Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification

Today’s Menu: Green Infrastructure Maintenance in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
2026-07-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual/Zoom
Thursday, July 9 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly being used throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and create healthier, more resilient communities. But installing rain gardens, bioretention facilities, bioswales, and conservation landscapes is only the first step—long-term success depends on effective maintenance.
Join us for this free Today’s Menu webinar as we explore a new white paper developed by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Hirschman Water & Environment. Funded through the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this project gathered insights from practitioners across the region through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and case studies. The resulting resource examines common maintenance challenges and offers practical strategies to improve long-term performance, strengthen workforce capacity, reduce costs, and protect investments in green infrastructure. We’ll share key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for designers, property owners, contractors, municipalities, and nonprofit partners.
There is no cost for this webinar, however, if you would like to make a donation we greatly appreciate it.
1 CBLP CEU available

FOLAR Invasive Plant Management Training
2026-06-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Appomattox River Center, Petersburg, Virginia, 23803
Why remove invasive plants? They have few or no predators, while our native plants have native insects and animals that use them as food resources. In their original landscapes, plants develop adaptations to their surroundings which may become like superpowers when they are transplanted to other places in the world. These advantages over native species can cause plant takeovers – damaging our ecosystems! Want to learn more, and how you can help control invasive plants?
FOLAR is offering our first annual Invasive Plant Management Training at the Appomattox River Center in Petersburg. In this training, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and control invasive plant species. You’ll learn about the ecological impacts of invasive plants, control methods, and best practices for developing and implementing management plans.
Training Details:
August 6th, 9AM-1PM
Appomattox River Center
235 N. Market St. in Petersburg
3.5 CBLP CEUS

MNLGA Field Day at Mt Cuba Center
2026-06-18 08:00 - 14:00 | Mt. Cuba Center, 3120 Barley Mill Rd, Hockessin, DE
Join MNLGA for a day of education and demonstrations at Mt. Cuba Center, a botanical garden and conservation organization dedicated to preserving and promoting native plants of the Mid-Atlantic region.
Located in Hockessin, Delaware, Mt. Cuba Center features woodland gardens, wildflower meadows, and research programs that help gardeners and land stewards select high-performing native plants for their landscapes.
Event Details: This event has a maximum capacity of 90 attendees.
Registration: 8:00 AM
Program Begins: 8:30 AM
Event Concludes: 2:00 PM

The day includes guided tours and educational stations in the morning, followed by time to explore the gardens in the afternoon.

Station Descriptions:

Trial Garden Tour
Speaker: Sam Hoadley
Join Sam Hoadley for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Trial Garden and discover top-performing plants currently being evaluated. The tour highlights native species and cultivars from Mt. Cuba’s trials that offer both beauty and ecological value for gardens.

Haywagon Highlights Tour
Speaker: Mt. Cuba Center Educator
Enjoy a relaxing one-hour guided hayride through Mt. Cuba Center’s natural lands led by a Mt. Cuba Center educator. Take in the beautiful seasonal scenery while learning about the landscape along the way.
Living Soils Tour
Speaker: Mt. Cuba Center Educator
Discover how healthy soil supports thriving gardens on this interactive tour led by a Mt. Cuba Center educator. Learn how native plants depend on beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms, and explore ways to create healthy living soil in the garden.
Demystifying Toxic Plants Tour
Speaker: Mt. Cuba Center Educator
Explore the fascinating world of toxic plants on this guided walking tour led by a Mt. Cuba Center educator. Learn how these plants use chemical defenses, their ecological value for wildlife, and how they can be thoughtfully incorporated into gardens.

Supporting Native Bees
Speaker: Leah Brooks, Mt. Cuba Center Educator
Learn why native bees are essential to healthy ecosystems and agriculture in this engaging lecture with Mt. Cuba Center educator Leah Brooks. Discover how planting specific shrubs and wildflowers and managing habitat can help support struggling pollinators.

