you utilizing? This spring/summer issue covers the first half of this year (1/1 through 6/30).

Certified Landscapes According to my records, there have been four new Bay-Wise Master Gardener landscapes certified as demonstration sites since our last newsletter. Two additional certifications were included in this report since they weren’t reported in last year’s newsletters. The names of the proud owners, the counties in which they are situated, and dates of certification of these special landscapes are listed on the following page.

to you for your landscape certifications.

(410) 531-5973 FAX (410) 531-5567 WTM@umd.edu ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 11975 HOMEWOOD ROAD ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND 21042-1545 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS

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2015 Certified Landscapes Between 1/1 & 6/30/15

(alphabetized by last name) First Name Last Name County B-W Training Demo Certification Date Diana Bahr Prince George’s 6/6/2015 6/20/2015 Telly Encarnacion Frederick 5/29/2015 6/29/2015 Dennis Hansford Frederick 5/29/2015 6/29/2015 Gloria Hynes Prince George's 6/6/2015 6/20/2015 Valynda Kingsley Queen Anne’s 11/16/2013 2/27/2014 Cathy Tengwall Queen Anne’s 2/27/2014 3/11/2014

Bay-Wise Advanced Trainings This spring we conducted two Bay-Wise Advanced Training sessions adding 39 new Bay-Wise Master Gardeners to our rolls. We invited some of our Sea Grant Extension Watershed Restoration Specialists to teach a few sessions in our advanced training again this year. They spoke on the state of the bay, meeting county Phase II Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) imposed through Maryland's NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) requirements (TMDLs or Total Maximum Daily Loads, anyone?), rain gardens, and how Master Gardeners can help by tracking homeowner BMPs through their Stormwater Management and Restoration Tracker (SMART) new tool.

In May, Washington and Frederick Counties co-hosted a training that graduated 14 new Bay-Wise Master Gardeners. And 3 returnees sat in for an update. Congratulations to Telly Encarnacion, Dennis Hansford, Jan Knox, and Denise Shriver, from Frederick and Ann Aldrich, Marie Bikle, Carol Charles, Karen Loerich, Joanne McNeal, Mary Noel, Sandy Shay, Sharon Sollenberger, and Fay Wastler from Washington County; and to Norma Verges from Berkley County, for completing the

advanced training. We were also happy to see Gabrielle deSilva, Patti Grove and Jann Rabin from Frederick County, returning for a refresher course. Prince George’s County hosted a training which culminated in early June and graduated 26 new Bay-Wise Master Gardeners. Congratulations to Marthena Cowart, Cyrena Simons, and Susan Urick, from Anne Arundel and Diana Bahr, Barbara Bennett, Sandra Daniels, Rosalie Donatelli, Suzanne Goldberg, Lorraine Hall, Ashley Herbert, Gloria Hynes, Sharan James, Kim Knox, Lorene Lake, Monica McNeal, Elizabeth Olsen, Lynn Palmatier, Kweli Powell, Gaby Sampler, Adrienne Stay, Amy Taylor, Eddie Vanison Jr., Sondra Wallace, Debra Young, and Ralph Young from Prince George’s County; and to St. Clair Theodore from Montgomery County, for completing the advanced training. We expect great things from you all! Upcoming Advanced Trainings Currently, there is one Bay-Wise advanced training scheduled for the first two Wednesdays in November. Queen Anne’s County Master Gardener Coordinator, Molly Garrett is taking registrations. For specific dates, sites and times, visit the Bay-Wise website, www.extension.umd.edu/baywise and look for the link in the top right corner. Also, if you haven’t attended one in a while and would like a refresher, you are welcome to sit in on this training if space is available. Ask Molly whether there is room in the class for you. You don’t have to pay the registration fee but you must bring your

Page 3 of 12 own HomeWork binder because you won’t receive a new one (unless you pay the registration fee). To schedule an advanced training for your county, assemble a group of at least 20 Master Gardeners (don’t forget you can work with other counties to reach your minimum of 20 attendees), select three training dates and a venue and then contact Wanda MacLachlan to work out a schedule. Bay-Wise Statistics Thank you to each and every Master Gardener who has taken the Bay-Wise advanced training. Since the beginning of the program in 1996, you have certified a total of 1,486 client landscapes and 176 non-residential landscapes. In addition, 571 of you have had your landscapes certified as demonstration sites (of which 450 are still maintained as such)!

