Prince George's County Environment and Natural Resources

The Maryland Sea Grant Program develops and carries out a range of effective research and educational programs in aquaculture. The Aquaculture & Coastal Restoration Focus Team of Sea Grant Extension targets prospective producers, business owners, commercial harvesters, resource managers, students, and educators, informing them about issues from oyster gardening to sturgeon stocks, to nutrient remediation using aquatic plants.

Maryland Sea Grant College draws on the talent and expertise of the state's universities and academic laboratories to foster innovative marine research, education, and outreach. Maryland Sea Grant serves as a bridge between academic expertise and the needs of those who manage, conserve, enjoy, or make their living from the Chesapeake Bay.

Additional Information

For more information about the Maryland Sea Grant Program, or for help developing your business plan, conducting an economic feasibility analysis, or identifying potential funding programs for your project, please contact Matt Parker, Principal Agent Associate, at mparke11@umd.edu or (301) 226-7436.

Related Resources

• UMD Extension Aquaculture
• Aquaculture Business Planning & Management
• AgPlan Online Business Planning Tool
• Maryland Sea Grant
• Maryland Sea Grant Aquaculture Program
• Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center
• Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Aquaculture
• Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources Shellfish Aquaculture
• Maryland Oyster Aquaculture Industry Summary

The Maryland 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. 

Most Maryland residents live within a half-mile of a storm drain, stream, or river. Most of these waterways eventually drain into the Chesapeake Bay. What we do to maintain our own landscapes can affect the health of our local waterways (drainage ditches, streams, and rivers), the Chesapeake Bay, and our environment. We all need to do our part to take care of our waterways and environment. By changing a few simple landscape practices, you and your family can help keep Maryland communities healthy.

Bay-Wise Certification

University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners can certify your yard or garden as Bay-Wise friendly. If you use sustainable practices to avoid stormwater runoff, use native plantings, reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides, and/or maintain a healthy lawn, your yard can be certified.

For more information about the Bay-Wise Program Certification or to have your yard Bay-Wise Certified, contact Esther Mitchell estherm@umd.edu.

The University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener Program educates Maryland residents on safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities. Master Gardeners serve as volunteer horticultural educators.

Prince George's County Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Program in Prince George's County has approximately130 volunteers. Programs include education on Native Plants, Composting, Integrated Pest Management, Pollinators, Grow It Eat It, and solving garden problems with our Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinic and BayWise.

Participants receive 50 hours of basic training from University faculty/staff and Master Gardeners and then must complete 40 hours of required volunteer service during the first year to receive their Master Gardener Certification.

For more information about the program, please contact Esther Mitchell, Master Gardener Coordinator,  estherm@umd.edu or 301-226-7437.

Master Gardeners provide free advice to residents on a very wide range of garden questions, problems, and situations. Stop by one a Prince George's County's Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinics to receive free information on a variety of subjects.

What can Master Gardeners do for you?

• Help you select and care for annual and perennial plants, shrubs and trees
• Determine if you need to test your soil
• Provide you with information on lawn care
• Identify weeds, beneficial and noxious insects, and plant diseases and remedies
• Teach you how to use pesticides, mulch and compost
• Provide you with gardening resources
• Provide information on how to submit a plant sample for diagnosis

Locations, Dates & Times of Plant Clinics

Do you have a Beautiful yard/garden? Do people compliment you on your yard/garden? Do you know someone with a beautiful yard?

The Prince George's County Beautification Committee awards gardeners who help to beautify their neighborhood with a beautiful yard.

This is a FREE program of the county.

Enjoy the benefits of your labor to beautify your yard and keep your yard looking good.

Just fill out the application below for yourself or to nominate someone with a beautiful yard and submit it before the deadline of April 30th. This is not a competition; each yard is evaluated on its own merits and sustainable practices. You or the person you nominate can be a winner!

For more information, visit the Prince George's County Beautification Committee website.

Apply Today!

• Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
• Host Plants for Butterflies
• Who are the Pollinators

Learn how to grow your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs with the University of Maryland Extension Grow It Eat It  Program.

This program promotes backyard and community food production. Master Gardeners teach classes and workshops, develop demonstration gardens, and teach Marylanders how to produce affordable, healthy food using sustainable gardening practices in their homes, communities, and school gardens.
 

UME educational programs that support sustainable aquaculture, seafood safety, ecosystem restoration, and Maryland's seafood industry. 

Learn More

The University of Maryland Extension ENR program offers resources on forest stewardship, wildlife habitat, conservation practices, renewable energy, and natural resource management. 

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UME agents offer education on water quality, watershed protection, climate resilience, stormwater management, and the proper care of private wells and septic systems. 

Learn More

UMD Extension agents provide the community with science-based information on gardening, landscaping, integrated pest management, and sustainable landscape practices. 

• Ask an Extension Agent
• Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC) 
• Master Gardener Program
• UME Gardening Resources