3CBLP CEUS available

CBLP-Crews at the Watershed Institute
2026-06-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Watershed Institute, Pennington, New Jersey
This training is suitable for Department of Public Works crews, facilities staff, or landscape crews and leaders who maintain green infrastructure features like rain gardens, meadows, or naturalized detention basins.
This workshop provides practical training that crews can apply immediately when maintaining green infrastructure features in your town or at your facility.
In this workshop, you will learn:

How stormwater impacts local waterways
Inspection, care, and adaptive management of green stormwater infrastructure
Native plant selection and identification for BMPs
Common invasive species and management approaches
How to read, interpret, and contribute to BMP maintenance plans

Please register soon, as we have a limited number of spots! Registration ends June 10th or when class is full. If you have any questions, contact Olivia at ospildooren@thewatershed.org
This program is provided in partnership with the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Kean University, and Mercer County Community College.
5 CBLP CEUs
To register visit : https://thewatershed.doubleknot.com/event/green-infrastructure-maintenance-training-june-2026/3132686

Living Shorelines in Action: Havre de Grace
2026-06-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Havre de Grace, MD, Havre de Grace, MD
CCLC invites you to join us for a Field Day on June 4, 2026 that will focus on the Living Shoreline in Havre de Grace, MD. The tour will be led by Naomi Wright, Manager of Construction Services for the City of Havre de Grace.
Havre de Grace is a beautiful city located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River on the northern tip of the Chesapeake Bay. The Susquehanna is one of 150 rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay! The city has a wonderful river walk and a charming downtown area. Standing on the shoreline, looking out over the Susquehanna Flats at the Living Shoreline project, it’s easy to see why the green shoreline with plants swaying in the breeze is welcoming to both people and wildlife alike!
For more than 5 years, the city has been working to address flooding and erosion along Water Street. Increased flooding from storms and sea level rise threatens existing infrastructure and public health within the city’s drinking water intakes only a few hundred feet downstream from the project site. The Living Shoreline project was constructed in 3 phases. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF), with the City of Havre de Grace and their contractors, led the effort to replace failing bulkheads with a cost-effective and innovative nature-based solution. With the support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the living shoreline project resulted in the transformation from an industrial bulkhead to a natural shoreline complete with beach habitat, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, dunes and meadow grasses. This flagship project is a model that NWF will use in other vulnerable coastal communities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
The Havre de Grace Living Shoreline tour will be a wonderful way for us to tour a highly successful project.
1.5 CBLP CEUS

CBLP Crews Training – Hands-On BMP Maintenance for Landscape Teams, Frederick MD
2026-05-27 09:00 - 15:00 | Frederick, MD, Frederick, MD
Join us on May 27 in Frederick, MD for this one-day, in-person training designed for landscape crews and crew leaders responsible for stormwater BMP maintenance. This highly interactive course combines classroom instruction with field exercises to build practical skills in BMP inspection, plant identification, invasive species management, and maintenance planning.
Participants will gain real-world experience using maintenance checklists and assessing BMP performance, with tools and techniques they can apply immediately on the job.
Discounted rates for multiple participants from the same organization are as follows:
1-2 participants = $200 per person
3+ participants = $185 per person
5CBLP CEUS
Ideal for crews, contractors, and public works or facilities staff looking for focused, foundational maintenance training.

Virginia Backyard Streambank Repair Workshop
2026-05-22 09:30 - 16:30 | Dorothy Hart Center, 408 Canal Street, Fredricksburg, VA, United States
The goal of this workshop is to provide information on simple streambank erosion control techniques that landowners can implement to stabilize eroding streambanks along small streams. The workshop provides training for individuals who work with the general public on soil conservation and water quality improvement projects, including staff from Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local governments, and non-governmental environmental organizations (NGOs), as well as Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) agents, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals. The Virginia Backyard Streambank Repair (BSBR) program targets projects that do not qualify for existing agricultural programs or the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP). This workshop provides 5 continuing education contact hours and is approved for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals. While not required as part of the workshop, participants who wish to become certified for the Virginia Backyard Streambank Repair program will be required to score 70% or higher on a follow-up exam. There is no cost for the workshop, but registration is required.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement LI-00A00694 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