Since our inception, we have trained a total of 1,224 Master Gardeners as Bay-Wise volunteers and 367 of you are still actively participating on your local committees.

News From the Counties: Anne Arundel Co-chairs, Jim MacNicholl and Robin Gill, report that their committee has grown from 27 to 35 members this year. For the first half of this year, they have certified 18 landscapes, including 2 non-residential sites (Hancock’s Resolution and Crownsville Nursery). They currently have 7 ongoing consultations that should lead to certifications later this year. Jim and Robin additionally report, “The Bay-Wise Committee started this year’s season with several presentations in February and March. As part of our ongoing efforts to work with Galesville, MD to certify a large percentage of the community, Cyrena Simons organized a Yardstick Program on Saturday, March 7th. Despite snow, the Bay-Wise overview presentation by Mary Yee and Becky Peterson was well received. “Saturday, March 14th was the date for the Davidsonville Green Expo. We had a good response, despite rainy weather; attendance was estimated at approximately 300 people. Anne Biddle along with Brenda Darr, Mary Yee, Jean Aden, and Kay Stringfellow presented information on proper lawn care. “West Annapolis Heritage Day was held on Saturday, Mar 21. Marietta Schreiber and Christine Scee set up a table to discuss Bay-Wise practices with those attending the celebration. “In February, Pat Mitchell represented Bay-Wise at the annual State of the Magothy address. – Pat Mitchell had a BW table at the annual meeting of the Magothy River Civic Association and suggested that local groups have BW talks. “Bay-Wise kicked off the 2015 season with a meeting on March 15th, followed by training for New Leaders and New Members on March 23rd. Special thanks go to: Denise Elliott, Brenda Darr and Mary Yee for organizing and presenting the training to 14 Bay-Wise members.

Please Respond Statistics are important to our program. They help us tell our story. When you receive a request to complete an on-line survey from us via our Qualtrics software, please complete it!

Page 4 of 12 “Jim MacNicholl and Pat Mitchell of the Bay-Wise Committee helped Crofton Village Garden Club plant a new Pollinator Garden at the Crofton Library on May 9. Jim worked closely with the club to design the garden entirely of native plants per their members' wishes. Last year, the club invited our team to present two Bay-Wise programs with nearly half of their membership becoming Bay-Wise Certified in the following months. They are fully embracing the principles of bay-friendly gardening and encouraging their Crofton neighbors to choose best practices as well. “At the garden dedication, attended by dignitaries and members of the club and community, Jim was presented a plaque from Hampton "Skip" Auld, CEO of Anne Arundel County Public Library. It expresses appreciation for the work of Master Gardeners at the library. (pictured below)”

Crofton Village Garden Club’s Pollinator Garden dedication

“On June 2, 14 members of the Bay-Wise team toured two rain gardens and one bio-retention pond in Davidsonville - all beautifully-designed and well-functioning. The tours were led by homeowners: Master Watershed Steward Lara Mulvaney, Jerry Klinken, and Steve Barry, former Director of Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center.” Baltimore City Chair, Lynn Supp, reports that their committee of 8 certified 9 client landscapes, and have 3 ongoing consultations that may lead to certifications later this year. They taught 72 city residents in 5 different classes about Bay-Wise principles. Here is

Lynn’s report: “Bay-Wise Committee Chair Lynn Supp and approximately 13 active committee members certified 9 landscapes in the first 6 months, including one large community garden in Curtis Bay. Several Interns shadowed the Bay-Wise trained master gardeners and showed interested in taking the advanced training and joining the committee. “In March, Cathy Thompson, former Bay-Wise Co-Chair, spoke to the Lake Evesham Garden Club for their monthly luncheon. Lynn Supp spoke to the Mt. Washington Garden Club in May. Gail Ritscher, former Bay-Wise Co-Chair, accompanied her and certified the property of the luncheon host as a demonstration for the other members. Additional talks were given by Lynn Supp for the Cultivate Baltimore event at Real Food Farms in Clifton Park and at the Southeast Anchor Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. The library talk resulted in a community garden certification and requests from the library to do future talks at the Waverly and Govans branches when they re-open after renovations in Spring 2016. “In mid-April, Ecofest, in Druid Hill Park, drew an enormous, enthusiastic crowd on a glorious, unusually warm Saturday. Nearly 50 attendees crowded the Bay-Wise booth with questions of every type. Butterfly weed was distributed, delighting the children. Farmers markets in Waverly, under the JFX and in Govanstowne had Bay-Wise themes once a month, April-June, and our booth was heavily attended. One completed certification and one scheduled for August resulted. “The ‘Jewel in the Crown’ was in June, the Bay-Wise and Beautiful Garden Tour of Mt. Washington. The sub-committee, admirably chaired by Gail Ritscher, started meeting in December 2014 to plan the event. This was the second Bay-Wise tour to date. Lots of hard work planning, identifying and certifying the properties, publicizing and many other efforts yielded fantastic results. Over 70 people toured a dozen lovely properties. Many were heard to say it was the best garden tour they had ever attended.”

