Class 13's Impact

Each year, Steward Candidates complete a capstone project as part of the Certification Course. From creating activities to engage students in environmental literacy to planting hundreds of perennials in a conservation landscape, Class 13 Stewards made an impact on clean water throughout the county!

Allison Colden

Project: Invasive removal and conservation landscape planting
Location: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Allison and her team of CBF staff and community volunteers removed invasive plants from an existing bioretention area on the property and installed a 1,550 square foot conservation landscape consisting of 180 perennials.

Linda Meyer

Project: Community engagement programming
Location: Gravely neighborhood (Davidsonville) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Linda gathered environmental stewards of all ages for Water, Water, Water and Plants, Plants, Plants! Over the course of two evenings, her neighbors explored the impacts of stormwater and identified native and invasive plants. Through hands-on art and science activities, attendees were inspired to protect and restore the natural resources around them!

Diane Rey

Project: Launched a Green Team with ongoing educational outreach
Location: Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church (Cape St. Claire) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Diane organized her congregation’s Green Team to encourage church members to adopt environmentally friendly habits. Through virtual and in person events, the team inspired over 50 congregants of all ages to to restore, honor, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Jenny Janis

Project: Conservation planting
Location: St. Luke’s Restoration of Nature (Annapolis) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Jenny and her team of volunteers planted over 200 trees and shrubs in a conservation planting at St. Luke’s. The newly installed understory planting will prevent erosion along a sloped trail area while providing food and shelter for the critters who call the restoration home.

Lynette DelPrete

Project: Conservation landscape planting
Location: Maryland City at Russett Public Library (Laurel) ⬝ Little Patuxent Watershed

Lynette and volunteers removed invasives and installed a conservation landscape at the library entrance. Nearly 120 native plants, including Black eyed Susan, smooth blue aster, butterfly weed, and beautyberry will support pollinators, reduce runoff, and promote sustainable landscapes to library visitors of all ages!

Lucy Heller

Project: Rain barrel and conservation landscape installation
Location: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (Annapolis) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Lucy worked with Alliance staff to install a rain barrel and went live on Facebook while doing it! In case you missed it, you can watch it here. Then, she engaged volunteers to plant over 100 native perennials and shrubs in a conservation landscape!

Phyllis Saroff

Project: Neighborhood tree planting
Location: Hillsmere Community (Annapolis) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Annapolis’ Hillsmere neighborhood is home to 20 newly planted native trees, thanks to Phyllis and her volunteers! Located at a highly trafficked water access point, the trees will soak in stormwater runoff before it enters Duvall Creek.

Meg Kirkendall

Project: Virtual education programming and litter clean up
Location: Odenton Public Library (Odenton) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Meg coordinated three virtual events on Earth Day, engaging community members of all ages in environmental programming. Attendees were introduced to a vulture and explored other wildlife in their backyards. Inspired by their discoveries, a crew of volunteers joined Meg to clean up trash around Odenton Public Library.

Kate Vogel

Project: Programming for Anne Arundel County Public Library
Location: Annapolis and Crofton Public Libraries ⬝ Severn River and Little Patuxent Watersheds

Kate designed and hosted an environmental literacy program called “What is a Watershed?” for students at two county libraries. Through hands-on activities, the students discovered what makes a watershed healthy and explored the differences between pervious and impervious surfaces. Inspired by their newfound knowledge, the students discussed how to reduce pollution in their own neighborhoods.

Kimberly Stringer

Project: Conservation landscape planting
Location: South Drive (Severna Park) ⬝ Magothy River Watershed

Kimberly planned and installed an expansion of an existing conservation landscape and raingarden in her Severna Park neighborhood. With the help of volunteers, the native plants installed will prevent flooding and standing water, while inspiring neighbors to introduce native plants in their own yards.

Mary Mulvihill

Project: Conservation landscape planting
Location: Beechwood Hill (Annapolis) ⬝ Severn and South River Watersheds

Mary and her community installed a conservation landscape at the community’s main entrance. The highly visible location demonstrates how native shrubs, grasses, and perennials can redress slope and soil erosion caused by stormwater runoff; replaces compacted turf grass to allow better stormwater infiltration; provides habitat; and beautifies property grounds.

Stacey Wildberger

Project: Conservation landscape planting
Location: Cape St. Claire (Annapolis) ⬝ Magothy River Watershed

Stacey and her army of volunteers planted nearly 400 native perennials and shrubs in the community’s “Serene Ravine.” Through her efforts, neighbors experience the increase in biodiversity in their neighborhood and are inspired to take action in their own yards.

