Conservation Landscaping for a Healthy Chesapeake Bay Welcome! Conservation Landscaping for a Healthy Chesapeake Bay Presented by Ann English, Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection Elizabeth Guthrie, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Carol Jelich, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC) Pamela Rowe, Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection and CCLC Britt Slattery, Audubon Maryland-DC and CCLC

The 8 Essential Elements of a Conservation Landscape Presented by Carol Jelich University of Maryland Master Gardener

The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to researching, promoting, and educating the public about conservation-based landscaping practices to benefit the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  The Council is committed to implementing best practices that result in a healthier and more beautiful environment that benefits residents and the region's biodiversity.

In Summer 2003, representatives of non-profit organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, and committed individuals from throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed convened at a summit in Annapolis, Maryland.  The participants had in common a dedication to the principles of conservation landscaping, and a desire to see it become more widely used in the Chesapeake Bay region.  As a result of that summit meeting, the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council was formed. 

CCLC Founding Members Adkins Arboretum Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Arlington County Dept. of Environmental Services Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center Audubon Maryland-DC Audubon Society of Northern Virginia Bay Smart Gardening Chesapeake Bay Foundation Chesapeake Bay Trust Chesapeake Bay Program Environmental Concern, Inc. Good Earth Gardeners Heal Earth Gardens Herr Landscape Architecture & Design Mark Willcher & Company, Inc. Maryland No Child Left Inside Coalition Montgomery County, Maryland Dept. of Environmental Protection Natural Resources Design, Inc. Pax Garden Design Sylvan Green Earth University of Maryland Extension U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ches. Bay Field Office Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries CCLC Founding Members

Conservation Landscape ? Sustainable Landscape Wildscape Bay-Wise Xeriscape Rain Garden Conservation Landscape ? Bayscape Natural Landscape Woodland Garden Meadow Ecoscape

Conservation Landscaping Guidelines: The Eight Essential Elements of Conservation Landscaping This document can be found online at www.ChesapeakeLandscape.org Published as a working draft November 2007 Special Edition revised and updated for Chesapeake Watershed Forum November 2010 © 2010 Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council Photo by Kevin Howe, 2008 Conservation Landscaping Contest winner

1. Is designed to benefit the environment and function efficiently and aesthetically for human use and well-being Photos by Sylvan Kaufman

1. Is designed to benefit the environment Site analysis – soils, light, natural features Goals and needs – play area, seating, birdwatching, screen, color Photos by Sylvan Kaufman

1. Is designed to benefit the environment Mirror natural patterns – create layers of vegetation, link natural areas, leave dead wood Reduce lawn – consider alternatives, amount needed for function

2. Uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site conditions Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Albuquerque, NM Adkins Arboretum, Ridgely, MD Photos by Sylvan Kaufman

2. Uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site conditions Determine which plants are native to your area Choose the right plant for the right place Include a diversity of plants to provide a wide variety of benefits Photo by Brian Jayne

Photo by Sylvan Kaufman 3. Institutes a management plan for the removal of existing invasive plants and the prevention of future nonnative plant invasions Invasive Species Councils Exotic Pest Plant Councils (EPPCs) Photo by Sylvan Kaufman

3. Institutes a management plan for the removal of existing invasive plants and the prevention of future nonnative plant invasions Photo by Carol Jelich

Remove invasive plants Replant disturbed areas 3. Institutes a management plan for the removal of existing invasive plants and the prevention of future nonnative plant invasions Remove invasive plants Replant disturbed areas Choose native or non-invasive plants to plant Monitor! Volunteers removing garlic mustard Photo by Sylvan Kaufman

4. Provides habitat for wildlife Provide food and water sources year round Provide structure, cover, nesting sites Consider alternatives to pesticides Photo by Ann English, Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection

4. Provides habitat for wildlife Photos by Carol Jelich

4. Provides habitat for wildlife Photo by Carol Jelich

4. Provides habitat for wildlife Photo by Carol Jelich

4. Provides habitat for wildlife Photos by Carol Jelich

Photo by Carol Jelich

4. Provides habitat for wildlife

4. Provides habitat for wildlife Photos by Carol and Joe Jelich

5. Promotes healthy air quality and minimizes air pollution Use site appropriate plants to reduce maintenance Landscape to improve energy conservation and air filtration Use environmentally friendly yard equipment and maintain equipment Photo by Marcy Damon

6. Conserves and cleans water Photos by Marcy Damon

6. Conserves and cleans water Select plants adapted to your local climate Create zones according to water needs Only water when necessary and water thoroughly Retain and re-use rainwater runoff Photo by Sylvan Kaufman

6. Conserves and cleans water Photos by Carol Jelich

7. Promotes healthy soils Minimize grading and prevent compaction Store topsoil during construction Prevent erosion Protect existing trees and their root zones

7. Promotes healthy soils Test your soil Improve compacted soils Do not till if soil is not compacted Choose plants adapted to local soils Photos by Marcy Damon

8. Is managed to conserve energy, reduce waste, and eliminate or minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers Select the right plant for the right place Get creative in your material use Recycle organic materials on site Use integrated pest management (IPM) Limit fertilization

8. Is managed to conserve energy, reduce waste, and eliminate/minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers Photos by Carol Jelich

Greener Than Green Gardens/Heliconworks 2008 Conservation Landscaping Contest Winner Professional Category

Photo by Britt Slattery

Photo by Sylvan Kaufman

Photo by Sylvan Kaufman