CBLP Crews Training – Hands-On BMP Maintenance for Landscape Teams, Chevy Chase MD
2026-05-12 09:00 - 15:00 | VA
Join us on May 12 in Chevy Chase, MD for this one-day, in-person training designed for landscape crews and crew leaders responsible for stormwater BMP maintenance. This highly interactive course combines classroom instruction with field exercises to build practical skills in BMP inspection, plant identification, invasive species management, and maintenance planning.
Participants will gain real-world experience using maintenance checklists and assessing BMP performance, with tools and techniques they can apply immediately on the job.
Discounted rates for multiple participants from the same organization are as follows:
1-2 participants = $200 per person
3+ participants = $185 per person
5CBLP CEUS
This training will be led by English- and Spanish-speaking instructors, with materials available in both languages.
Ideal for crews, contractors, and public works or facilities staff looking for focused, foundational maintenance training.

Webinar - Creating and Maintaining a Rainwater Catchment System
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual/Zoom
Learn how to manage stormwater and protect local waterways with rainwater harvesting. Discover system types, sizing, and maintenance tips for homeowners and landscape pros.
About the Live Webinar
As urbanization intensifies, stormwater challenges are becoming more frequent and severe, increasing the risk of flooding and pollution in local waterways. Collecting and storing rainwater offers a practical, site-level solution to help manage runoff and protect water quality. This webinar from Penn State Extension’s Water Team will introduce common types of rainwater harvesting systems and share practical guidance on designing, using, and maintaining an effective system for your property.
Earn Credits

1 CBLP (Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals)

Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.
A link to the recorded webinar will be emailed to registrants within ten business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.

Blue Ridge PRISM Webinar: Demystifying Herbicides
2026-04-22 11:30 - 12:30 | VA
Join Blue Ridge PRISM for this FREE online webinar which will simplify the complex world of herbicides to help you learn what you need to know to make decisions about invasive plant treatment and control on the land you steward. We’ll cut through the clutter to cover the who, what, when, where, how, and why, and provide simple, streamlined, and proven solutions for the invasive plants that you are managing. We’ll also include information on the equipment you’ll need, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), suppliers, and updated handy reference charts for your convenience. Register online.
CBLP CEUs are available

The Wildlife Value of Natives and Native Cultivars in Mt. Cuba Center’s Trial Garden
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual/Zoom
The Wildlife Value of Natives and Native Cultivars in Mt. Cuba Center’s Trial Garden
Sam Hoadley, Manager of Horticultural Research, Mt.. Cuba Center
Thursday, April 16 / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Zoom lecture (recording available)
Explore native plant species and cultivars from Mt. Cuba’s trials that make beautiful and ecologically valuable additions to your garden. Take a deep dive into the insect and pollinator observations from the concluded evaluations of Monarda, Phlox, Echinacea, wild hydrangea, Vernonia, and Solidago and get a preview of the pollinator data from ongoing trials including oakleaf hydrangeas and Pycnanthemum. In addition, get a sneak peek at the Asclepias trial which is being evaluated for both pollinator value and its capacity as a larval host plant for monarch caterpillars.
1.5 CBLP CEUs

DC Environmental Film Festival - Screening & Panel Discussion
2026-04-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Brookside Gardens’ Visitor Center Auditorium, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902
Brookside Gardens and the DC Environmental Film Festival present a screening of Gardening for the Planet, a documentary showcasing the power of native plant gardening to combat biodiversity loss and climate change. Stay for a panel of regional experts discussing native plant choices, sustainability, and conservation, and learn how you can make a difference right in your own backyard.