Page 5 of 12 Baltimore County Co-Chairs, Leslie Erickson and Carolyn Vane inform us that their 20 active committee members have been busy this year. The committee has certified a total of 19 landscapes (the highest of all counties for this report) in the past six months. All were client sites (including one belonging to a Master Gardener). They’ve also made eleven consultations to sites which are in the process of certification. So far this year their team taught Bay-Wise principles to 640 adults and 57 schoolkids at nine different events. Carolyn and Leslie also inform us: “Baltimore County Bay-Wise had a very busy spring. Numerous opportunities to meet the public presented themselves, including speaking opportunities at Small Watershed Action Plan meetings (our county’s way of engaging the public in stormwater related programs), participation in Earth Day events, working with our county to sell and educate folks about rain barrels and compost bins, and speaking to Community Associations. Our most successful method of getting folks to fill out Bay-Wise Yardsticks and Applications has been through hosting Bay-Wise Parties with Garden Clubs and with our Gunpowder Valley Conservancy-partnered Clear Creeks project. For these parties individual homeowners invite their neighbors (or other Garden Club members) to their homes for food, fellowship and a brief interactive Bay-Wise introduction and help to fill out their forms. “This is year 4 (or is it 5) of the Baltimore County Master Gardener’s Demonstration Garden at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park. Carolyn Vane, our B-W co-chair has designed 2 of the 3 gardens we tend with B-W themes. Mailboxes at each garden give visitors information on how to create such gardens at home. Do come for a visit.” It should be noted that 12 of their 19 completed and 7 of the 11 pending certifications happened because of their partnership with the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy. What an efficient way to

partner with a local group to educate county residents. Calvert No report.

Carroll Acting Chair, Dick Heiger, has been trying to turn his chairmanship over to another person for the past few years. He laments that no one has accepted his offer yet. As a result, there has been no reported activity for this year. Let’s hope that before the end of the year someone will kick start the program again. Cecil New Chair, Judy Duffy informs us that they’ve built their ranks to 14 active committee members this year. The relatively new committee has certified two landscapes, including a non-residential site (Bay View Elementary School), in the past six months. Judy reports, “The Cecil County Bay Wise Committee has been working with our local schools to certify the campuses with one being certified last fall and a second this spring. This fall we are hoping to add to that total with the addition of two more schools. We also participated in the Cecil County Wade-In along with other environmental groups, watershed associations, etc. Our exhibit featured a vermiculture box and native plant exhibit with over 50 native plants distributed to the public. Going forward we plan to reach out to home owners associations as well as some of the garden clubs to promote the Bay-Wise program.” Judy adds that the Wade-in event (which hosted 400 adults and 150 youth) resulted in one new landscape being certified and many new contacts have been made.

Page 6 of 12 Charles Co-chairs, Ronda Goldman and Janet McGrane inform us that their team of 30 recently certified 8 landscapes: 6 client sites (4 belonging to Master Gardeners) and 2 non-residential landscapes (Swan Point Yacht & Country Club Golf Course and its Clubhouse). Ronda and Janet report that “The Charles County Bay-Wise Master Gardeners are focusing on accelerating certifications, making community connections as well as building internal interests. The spring season brought the certification of Swan Point Yacht and Country Club, which included their landscape as well as the golf course. And the summer months saw the certification of our first farm, Eat Well DC, which is a farm dedicated to growing fresh and local fare for restaurants in Washington, DC. We are moving forward with connecting new interns with the Bay-Wise program through certifications and communicating with them during Master Gardener activities such as the Plant Sale, Project Day, and the Composting Workshop.

