Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Ask the Alliance live talk series this season. In case you missed it, you can watch over seven hours of presentations from our staff experts! Learn more about a wide variety of topics, from recreation to stewardship in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Intro to Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is one of the most exciting ways to recreate in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It’s relaxing, it takes us to beautiful areas within our watershed, it often teaches us important lessons about the health of our local waters, and it’s easy to get started! Join the Alliance’s Communications Director, Adam Miller, for an introduction to the gear and techniques needed to enjoy your time on the water.

 

Visual Storytelling in Nature 101

Capturing both photos and videos in nature can be one of the most rewarding pastimes. It can provide you with a way to spend more time outside, connect with your local environment on a deeper level, and contribute to the conservation and preservation of the landscapes and species you love. There is an overwhelming amount of knowledge and gear that can be scary when getting started. The truth is that the best camera is the one you have with you, and some simple tips will help you get out there and find your inner nature photographer and filmmaker.

 

Converting Lawn to Native Meadow Habitat

Lawns are ubiquitous on our modern landscape, but offer little value for conservation and can contribute to stormwater issues. Many people are interested in lawn alternatives to reduce their carbon and stormwater footprints while accommodating and enjoying native flora and fauna around the house. Join Ryan Davis, Senior Forests Projects Manager, to learn about meadow ecology and how to convert areas of lawn to meadow habitat.

 

Long-Distance Kayaking

Humans have been kayaking the waterways of our planet for over 4,000 years. Join the Alliance’s Senior Green Infrastructure Projects Manager, Laura Todd, to learn about planning, preparing, and paddling long-distance in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

 

Foraging 101

Can I eat this? Join Forests Projects Coordinator, Rob Frank, as he shares introductory knowledge about foraging for wild growing food. The presentation will cover beginner mushrooms and plants as well as some species to avoid.

 

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are an important indicator of the health of our local stream. These fascinating underwater critters can be categorized by families, feeding groups, and their sensitivity to water pollution. This presentation will cover basic aquatic macroinvertebrate identification along with an overview of their feeding groups and their use in determining water quality. Join Forests Projects Coordinator, Rebecca Lauver, to get a close up look at the organisms that occupy our local streams!

 

DIY Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are a great way to infiltrate stormwater on your property to help keep your local streams clean! Join the Alliance’s Green Infrastructure Program Director, Jamie Alberti, to learn more about how to install a rain garden on your property.

 

Turtles of the Chesapeake Watershed

The Chesapeake Bay watershed is full of interesting wildlife. Turtles are some of the oldest wildlife species found in our watershed, and, in many cases, they’re impacted by humans’ effects on the environment. Join the Alliance’s Forests Projects Coordinator, Jim Kauffman, to learn more about the species and ecology of turtles found in the watershed, including ways that landowners can manage habitat on their properties to encourage the conservation of turtles and their habitat.

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