1.5 CBLP CEUS
Panelists:Madeline Bright, Executive Director, Earth SanghaBradley Simpson, Habitat Manager at Nature Forward and Vice President of the Maryland Native Plant SocietyDrew Asbury, Horticulturist, Brookside Gardens

Living Shoreline Volunteer Opportunity
2026-04-07 08:00 - 10:00 | VA
Do something beautiful by assisting Elizabeth River Project’s restoration team construct a living shoreline for Colley Avenue’s new Kitting Mill Creek Pocket Park in Norfolk, Virginia.
All supplies will be provided for you, though waders and muck boots are encouraged if you have them. A water bottle and sunscreen are also encouraged. NOTE: This volunteer shift may require lifting up to 50lbs
Once registered, a staff member will reach out to confirm your shift and include full location address. Volunteers will be notified at least 16 hours prior to their shift if any changes or cancellations have been made due to weather or tides.
Please register in advance.

Note: This will satisfy for the field experience requirement for CBLP-Shorelines candidates.

Cultivating Ecology: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Garden Design
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual/Zoom
Wednesday, April 1 / 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Drew Asbury, Horticulturist, Brookside Gardens
Zoom lecture (recording available)

Discover practical ways to transform your yard into a thriving, sustainable landscape. Drawing from the presenter’s own garden, this talk explores phased planning, habitat-rich garden bed design, and how to choose native plants suited to your conditions. Learn actionable strategies that increase ecological value, support wildlife, and help you move confidently toward eco-friendly gardening practices.
1.5 CBLP CEUS

Advanced Stream Repair Series, PennState Extension
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual/Zoom
Event Details
When:March 27 and April 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2026
(12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET)

Registration deadline:March 27, 2026
11:45 a.m.

About The Live Webinar
Gain a practical, start-to-finish understanding of modern stream restoration in this comprehensive webinar series. Participants will explore the causes of stream degradation, learn how to assess whether a stream is a good candidate for restoration, and examine common challenges and proven solutions. Topics include legacy sediment, dam removal, floodplain reconnection to improve water quality and aquatic habitat, and the role of large woody materials in stream valley ecosystems. The series also addresses planning, permitting, maintenance, and effective streambank stabilization in challenging locations such as road crossings, farm lanes, and pastures. The program concludes with a live panel of restoration professionals from state agencies and conservation organizations who will share field-based insights and answer audience questions.
Earn Credits
Participants attending the live sessions will be eligible for the following types of credits (pending approval 5 credits total):

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals (CBLP)
Society for Ecological Restoration’s Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP)
Landscape Architecture (LA-CES)
Professional Engineer (PDH)
Certificates of attendance are available upon request

Space is limited .
Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.
A link to the recorded webinar will be emailed to registrants within ten business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.

Who is this for?

Streamside property owners seeking help restoring degraded stream sections
Conservation professionals expanding their stream restoration knowledge
Concerned citizens interested in improving local stream health
Conservation volunteers involved in or exploring restoration projects

What will you learn?

Why streams degrade and how historical land use affects current conditions
Modern restoration techniques, site selection, and required baseline data
Legacy sediment basics, benefits of removal, and dam removal impacts
How floodplain and wetland reconnection improves water quality and habitat
The ecological role, design, and permitting considerations for strategic wood placement
Streambank stabilization methods for confined or challenging sites
How restoration affects flooding and how development influences stream systems
Ecological, water quality, and recreational benefits, plus long-term maintenance and assistance options

CBLP Level 2 Training — March 19, 20, 21 & 24, 2026 (Hybrid)
2026-03-24 08:30 - 14:00, 2026-03-21 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-20 08:30 - 14:00, 2026-03-19 08:30 - 14:00 | Hybrid
Join us for CBLP Level 2, a fast-paced, advanced training that blends three online classroom days with a hands-on natural community field day in the Washington, DC area. This session dives deep into site analysis, soil and vegetation protection during construction, natural plant communities as design inspiration, and practical stormwater BMP treatment train design and installation with a focus on long-term performance. Participants also enjoy dedicated time for networking within a supportive community of green industry professionals.
Dates
March 19, 20, 21, and 24, 2026. This is a hybrid session with 3 days online via Zoom and a field day in the Washington, DC area on March 21.
Eligibility:Applicants must have passed (or plan to complete) the Level 1 exam; highly experienced professionals may request to test out of Level 1. Application requires a brief form and a letter of recommendation verifying BMP design or installation experience.
This class qualifies for 18 CBLP CEUs