“With over six years under our belt, the committee felt it was necessary to ensure that the program was “burn-out proof”. Of course, there isn’t a way to guarantee that Master Gardeners won’t be overworked, but an ounce of prevention is truly better than a pound of cure. This need led to hosting advanced training sessions for Bay-Wise Master Gardeners that focused on areas of interest to the watershed. The first event is scheduled for August 2015 and will focus on one of our Bay-Wise landscapes that showcases a well-maintained green roof. Other workshops are to follow and we are excited about creating internal energy that has an external impact. “Bay-Wise is also creating connections within the community. Mom’s Organic Market hosted an information day, which opened the door for BWMG’s to connect with residents whom value environmentally conscious choices. Partnerships with organizations such as MOM’s is a strategic way to build Bay-Wise’s presence and assist the

community with understanding the breath of impact Bay-Wise principles can have.” Frederick Chair, Telly Encarnación, reports that their team of 51 certified two demonstration and 2 client landscapes so far this year. Additionally, they made a whopping 17 consultations which should lead to certifications later this year. They also reached 276 residents during 12 different classes. Read below to find out what else the committee has been doing: “Publicity for Bay-Wise Certifications: Four landscapes were certified during this period. “The yard of Stella Sellner in Frederick City is very wildlife friendly and features a variety of native plants with no turf grass. In the two years since she moved to her current home, Master Gardener (MG) Telly Encarnación has been busy carving out small islands in her yard using an assortment of native plants. She plans to add rain barrels and continue adding to her Bay-Wise gardening practice in the future. MG Intern Dennis Hansford’s mature garden of 30 years features a row of blue spruce that protects his home from harsh winds and serves as a beautiful backdrop. He has created an inviting butterfly garden and bird-friendly yard using many native plants, trees, and shrubs. The yard of Peter Brehm and MG John Day, which intersperses native plants with non-invasive exotics, was subsequently on the Frederick City “Behind the Garden Gates” tour in May and produced excellent publicity for the Bay-Wise program.

Newly certified Bay-Wise Demo Landscapes of Master Gardeners,

Dennis Hansford (left) and Telly Encarnación (right)

Page 7 of 12 “The May Master Gardener column in the Frederick News-Post (circulation of 40,500) described the Bay-Wise certification of the Day-Brehm yard and also provided information to encourage other Frederick County residents to consider seeking Bay-Wise certification. (The article is now posted under the MG News Articles link on the Frederick County MG website: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/locations/frederick_county/MG%20Article-04-30-15%20Baywise%20Certification%20by%20M%20Hindman.pdf). “In addition, this yard was the focus of a May 15 feature on WHAG-TV (Hagerstown) promoting Frederick’s garden tour. The homeowners were quoted about their Bay-Wise certification and features of their landscape that are Bay-Wise. (http://www.your4state.com/story/d/story/sneak-peak-of-beyond-garden-gates-tour-showcases-g/18319/FzuFULRp4U2lJlQLHlQp0w) “Lake Linganore Community Bay-Wise Challenge: Committee member Jan Knox, who chairs the environmentally focused Friends of the Lake group in her large community east of Frederick City, is leading an effort to raise awareness of Bay-Wise principles and encourage residents to have their landscapes certified. Each issue of the Lake Linganore magazine features an aspect of the Bay-Wise Yardstick, and Bay-Wise information is featured on the Friends of the Lake web site (https://www.lakelinganore.org/friends-of-the-lake/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofLakeLinganore/). “So far 16 residents have signed up for the Challenge and are adding up their points on the Yardstick each month. Jan is now a certified Bay-Wise Master Gardener, having completed Bay-Wise Advanced Training classes and field training this spring. She is working with Certification Chair Jann Rabin to schedule the Lake Linganore certifications by the end of 2015. The Bay-Wise Challenge is expected to be offered again in 2016 and subsequent years to residents of Lake Linganore.

“Native Plant Hedgerow: Committee members, under the leadership of Suzy Bailey, are completing a project to provide new labels to identify the plants in the native hedgerow that borders the Extension Office parking lot.”

