By MG Buffy Elliott
One of the easiest ways you can support public education about the protection of our waterways starts in your own neighborhood – by having your property Bay-Wise certified. Since its inception in 1996, the Bay-Wise Program, sponsored by the University of Maryland Extension, has shined a spotlight on voluntary, ecologically sound practices residents can take to help protect the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways. Master Gardeners statewide have certified 3,024 client landscapes and 301 nonresidential landscapes over the years. A Bay-Wise certification site visit takes 1½ hours maximum, and is a fun and inspirational process.
 |
| MGs Linda Barrett, Michaela Barnes, and Carol Roman |
Take the case of a recent Bay-Wise site visit to fellow MG Michaela Barnes’ residence. MG President Linda Barrett, Bay-Wise apprentice MG Carol Roman, and I met briefly in front of the property. With the former Bay-Wise “Yardstick” metric in hand, we toured the Barnes property. Michaela explained her family’s history at the location, including the invasive plants such as English ivy (Hedera helix) and Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) that she and her husband removed years ago. Today, the Barnes property hosts more than 50 different native plants. We marveled at the pollinator garden in their sunny front yard, and the use of Packera aurea in the side yard to manage a tight property line between neighbors.
Around back, we noted their compost bins and well-fenced vegetable garden, and took in the space they use to manage and recycle fallen leaves. Michaela’s strategy for leaving the leaves (and even the leaves of some of her neighbors) means she always has rich compost to turn back into her garden. We discussed water management, from directing downspouts to divert water into flower beds to the consideration of a rain barrel. Strolling through a shady side garden with a zen vibe, we admired a clever DIY water feature created by Michaela’s husband, David, to support wildlife. Lawn practices were discussed, from mowing high with an electric mower to allowing some clover and wild violets for more diversity. Michaela talked of future projects and the decision to keep their mature Natchez crape myrtles, which fill her upstairs windows with a view of gorgeous white blooms.
After the yard tour, we sat down to methodically review each of the sections of the Bay-Wise evaluation tool. We talked about the rebranding of the evaluation tool itself, as we move from the “Yardstick” to the revised Maryland Living Landscapes Metric. Having more than met the requirements for certification, paperwork was signed and we received a small donation to cover the expenses of the sign. Back outside in the flower-filled front yard, we grabbed a quick photo with Michaela and her new sign. And, because this was a Master Gardener landscape, once the official visit was over, Michaela passed on a few native plants to her guests: lyre-leaved sage (Salvia lyrata), woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), and tall thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana). Now, doesn’t that sound like fun?
 |
| MG Michaela Barnes |
MGs who are certified as Bay-Wise have the distinction of receiving a special sign when the Bay-Wise team comes to call. Beyond certification, signage with the term “demonstration landscape” gives MGs a little more gravitas and motivation to help spread the word. As of now, 26 Montgomery County MGs have had their landscapes certified as Bay-Wise Demonstration Landscapes. We can easily double that number in a year’s time if more MGs download the metric and submit a request for a site visit. Be assured that each Bay-Wise certification visit is a no judgment zone. The site visit is all about encouragement and education, meeting people where they are.
Is your landscape Bay-Wise? The Bay-Wise program is active through the fall. A team of Bay-Wise trained MGs is standing by to add your property to our growing list.
