About Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification

About CBLP

Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional (CBLP) certification

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC)

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.

Chesapeake Bay, Hometown Habitat

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

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC)

University of Maryland Extension

Sea Grant Maryland

Wetlands Watch

Virginia Habitat Partners

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
CCLC Executive Director

Shereen Hughes
Wetlands Watch

Kate Austin
City of Lancaster, PA

Carole Barth
PG County DOE

Josh Clark
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.

Chris Coleman
Four Seasons Landscape and Construction Services

Vinnie Cotrone
Penn State University

Jim Edward 
BayLand Design

Laurie Fox
Virginia Tech, AREC

Jeff Howe
Windridge Landscaping

Leslie Hunter-Cario
Chesapeake Horticultural Services

Christin Jolicoeur
Arlington County Department of Environmental Resources

Stephen Living
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

John McGrann
PennStone

Amanda Rockler
University of Maryland Extension

Stephen Living
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Joe Schell
DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program

Jason Swope
CBLP MD, DC, WV Coordinator

Bradley Thompson
Community College of Baltimore County

Bo Williams
Chesapeake Bay Program Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Thanks to our Funders!

Campbell Foundation

Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund

University of Maryland Extension

Prince Charitable Trusts

Virginia Environmental Endowment

Virginia Habitat Partners

Contact

Beth Ginter

Executive Director
Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

Shereen Hughes

Virginia Coordinator
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification

Jason Swope

Maryland, DC and West Virginia Coordinator
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification

Stacie McGraw

Virginia Co-Coordinator
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification

Melissa Dombrowski

Pennsylvania, Delaware Coordinator   
Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

Katie Pinkham

Program Coordinator 
Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

Mailing Address:
PO Box 3399
Silver Spring, MD 20918