Harford Welcome new Bay-Wise Master Gardener Chair, Beatrice Fillburn, who informs us that their committee of 25 members have been busy back in the classroom. Since last report they have certified 7 client landscapes (5 belonging to a Master Gardeners). They also reached 422 residents (including 264 youth) during STEM events at three different middle schools and one Christian School. Beatrice shares this: “Harford County Bay-Wise Master Gardeners worked at several events in the community this spring to inform clients about Bay-Wise practices. We took our watershed model to STEM nights at Edgewood Middle School, Patterson Mill Middle School, and Mountain Christian School. The children participated and their parents observed as we demonstrated how they can help control storm water contamination and runoff from the yards around their homes and in their communities. Two Master Gardeners shared information and materials to Bel Air Middle School students working on a native landscape project on the grounds at their school. Three MGs shared Bay-Wise information and distributed over 300 trees at the Bel Air Farmers Market. Bay-Wise information tables were staffed at Bel Air Garden Mart, at Christ our King Church environmental day (resulting

Page 8 of 12 in 2 Bay-Wise certifications), at the Darlington in Bloom festival, and at the annual wade-in at the Anita Leight Estuary. A Bay-Wise talk was given to Friendship Garden Club, resulting in 2 Bay-Wise certifications in members’ yards.” Howard Bay-Wise Master Gardener Chair, Linda Decker reports that their committee has grown from 38 to 52 this year. They certified one client landscape so far this spring. They have 11 landscape consultations pending. They have also taught over 991 county residents (including 501 school children) Bay-Wise principles in 27 classes and made over 540 contacts at public events such as community fairs and plant sales. Linda reports, “During the first half of 2015 the Howard County Bay-Wise team was actively engaged in delivering presentations and participating in public events with our trifold displays. Nine of our team members delivered presentations on Bay-Wise Landscaping, Rain Gardens, Native Plants, Gardening for Pollinators and Tree Planting. There were presentations to at least 27 different groups including Community Centers, Garden Clubs, Homeowners Associations, Libraries and Schools. In a reprise from last year, Paul Beares once again delivered a webinar to 6th graders in Howard County, reaching 406 students and their teachers on The State of the Bay and Bay-Wise Gardening.

“This was the first time we included our new presentation “Trees, Wonderful Trees” in our speakers bureau catalog. This presentation was delivered seven times at six different venues including the Jewish Day School where 95 students

participated. Given the recent recommendation in the 2014 State of the Bay report encouraging more tree planting in Maryland, this presentation is spot-on! We also used the tree theme in month long displays installed by Sherry Conklin at the Glenwood, Miller and East Columbia libraries. “We participated in the Howard County GreenFest at Howard Community College. We staffed our Bay-Wise exhibit answering questions from the public and providing information on Bay-Wise Certification and consultations. For the third year we also sponsored a Native Plant Sale in the courtyard outside the exhibit hall. There we debuted our new Native Plant exhibit prepared by Alison Milligan and our Bay-Wise Master Gardeners interacted with community members interested in learning about native plants. Pat Hooker and Dot Rockstroh led a team that assisted vendors with set-up and provided a secure location for folks to purchase plants and leave them while they visited the displays indoors. The number of vendors and footprint was nearly double that of the previous year and we found that residents are now coming to GreenFest with the expectation of browsing the sale and purchasing plants.

“In the weeks following GreenFest we again used our Native Plant display at the Savage Spring Plant sale and the Robinson Nature Center Native Plant sale. Richard Freas coordinated this for us. It was our first time participating in an event at Savage. The vendors there were not selling natives but we had the opportunity to engage members of the community and explain the value of natives as well as share information on Bay-Wise gardening. “This spring we visited 11 homeowners and offered advice on their gardening concerns. More are in progress. We typically send a team of three: two experienced Bay-Wise Master Gardeners and an intern or novice. We have a roster of 47 volunteers available to participate in these consultations and we match them to the clients based on their interest, availability and preferred area of the county. By far the most common request from

