February 15, 2024
Bay Loving Landscapes: Habitat over Habit!
Arundel Rivers Federation and the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) are excited to announce Bay Loving Landscapes, a collaborative program to help communities and homeowners in the South, West, and Rhode watersheds make their lawns more river-friendly.
Through the Bay Loving Landscapes program, Watershed Stewards from WSA will use their expertise to offer suggested site plans to homeowners and communities seeking to plant natives, support pollinators and birds, or convert their lawn to native meadow. Arundel Rivers Federation will, then make it happen, guiding homeowners in implementing the suggestions from the Stewards. Thanks to generous funding from the Schumann Foundation, Arundel Rivers will be able to purchase up to $500 worth of plant material for program participants.
Lawns are ingrained in our culture; for many of us, a weekly mow is not just a chore but a habit. We know that this is a major drain on our personal time and resources. Between the 1-inch grass, mower gas, and excessive fertilizer, lawns contribute far more to our environmental challenges than they do to our environment.
If you’re ready to rethink your lawn or your community green space and choose habitat over habit– email [email protected] to sign up for a site visit. Arundel Rivers and Watershed Stewards Academy are here to help you strike the right balance of a Bay-loving, pollinator-friendly yard that still fits your lifestyle.
Here are just a few links top our favorite resources:
Native Plants:
Conservation Plants for the Chesapeake (U.S. Fish and Wildlife)
Native Plants of the Chesapeake (Native Plant Center)
Recommended Plants (University of Maryland Extension)
Garden Guides:
Guidebook for planting in the Critical Area (Md Dept. of Natural Resources)
From Your Backyard to the Bay (Watershed Stewards Academy)