About CBLP

Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional (CBLP) certification

Chesapeak Conservation Landscaping Council CBLP is administered by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council.

Our Mission

The mission of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification program is to develop a voluntary, regional (that is, watershed-wide), advanced credential system and network of sustainable landscaping professionals.

We envision a Chesapeake Bay watershed in which consistently-trained landscape professionals design, install, and maintain small-scale stormwater best practices including conservation landscapes that meet state and local goals to reduce stormwater runoff, sediment, and nutrients, while benefiting residents and ecosystems.

In short, our aim is for certified professionals to produce and maintain landscapes that are attractive and work with nature to perform better for all.

Below, you may watch a short video about the CBLP certification effort.

The CBLP Initiative Will:

Develop a core set of standards and outcomes, a study guide, application, and exam for a two-level credential covering design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes.

Establish minimum qualifications and define a means for demonstrating hands-on experience.

Align the program with existing training and educational partner programs.

Develop a credential assessment process.

Test and measure all of the above through a pilot program.

Build an online database of credentialed CBLPs.

Build name recognition and promote CBLP to landscape professionals, regulatory agencies, and potential partners.

Provide credentials that are stackable with existing certifications and include a re-certification and continuing education process aligned with existing training and certifications.

Organized by a Consortium

Chesapeak Conservation Landscaping Council

University of Maryland Extension

Wetlands Watch

Virginia Habitat Partners

Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries

Sea Grant Maryland

Developed by a Steering Committee

Comprised of regional conservation landscaping, habitat, and green infrastructure experts from state and local government, NGOs, funders, Private Industry, and Education

Beth Ginter
CBLP Lead Coordinator

Shereen Hughes
CBLP Virginia Coordinator

Kate Austin
City of Lancaster, PA

Jim Edward
Chesapeake Bay Program, US EPA

Suzanne Etgen
Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy

Kelly Fleming
Moody Graham Landscape Architecture

Laurie Fox
Virginia Tech AREC

Carol Heiser
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Habitat Partners

Jeff Howe
Windridge Landscaping

Leslie Hunter-Cario
Chesapeake Horticultural Services

Abbi Huntzinger
Chesapeake Bay Trust

Christin Jolicoeur
Arlington County Department of Environmental Services