Watershed Institute Green Infrastructure Certification
2026-03-19 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Watershed Institute, Pennington, New Jersey
March 18 & 19
CBLP is pleased to partner with The Watershed Institute to bring an adapted version of the Level 1 training to professionals in New Jersey who design, install and maintain stormwater best management practices (BMPs) and conservation landscapes.
WIGI Level 1 is the foundational training for professionals seeking practical, science-based knowledge in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure. This in-person course focuses on the design, installation, and maintenance of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), combining expert-led classroom instruction with real-world, field-based learning. Participants gain critical thinking skills and a stronger understanding of how landscape practices support watershed health and ecological function.
This course is ideal for landscape architects and designers, contractors, arborists, engineers, planners, horticulturists, grounds managers, and other professionals working in landscaping, stormwater management, urban forestry, or environmental fields. Level 1 serves as the baseline credential for the WIGI program and is a valuable step for those looking to strengthen their skills, meet professional development goals, or advance toward CBLP Level 2 certification.

CBLP Level 1: Baltimore, MD
2026-03-18 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-17 09:00 - 16:00 | VA
March 17-18, Baltimore, MD
CBLP Level 1 is the foundational training for professionals seeking practical, science-based knowledge in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure. This in-person course focuses on the design, installation, and maintenance of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), combining expert-led classroom instruction with real-world, field-based learning. Participants gain critical thinking skills and a stronger understanding of how landscape practices support watershed health and ecological function.
This course is ideal for landscape architects and designers, contractors, arborists, engineers, planners, horticulturists, grounds managers, and other professionals working in landscaping, stormwater management, urban forestry, or environmental fields. Level 1 serves as the baseline credential for the CBLP program and is a valuable step for those looking to strengthen their skills, meet professional development goals, or advance toward Level 2 certification.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are offered through the American Society of Landscape Architects (LA CES), Association of Professional Landscape Designers, Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association, Delaware Urban Nutrient Managers, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.

CBLP- Level1 : Charlottesville, VA
2026-03-11 09:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-10 09:00 - 16:00 | VA
March 10-11, Charlottesville, VA
CBLP Level 1 is the foundational training for professionals seeking practical, science-based knowledge in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure. This in-person course focuses on the design, installation, and maintenance of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), combining expert-led classroom instruction with real-world, field-based learning. Participants gain critical thinking skills and a stronger understanding of how landscape practices support watershed health and ecological function.
This course is ideal for landscape architects and designers, contractors, arborists, engineers, planners, horticulturists, grounds managers, and other professionals working in landscaping, stormwater management, urban forestry, or environmental fields. Level 1 serves as the baseline credential for the CBLP program and is a valuable step for those looking to strengthen their skills, meet professional development goals, or advance toward Level 2 certification.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are offered through the American Society of Landscape Architects (LA CES), Association of Professional Landscape Designers, Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association, Delaware Urban Nutrient Managers, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.

Today’s Menu: Designing for Shade, Runoff, and Reality: Native Plants Under Solar Carports
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual/Zoom
Thursday. March 5 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Howard County is piloting native plant landscaping beneath solar carports at the East Columbia Campus to evaluate how native species perform in the unique conditions created by solar infrastructure. The project examines plant survival, growth, and maintenance under variable shade, concentrated runoff at panel drip lines, and cooler microclimates, while also assessing benefits such as erosion control, stormwater management, and pollinator habitat.
Initial plantings were installed in spring 2025, with supplemental planting added in fall 2025 to replace species that did not survive based on early observations. As a first-year pilot, the project is generating practical lessons that will inform future design, species selection, and maintenance strategies for integrating native landscapes into solar canopy installations across the county.
Julie Costantino is a Sustainability Project Manager with Howard County Government, where she manages the CleanScapes residential stormwater program and Howard County Bee City USA, the County’s pollinator conservation program. She works on countywide native plant projects and nature-based climate solutions through the County’s Climate Action Plan, with a focus on how landscapes can support watershed health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience. Julie also serves on the board of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council.
There is no cost for this webinar, however, if you would like to make a donation we greatly appreciate it.
1CBLP CEU

