NORTHUMBERLAND—The Northern Neck Master Gardeners (NNMG) will present “The Waterfront Landscape: Stable Shorelines, Clean Water, Abundant Wildlife” at 2 p.m. October 9 at St Stephen’s Church in Heathsville.
Members of the NNMG’s Shoreline Evaluation Program (SEP) will guide attendees through landscaping choices which can protect their properties, protect the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and support the life cycles of those beneficial creatures living in gardens and along shorelines, reported Extension master gardeners coordinator Mary Beane.
Ecosystems face many challenges. Pollution of the waters of the bay has long been a major issue, said Beane. Storms of increased intensity contribute to greater erosion which in turn creates more polluting sediment. Ever-increasing development places greater strain on the natural world. Changing temperatures are forcing both vegetation and animal life to adapt or face extinction.
SEP member Susan Lindsey stresses that “In this changing world, the role of the homeowner becomes more and more significant,” said SEP member Susan Lindsay. “With judicious plant selections, waterfront property owners can strengthen their shorelines and counteract the erosive forces of water. And by keeping sediment out of the bay, we all benefit as water quality is improved, resulting in healthy marine life.”
In addition, an increased awareness of the urgent need to protect pollinators means more homeowners are focused on providing a supportive habitat for the insects that are essential to human existence, said Beane.
The presentation will include suggested plants and planting plans for the common scenarios found on our shorelines and will highlight the plants’ benefits to our local ecosystem. Some examples of these plants will be on display.
“The aim of these lists and plans is to reduce the amount of guesswork and research required by homeowners when landscaping their shorelines and to provide user-friendly guidelines for almost every situation,” said co-presenter Katherine McConnell. The presenters will be available after the program to answer individual questions.
There is no charge, but advance registration is requested.
To register, call the Virginia Cooperative Extension Lancaster County Office, 462-5780.