Page 9 of 12 clients is for help with storm water issues followed by an interest in adding native plants to their yards. “We are pleased that a number of the interns from our Master Gardener class of 2015 joined the Bay-Wise team. At our volunteer fair, more than half of the 26 interns expressed an interest in participating in our activities and a number of them have become very active: Linda Olson and LJ Mauceri have taken on responsibility for our demonstration rain garden at the Alpha Ridge Landfill and they have enthusiastically pulled together work teams for weeding, thinning, mulching and maintaining this site as a teaching tool. Our twice monthly rain barrel and compost bin give away is adjacent to this garden and Master Gardeners are there to educate members of the public. Other interns have joined the committee planning our fall garden tour or are participating in our homeowner consultations. “The Rain Barrel distribution program at the Alpha Ridge Landfill began again in April. There was a shortage of barrels initially, but through June, 36 barrels have been adopted by Howard County homeowners. Each recipient is given information on how to equip and use the barrels and asked to sign a pledge that the barrels will be put to use. We are confident these barrels are in service. “We continue to provide on-site consultations for members of the Howard County community to help them solve their landscaping problems. In an effort to gauge the impact of our efforts, we established a committee headed by Sylvia Huestis to develop a questionnaire and strategy to contact the many residents we have consulted with over the past few years and determine if our recommendations were implemented and to what result. We would like to be able to offer our clients the option of an on-line survey as well as transition our Homeowners Questionnaire to a form that can be completed and submitted on-line. Wanda MacLachlan is supporting this initiative and Caroline Feil is working with the IT folks at the University to make it happen. Once we have this capability we look forward to feedback from the community.”

Prince George’s Franchella Kendall, Chair, reports that their 21 member-committee has certified 2 Bay-Wise demo sites and 1 client site within the past six months. Franchella adds that “Twenty one Prince George’s County Master Gardeners recently completed the Bay-Wise Training. They have yards certified as meeting the Bay-Wise requirements, two of the yards were designated as Demonstration yards.” (See picture)

Bay-Wise Master Gardener, Gloria Hynes (right), gets her yard

certified. Also pictured are the Master Gardener Coordinator, Esther Mitchell (left) and Bay-Wise Committee Chair, Franchella Kendall.

Queen Anne’s Long-time Co-Chair, Vida Morley, respectfully resigned her seat this year. Chair, Debbie Pusey, is updating records and this report covers all of 2014 and the first have of 2015. Debbie reports that their committee of 26 have certified 7 landscapes, in the past 18 months, including 2 demo sites, 4 client landscapes and 1 non-residential site (Gunston School). They currently have 2 ongoing consultations that should lead to certifications later this year. Debbie shares, “Queen Anne’s County continue to have a presence at the farmers’ markets in Chestertown and Kent Island. We have also had Master Gardeners extending outreach information at numerous other events including Kent Island Days, Centreville Middle School Earth Day, and Kennard Elementary School Bay Days. In addition to working with the Corsica River Conservancy, we are now also working with the

Page 10 of 12 Chester River Association. Bay-Wise information has been included in some of their newsletters. “A core group of Master Gardeners continues to work with Talisman Therapeutic Riding in Grasonville. They have developed a large vegetable garden for attendees to work in and have worked on implementing Bay-Wise landscaping practices wherever possible. We are planning to certify both the vegetable garden and the property in August. “QAC Master Gardeners have also begun to partner with the QAC Parks and Recreation Department. Our initial meeting, which included brainstorming ideas and goals, led to a joint venture tour of some of the parks in the southern end of our county. We plan to continue this process with a tour of some of the northern county parks and then tackle the middle of the county. Every park we stopped at, ideas were exchanged to improve the Bay-Wise qualities in entrances, walking paths, playground areas and more. This is just the beginning of what we think will be a very important relationship.”

St. Mary’s Committee Co-Chairs, Linda Crandall and Jennifer Horton, report that their committee of 6 certified 4 client landscapes (3 belonging to Master Gardeners), in April and May. They gave a Bay-Wise & Native Plant presentation to 45 attendees at the Pastoral Counselling Center in May. Jennifer says, “In April, Bay-Wise MG’s participated in the annual ‘Earth Day on the Square’ celebration in Leonardtown. Throughout the afternoon they were able to make contact with dozens of people and discuss B-W practices. In June, B-W MG Linda Crandall staffed our Bay-Wise display at a county-wide event at St. Clement’s Island Museum. This was another great event for interacting with the public.” Talbot

