Improving water quality through stormwater management and watershed restoration techniques, the Sea Grant Watershed Protection and Restoration Program works with local and state governments, watershed organizations, and community groups in Maryland to build partnerships, identify funding sources, and advise/assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of restoration projects. Watershed Restoration Specialists facilitate measurable reductions in water pollution in the following ways:
- Classes and workshops teach homeowners how to improve water quality in their own backyard with practices like rain barrels, rain gardens, and tree planting
- Technical Assistance Programs help communities address Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) regulations and requirements
- Watershed Restoration Projects emerge from collaborative partnerships and effective funding techniques to reduce nutrient and sediment loads
- Watershed Restoration Specialists also connect watershed science to policy makers and community leaders to make the most effective water quality decisions.
The Sea Grant Extension Watershed Protection and Restoration Program is a member of the Watershed Assistance Collaborative with Maryland Sea Grant, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Environmental Finance Center.
