Water and Chesapeake Bay

WATERSHED RESTORATION & PROTECTION PROGRAM

Improving water quality through stormwater management and watershed restoration techniques.

Calvert County is one of the southernmost counties in the state of Maryland and is bordered on three sides by the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  All land in the county lies within a mile of these waters and every use impacts directly on the Watershed.

Watershed Restoration Specialists work with local and state governments, watershed organizations, and community groups in Maryland to build partnerships, identify funding sources, and advise/assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects. Specialists facilitate measurable reductions in water pollution in the following ways:

  • Classes and workshops teach homeowners how to improve water quality in their own backyard with practices like rain barrels, rain gardens, and tree planting.
  • Technical Assistance Programs help communities address Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) regulations and requirements.
  • Watershed Restoration Projects emerge from collaborative partnerships and effective funding techniques to reduce nutrient and sediment loads.
  • Watershed Restoration Specialists also connect watershed science to policy makers and community leaders to make the most effective water quality decisions.

Learn more about the Maryland Extension Watershed Protection and Restoration Program.

More Information

Asbury Solomons Rain Garden Dedication

October 22, 2021 - Asbury Solomons presented a dedication for the rain garden completed by the inaugural class of Stewards within the Calvert County Watershed Stewards Academy as part of their participation within the program. The rain garden was a wonderful opportunity for our Stewards to gain hands-on experience with installing stormwater best management practices, and a positive solution for the residents of Asbury who no longer have to skirt around a large puddle or ice patch on their heavily used walking path.

Programs & Workshops Provided:

Watershed Stewards Academy

Calvert County Watershed Steward Academy


BECOME A CERTIFIED MASTER WATERSHED STEWARD

Calling all community leaders! 

Are you looking to improve local water quality? The Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) is a great opportunity to learn how to solve stormwater problems in your community and to join a local network of energized leaders.

Calvert WSA

Thank you for your interest in joining the Calvert County Watershed Stewards Academy!

Visit Watershed Stewards Academy for information about current WSA programs.

For more information, contact Caroline DiGiovanni at cdigiova@umd.edu or 240-309-4189.

Please visit the Calvert County WSA webpage for more information and/or fill out the form below to be notified when details about the next course are available. 

I'm interested in learning more about the Calvert County WSA!

Rain Barrel Workshops

Rain barrels are small scale best management practices individuals can adopt. They have measurable outcomes for reducing pollution from stormwater runoff. To learn more about rain barrels and their benefits you can attend a workshop.


To be notified of future workshops contact Caroline DiGiovanni at cdigiova@umd.edu.

Rain Garden Workshops

More info coming soon!

In the meantime, please consider checking out this publication on cleaning Maryland’s waterways one rain garden at a time, by Sandy Coyman, and Keota Silaphone, Updated: May 11, 2021. This new and improved “how-to” manual discusses the benefits of incorporating multiple small-scale practices into a rain garden design.

Download Publication

Septic Smart Homeowners

Learning to maintain your well and septic system is easy.

Schedule and attend a seminar!

Contact:

Caroline DiGiovanni

Watershed Restoration Educator

cdigiova@umd.edu

240-309-4189