RESOURCES

EcoScaping…RainScaping…BayScaping…GreenScaping…it’s all about Conservation Landscaping.  There are several helpful websites with extensive information on conservation landscaping.  Many are included in the following inventory, which will be periodically updated. 

About Conservation Landscaping / Habitat Restoration

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay – “The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is a regional nonprofit organization that builds and fosters partnerships to protect and to restore the Bay and its rivers.”  ACB provides extensive BayScaping information.  ph. DC 202-466-4633, VA 804-775-0951, PA 717-737-8622, MD 410-377-6270.  
http://www.acb-online.org/project.cfm?vid=85

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters - Merrill Center, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403, ph. 410-268-8816. Ongoing restoration and demonstration projects on 33 acres. Arboretum, formal native landscape gardens, no-mow meadows, non-tidal wetlands, upland reforestation, bio-retention stormwater management, rain gardens, rain barrels. Open to the public weekdays, 9-5. Please check in with the receptionist before touring the grounds. http://www.cbf.org/landscaping

Chesapeake Bay Program – “The Chesapeake Bay Program is a partnership of people and organizations, ranging from federal and state agencies to local governments to non-profits and academic institutions. Individuals involved with the Bay Program work at both CBP's Annapolis, Maryland headquarters and at partner organizations throughout the Bay watershed.” http://www.chesapeakebay.net

Chesapeake Bay Trust – ”The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a private, nonprofit grant making organization whose mission is to promote public awareness of and participation in the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”  Their “Lessons Learned” page contains helpful tips for conservation landscaping/habitat restoration projects. http://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.enJIKQNoFiG/b.3752573/k.830C/Lessons_Learned.htm

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council – “The coalition is made up of individuals and organizations dedicated to researching, promoting, and educating the public about conservation-based gardening and landscaping practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”  http://www.chesapeakelandscape.org

Chesapeake Ecology Center – CEC at Adams Academy at Adams Park, 245 Clay Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, ph. 410-212-4506.  Educational programs; ongoing restoration and demonstration projects at various locations; 20 Native Plant Demonstration Gardens at the CEC, including several rain gardens.  Located on 10 acres, along the tidal headwaters of College Creek in the heart of Annapolis.  Search our website for conservation landscaping information, photos of native plant gardens, upcoming events, information on self-guided and guided tours, and more.  
http://www.ChesapeakeEcologyCenter.org

Home and Garden Information Center - For home gardening and landscape questions via the Home and Garden Hotline:  in Maryland call 800-342-2507, outside Maryland call 410-531-1757, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 1 pm, and through a Q&A email service on their home page.  An outreach program of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension.  http://www.hgic.umd.edu

Low Impact Development Center – “is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Low Impact Development (LID) technology.  Low Impact Development is a new, comprehensive land planning and engineering design approach with a goal of maintaining and enhancing the pre-development hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds.” http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org

LID Urban Design Tools Website - designed by Low Impact Development Center.  “This site provides watershed managers with a new set of tools and techniques that can be used to meet regulatory and receiving water protection program goals for urban retrofits, re-development projects, and new development sites.” 
http://www.lid-stormwater.net

MD Bay-Wise Program – “focuses on water quality. It comprises a comprehensive set of environmental topics that affect the quality and quantity of water here in Maryland.  Most of these topics relate to landscape management, however, a few, like hydrology, wells & septic systems, hazardous household products and water conservation, address household issues.” http://www.baywise.umd.edu/bwProgram.cfm

National Audubon Society – Audubon at Home Program:  “Create healthy habitats in your backyards and other spaces by planting native species, removing invasive plants, reducing pesticide use, conserving water, protecting water quality, and keeping birds safe.”  http://www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/index.html

National Wildlife Federation – “Gardening for wildlife means you'll get to see beautiful butterflies and birds as well as have a vibrant yard filled with native plants.  Start your own wildlife habitat today with our help.”  http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife

This site is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to promote the environmental landscaping principles of their APATH and BayScapes Programs. http://www.envirolandscaping.org/index.htm

Sustainable Sites Initiative – “is an interdisciplinary partnership between the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the United States Botanic Garden and a diverse group of stakeholder organizations to develop guidelines and standards for landscape sustainability. The motivation behind this initiative stems from the desire to protect and enhance the ability of landscapes to provide services such as climate regulation, clean air and water, and improved quality of life. Sustainable Sites™ is a cooperative effort with the intention of supplementing existing green building and landscape guidelines as well as becoming a stand-alone tool for site sustainability.”  http://www.sustainablesites.org/index.html

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – provides resources on conservation landscaping.  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard

US Environmental Protection Agency – “GreenScaping: The Easy Way to a Greener, Healthier Yard.  Our yards are our outdoor homes:  fun, beautiful, great spaces for relaxing.  By taking care of our lawns and gardens properly, we can save money, time, and help the environment. GreenScaping encompasses a set of landscaping practices that can improve the health and appearance of your lawn and garden while protecting and preserving natural resources.” http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/owners.htm#why

US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office – “Our mission is to conserve protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  Chesapeake Bay Field Office biologists work to protect endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, freshwater and anadromous fish, and wildlife habitats in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.  We also work with many other private and public partners to preserve and protect living resources of the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay ecosystems.”  Provides extensive information on conservation landscaping.  http://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay

Notably, this page is under construction.  Additional websites will be added.