Natural beauty, clean water, wildlife habitats: learn how you can be an environmentally responsible homeowner. The Calvert Marine Museum will host BaySmarter: A Conservation Workshop for Watershed Homeowners and Educators on Saturday, April 18, starting at 9 a.m.

This workshop, appropriate for anyone interested in being a better steward of the environment, will bring participants together with environmental experts and government representatives for a morning of conservation related discussions and activities. 

Sponsored by the Calvert and St. Mary’s County Master Gardeners and the Calvert Marine Museum, this workshop focuses on how the community can become “BaySmarter.”  During the morning there will be sessions in the auditorium on the current state of Calvert County’s watersheds, Living Shorelines as an alternative to bulkheads, and Rain Gardens. There will also be breakout sessions focusing on Critical Area guidelines, plants for living shorelines and rain gardens, nitrogen reducing septic systems, and native and invasive plants. 

In the afternoon, participants can learn about oyster gardening, watch the installation of a rain garden at the museum’s newly completed Corbin Nature Pavilion, visit a living shoreline at Asbury, or visit a Baywise yard planted by a master gardener.  There will be a rain barrel workshop at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. for $40 to cover the cost of the barrel.  Space is limited and pre-registration is required.  

The BaySmarter Workshop is free and open to the public. Registration begins at 9 a.m. For more information, visit our web site at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call Melissa McCormick at (410) 326-2042 ext. 41.