Co-Chairs, Lynn Freeburger & Lisa Ghezzi report that they certified eight landscapes, 5 client and 3 non-residential (Frederick Douglas Park, Oxford Community Center and St. Michaels Museum) within the past six months. They also have 3 consultations pending certification later this year. They report, “Talbot County is in the process of revitalizing its Bay-Wise Program; it is going well. “During the first half of the year we have certified 8 people. That is double the number that we did all of last year. “Our main goal for 2015 is to meet regularly with our team to energize existing team members and to encourage new people to join us. “To make the meetings more valuable, we spend the time highlighting one of the Bay-Wise objectives such as Storm Water Management, Composting, Lawn reduction and Protecting the Waterfront. Additionally, we are including Ditch Plantings and Vegetable gardening. “Each meeting is held at the home of one of our Bay-Wise trained Master Gardeners who has an in-depth knowledge of one of the topics. We come away with an enhanced understanding of these important concepts. “Co Bay-Wise Coordinator, Lisa Ghezzi, identified each team member and set up the meetings.” Washington Master Gardener Coordinator, Annette Cormany is happy to introduce Ann Aldrich as the new Washington County Co-Chair. Annette reports that their committee is regrouping and that “17 Master Gardeners from Washington and Frederick Counties became certified after completing joint Bay-Wise training in May. Over 100 visitors learned Bay-Wise principles at our educational displays at several spring plant clinics at farmers’ markets and libraries.” Expect more from this reinvigorated group soon.

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More Assorted Stuff Upcoming Anniversary In 2016 the Bay-Wise Landscape Management Program will celebrate its 20th year of training. How can we mark the occasion? Confer with your fellow Bay-Wise committee members and let me know your thoughts. Nifty Tool for Measuring Area As Bay-Wise Master Gardeners, we often make recommendations based on square footage of the landscape. But obtaining the area is often not easy to do – but it just got a little easier. Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has a measurement feature on their website that allows you to easily measure the square footage of an area. It was developed as a tool for pesticide applicators to identify sites containing crops that are sensitive to pesticide damage so they can take special care when making applications. A link to the tool can be found on their Sensitive Crop Locator webpage. Here are instructions for measuring the area of a property. 1. Click on “the tool” link above 2. Bookmark the site in your web browser 3. Click “Basemap” and select “Imagery with

labels” option 4. Type address in the search box and close Image

search box after image appears 5. Click “Measure” button near top of page 6. Click on first box (Area) and click down arrow to

right to select square feet option 7. Now, you are ready to define the property

boundaries. 8. Place cursor on edge of property line and click.

This will begin drawing the boundary lines. Drag cursor to each corner of property, clicking when you reach each corner. Double click cursor when you reach the starting point.

9. The area should appear in the Measurement Result box.

While not perfect, this tool will give you a ballpark measurement. It is only as accurate as the information you put in. So practice your skills on a known area before using the tool for a “real” measurement. Bay-Wise Promo Brochures Our last issue advertised the latest version of the MD Bay-Wise Yardstick. This issue ushers in the updated promotional brochure. Thanks to editing by Trish Moore, Baltimore County University of Maryland Extension’s Desktop Publishing Technician, the two-fold brochure can now be downloaded from the “For Bay-Wise Master Gardeners Only” page of our Bay-Wise website. Interested in Planting Trees?

The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee (MUCFC) is a volunteer group of citizens, professionals, and government officials united to protect and enhance Maryland's forest ecosystems. MUCFC

is a sub-committee of the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards. Every county in the state has a Forestry Board. The primary functions of the Committee are to 1.) Promote and coordinate the Maryland Community PLANT award program that officially recognizes communities planting and caring for trees, and 2.) Administer grants to communities, through their local Forestry Boards, that promote planting and care of trees. If you are interested and would like more information about membership, please

Page 12 of 12 contact Wayne Lucas, 301-324-2684 or me, at 410-531-5973. If you are interested in applying for a grant of up to $1,500, or learning more about MUCFC, visit: http://dnr2.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/programs/urban/mucfcgrant.aspx 100% Certified? Sadly, many of you have not had your landscapes certified yet. So far 571 “demo landscapes” have been designated throughout the state. Over the years, 1,224 of you have taken the Bay-Wise advanced training. This means that only 46% of you have certified landscapes. If you aren’t among the few, the proud, the “certified,” consider having it done this year. Contact your county’s Bay-Wise committee chair to set up an appointment. The process is easy & fun and one of the rewards is increased visibility in your neighborhood as an expert on ecologically sound landscaping.

One of the successful indicators of the Bay-Wise Landscape Management Program is to have all Bay-Wise Master Gardeners’ landscapes certified as demonstration landscapes. Let’s see how many more we can get certified in time for our 20th anniversary in 2016.

Wanda MacLachlan Contact Information: wtm@umd.edu 410-531-5973 11975 Homewood Road Ellicott City, MD 21044