Kristin Silva

Project: Community outreach programming
Location: Carrolton Manor (Severna Park) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Kristin designed an outreach program to create awareness of the local environment and the ways her neighbors can make even small changes in their homes and gardens to improve water quality on the Severn River. Kristin’s first event focused on the community’s tree canopy and the impact of English ivy. Kristin continues to engage her neighbors in environmental action through programs on composting, rain barrels, stormwater runoff and native plants.

Stacy Allen

Project: Tree planting
Location: Holland Point ⬝ Herring Bay Watershed

Stacy took on a project in her community of Holland Point, in the southern most part of the County. She planted 20 trees across a community lot to increase the canopy cover and wildlife value of the area, recruiting an enthusiastic group of volunteers to help out on the Veteran’s Day planting event.

Diane Hill

Project: Tree planting
Location: Coventry 2 Community (Crofton) and Baldwin Hills Swim Club (Millersville)

Diane utilized her position as a leader on her community HOA to plant 14 trees in Coventry in Crofton and 2 trees at the Baldwin Hills Swim Club. She also worked with county officials to approve 18 additional trees that will be planted by a contractor in the same community, on an adjacent county owned floodplain.

Jeanne Martin

Project: Invasive removal and conservation landscape planting
Location: Cape St. Claire (Annapolis) ⬝ Magothy River Watershed

Jeanne and her community removed almost 1100 square feet of invasive species at their community boat launch in Cape St. Claire. She then organized a tree planting of 20 native trees and over 800 native sedges to stabilize the bank along the boat launch’s parking lot. 

Jim MacNicholl

Project: Community tree planting
Location: Community Library (Crofton) ⬝ Little Patuxent Watershed

Jim partnered with the Crofton Library Branch to organize and implement a community led planting event. Over 40 volunteers learned about the benefits of native trees, then planted 20 on the grounds of the library.

Nancy Evans

Project: Invasive removal and native plant installation
Location: St. Anne’s Cemetery (Annapolis) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Nancy teamed up with a congregational group to remove almost 4500 square feet of invasive species at the historic St. Anne’s Cemetery in Annapolis. She then worked to install almost 200 native plants that will become a centerpiece for the cemetery’s new columbarium.

Marie Del Bianco

Project: Invasive removal and native plant installation
Location: Loch Haven (Edgewater) ⬝ South River Watershed

Marie engaged her community of Loch Haven in Edgewater to remove over 2000 square feet of invasive species from a community shoreline. She then worked to install over 400 native plants to stabilize the area.

Elizabeth Ley

Project: English Ivy removal
Location: Witherinsea (Riva) ⬝ South River Watershed

Liz engaged her community of Withernsea in a canopy crusade! Her capstone saved community trees from English ivy through rings of life. She is also planning on planting resilient native trees through the Replant Anne Arundel Program.

Steve McKerrow

Project: Education programming
Location: Temple Beth Shalom (Arnold) ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Steve McKerrow has worked on invasive removal projects at his congregation, Temple Beth Shalom, and in his community, Admiral Heights. Steve recently became the co-leader of the Temple’s Green Team, and looks forward to initiating projects and developing educational programs for TBS in 2022.

Lauren Toomey

Project: Pollinator Pathway
Location: Across Anne Arundel County

Lauren worked to set up a Maryland Chapter of the Pollinator Pathway. She has engaged numerous partners to join the effort, presented at a wide range of venues to get the word out, and created materials and templates to help others establish pathways in their communities!

Jim Palumbo

Project: Outreach Campaign
Location: Near Annapolis SPCA ⬝ Severn River Watershed

Working with Watershed Steward Betsy Love, Jim has been planning an outreach campaign for a major restoration project that will be installed near the Annapolis SPCA, where he has volunteered for many years.  He expects to launch his grassroots campaign in 2022!

Emma Devries

Project: Education Programming
Location: Around Anne Arundel County

Emma created an educational program for the Anne Arundel Bee Keeper’s Association, “Pollinator Gardens: Regenerative Design and Maintenance Strategies.” In 2022, she will reach additional audiences, and make the slides available for other Stewards doing outreach about native plants.