CBLP Level 1: Annapolis, MD
2026-03-04 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-03 09:00 - 16:00 | VA
March 3-4, Annapolis, MD
CBLP Level 1 is the foundational training for professionals seeking practical, science-based knowledge in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure. This in-person course focuses on the design, installation, and maintenance of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), combining expert-led classroom instruction with real-world, field-based learning. Participants gain critical thinking skills and a stronger understanding of how landscape practices support watershed health and ecological function.
This course is ideal for landscape architects and designers, contractors, arborists, engineers, planners, horticulturists, grounds managers, and other professionals working in landscaping, stormwater management, urban forestry, or environmental fields. Level 1 serves as the baseline credential for the CBLP program and is a valuable step for those looking to strengthen their skills, meet professional development goals, or advance toward Level 2 certification.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are offered through the American Society of Landscape Architects (LA CES), Association of Professional Landscape Designers, Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association, Delaware Urban Nutrient Managers, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Maryland Nursery Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.

Spring into Action : WSA's 15th Annual Conference
2026-02-28 08:45 - 16:45 | Maritime Conference Center, 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD, 21090
About the Conference
The Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy (AAWSA) has an exciting conference planned this year, bringing together voices and stories that matter. Speakers will explore wildlife habitat, climate optimism, the history of our local lands, and the power of raising your voice — all centered on restoring communities and protecting the waterways that connect us.
Whether you’re a Watershed Steward, stormwater professional, or simply interested in environmental restoration, this conference offers something for everyone.
Conference highlights include:

Keynote address by Jaren Hill Lockridge, Director of Partnerships, Dreaming Out Loud

Networking opportunities with hundreds of attendees, including government officials, business owners, educators, residents, community leaders, and Watershed Stewards

Vendor hall featuring local businesses, watershed organizations, government agencies, funders, and nonprofits

Funders Office Hours: one-on-one meetings with funders to discuss upcoming projects (conference registration required to sign up)

Silent auction, happy hour, and more

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available:

ISA (sign-in required at session)

Master Gardener, and Master Naturalist (self-reported)

CBLP – 5.5 CEUs

Registration Information
General Admission: $100Use promo code EARLYBIRD for $20 off (valid through 1/27)
College Students: $40Email sara@aawsa.org for ticket information
Watershed Stewards, Tree Troopers, Consortium, and Board Members will receive a promotion code by email for a special discount off general admission.
Scholarships are available for all admission categories, with applications accepted during conference registration.

Deicing Salt: The Silent Killer of Urban Trees
2026-02-27 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual/Zoom
Deicing salt—most commonly sodium chloride—is essential for winter safety in northern climates, but it can be devastating to urban trees. Each spring, roadside plants often show the effects through leaf discoloration, canopy loss, and decline, especially in dense communities where trees already face limited growing space. Because salt doesn’t break down or disappear, it accumulates in soil, damaging tree health and degrading the soil microbiome over time.
Using soil DNA sequencing, researchers found that salt-tolerant “salt-loving” bacteria dominated tree wells where trees repeatedly failed and required frequent replanting. However, a stormwater capture and release system that flushes or dilutes salt helped trees thrive for six years with no replacements, and those harmful microbes were absent. This presentation highlights practical strategies for reducing salt damage through smarter water management.
1 CEU/PDH approved by ISA, LACES, and CBLP.
Free webinar offered by Green Industry Webinar.