Cindy & Bill Garmoe

Project: Conservation Landscape Planting
Location: Annapolis Landing (Riva) ⬝ South River Watershed

Bill and Cindy installed a 300 square foot conservation landscape to intercept overland flow at their community’s marina in Annapolis Landing. Their native perennials and shrubs will clean stormwater before it enters Beard’s Creek!

Coming Soon

Jillian Seagraves & Melissa Richardson

Jillian and Melissa are partnering to engage the community of Tanyard Shores in Glen Burnie, where they will install a rainscaping project!

Elmer Dengler

Elmer will be working to engage a nursing home in Crofton. He will install a conservation landscape to create a relaxing space for residents to appreciate the beauty and importance of natives!

Class 12's Impact

Each year, Steward Candidates complete a capstone project as part of the Certification Course. From creating activities to engage students in environmental literacy to rehabbing raingardens, Class 12 Stewards made an impact on clean water throughout the county!

Jug Bay's Rain Garden Revamp

Steward Candidate Meghan Petenbrink completed her capstone project earlier this fall. Meghan and a small but mighty group of volunteers planted over 250 native perennials in a 750 sq ft rain garden at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary!

Bringing new life to an old project

Class 12 Candidates Katrina Golladay and Jay Resnick collaborated to restore an abandoned bioretention project at the Eastport-Annapolis Library. Working with a crew of 16 volunteers, they filled nearly 180 13-gallon trash bags with invasive plants and litter before planting over 160 native perennials!

A Congregation Collaborates for clean Water

Together with 23 parish volunteers, Cathy Tengwall and Mary Smith planted 63 native shrubs at St. Andrew by the Bay. As part of the Creation Care Team, Cathy and Mary hope restoring the woodland edge will enable the parish to use the space for meditation and education.

Stormwater Success 201

Steve Miller, an experienced HOA Board President, created an advanced version of our Stormwater Success course as his capstone project. This free, three-part seminar was a brand-new resource for HOA leaders and property managers, building upon information presented in the Stormwater Success course. A dedicated group of about 15 County residents participated, now ready to navigate stormwater issues take action in their own neighborhoods!

Inspiring the next generation of Environmental Stewards

Martha Sykora connected with the Crofton Library Nature Explorers Club to teach students about the importance of birds in relation to the health of the environment. Focusing on bluebirds, Martha created activities to depict how the species is affected by the presence or absence of native plants and invasive plants, pollution from lawn products, and the benefits of conservation landscapes and trees.

Students were inspired to preserve or improve the preferred habitat for bluebirds, starting in their own backyards!

A Spooky Stormwater Solution in a Severn Subdivision

On Halloween, Rob Williams engaged his community of Millstone Village to remediate standing water issues in their neighborhood. By planting native perennials in a slow draining rain garden and nearby swale, the community will experience less standing water and fewer mosquitoes while beautifying the neighborhood!

This fall, leaf your impact on clean water!

Each year, many tons of leaves from our neighborhoods are blown or washed into local streams, clogging storm drains and releasing harmful nitrogen into the water. When leaves enter our waterways, they require 200% more oxygen to break down than on land. And, decaying leaves in our waterways block out sunlight, negatively impacting water quality and the health of aquatic life. But, you can do your part to help!

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Leaves on hard surfaces: Removing leaves from hard surfaces, like driveways and sidewalks, helps to reduce pollution and harmful algae in our waterways.

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Leaves on soft surfaces: As for the leaves in your yard and gardens, consider leaving or repurposing them to support native plants and animals. It really does make a difference!

WSA’s 3 Favorite Ways to Manage Leaves

Leave’em

If it is feasible, and not on impervious surfaces, it is best to leave your leaves on the ground! Raking up fallen leaves and sending them to the dump may be a normal autumn chore for most Americans, but this can be harmful to your local ecology and a waste of great nutrients in your lawn and garden.

Removing leaves removes wildlife habitat. Animals ranging from insects to reptiles, to even mammals rely on leaf litter for food and shelter. Important pollinators like moths and butterflies overwinter in fallen leaves.

Leaves also form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes soils as they break down; great for lawns and gardens!

If you must remove leaves from your lawn (or are afraid of smothering your grass), try these options:

Mulch’em

Based on research, mowing leaves into the lawn as they fall has been proven to improve the conditions of grass. The decomposed leaves will release nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil, the same nutrients in fertilizer typically applied in the fall. Set your mower to a 4” height and mow weekly.  Leaves shred more efficiently with residual light morning dew. Visually inspect in the spring, and you will notice a pleasant difference.

You can also move your leaves to your garden mulch beds and use them as natural mulch! After a few rainstorms, the leaves will flatten and become a dark bronze color mulch that inhibits weed growth but allows perennials to emerge in the spring.

Compost’em

If you really want to have tidy, clean lawn and garden beds, consider composting your leaves on site instead of throwing them away. Here is a great article about the best steps to compost your leaves!

Top 10 Reasons to be a leaf leader this Fall!

10. It’s good exercise

9.  Spend quality time with your kids outside

8. Make an impact in your neighborhood: lead by example and your community will follow suit

7. Keep your creek clean. Each year, tons of leaves from our communities contribute to dead zones in our waterways

6. Leaves cleared from the streets prevent injury and accidents

5. Protect your local wildlife. Insects, birds and small mammals rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material

4. Your azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons thrive with shredded organic leaf humus

3. Enhances clay or sandy soil and introduces beneficial microorganisms to the soil

2. Protects shrubs and perennials from extreme temperature changes

1. Because it’s easy, ecological and the right thing to do

A Stormwater Success!

Early this fall, Stormwater Success, a short course for Property Managers and HOA Leaders,  went digital for about 30 County residents.

The first component was  Virtual Stormwater Success, developed by WSA's Restoration Coordinator, Josh Clark, in collaboration with our partners in Anne Arundel County Government and  the professional sector. This course provided property managers and HOA leaders with tools to reduce pollution coming from their properties and address their critical concerns, such as flooding, maintaining stormwater management devices, reducing management costs, and engaging their residents to reduce pollution from pet waste, litter, and other resources. 

You can find a taste of those resources here. If you would like more information, please contact Josh at jyetterclark@aacps.org. 

As part of Virtual Stormwater Success, participants attended an “Ask the Experts” session to connect them with stormwater professionals and County officials. Through these sessions, participants were able to troubleshoot community issues and brainstorm solutions. Knowledge in hand, they went back to their communities to promote best practices for managing pollution.

After gaining a base knowledge of stormwater practices, attendees were invited to join an in person Stormwater Best Management Practices Tour. With strict social distancing and safety protocols in place, tour participants visited local stormwater best management practices ranging from small scale infiltration practices to large scale stormwater ponds. 

By including a variety of practices and properties “in action”, attendees were able to draw connections between their own communities and potential pollution solutions. 

New to the Stormwater Success family this fall was an advanced seminar for HOA leaders, Stormwater Success: 201. The brainchild of Class 12 Steward Candidate Steve Miller, Stormwater Success 201 served as Steve’s capstone project for the WSA certification course. 

A dedicated group of about 15 County residents participated in this three-hour seminar, geared toward HOA/Condominium Association Board members and Property Managers. It provided education and resources to attendees who have - or will have - responsibilities for maintaining private stormwater management systems that were built in their communities using Environmental Site Design (ESD) criteria. This included practices such as rain gardens, dry wells, wet/dry swales, bioswales, bioretention areas, and stormwater ponds. 

Participants received information on stormwater system design, maintenance schedules for the most common Best Management Practices (BMPs), how to conduct inspections during and after storm events, as well as other actions to ensure successful near- and long-term operation of the stormwater management system.

The seminar also helped HOAs estimate annual and long-term costs for maintaining systems, learn how to hire the right service providers, and request credit on HOA stormwater remediation fees. Participants gained the knowledge they need to comply with the HOA’s Inspection and Maintenance Agreement with the County and to pass the County’s triennial inspection of the HOA’s private stormwater management system. 

WSA commends Steve for his thorough and well executed course. His knowledge and experience in navigating  community stormwater issues encouraged attendees to take action in their own neighborhoods! Congratulations, Steve! 

About Steve Miller: Steve moved to Anne Arundel County in 2013 and has been actively engaged in activities that help achieve better water quality and to promote a healthy environment.  He was elected in 2014 to the first Board of Directors for the Deep Creek Village Property Owners Association and is presently serving as its president. The Association is a member of Community Associations Institute and its management company is Associa Select Community Services. 

He is also a board member on the Broadneck Council of Communities and a member of the Growth Action Network, Arnold Preservation Council and the Magothy River Association.  Steve is serving as one of the first appointed members of the Anne Arundel County Citizens Environmental Commission and participated in the County’s Stormwater Workgroup.

You can review Steve’s presentations here. If you have specific questions about Stormwater Success 201, contact Steve Miller at millerstevej2010@gmail.com