Free Trees for AACo Residents through the Backyard Buffers Program

The Watershed Stewards Academy is currently offering free trees to Anne Arundel County residents through the DNR Backyard Buffers program.

 Backyard Buffers can be planted near any area where stormwater flows: near swales, near stormwater ponds, in areas that flood,  along streams, creeks, or rivers.

The seedlings are free.  If you live in an area where deer browsing is an issue, you will need to purchase tubes to protect the seedlings.  Tubes and stakes will be available from WSA at a cost of $3.00 each.  To order seedlings or tubes and stakes, visit the Watershed Stewards Academy website: www.aawsa.org

A free workshop, held at 6:00 pm on March 7 at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, will cover ground preparation, tree spacing, tree planting, tubing, staking and maintenance of your buffer.  To register for the workshop visit the Watershed Stewards Academy website: www.aawsa.org

Bundles will be available for pickup on or around March 21^st.  Pickup times and locations will be determined based upon participation.

A program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Forest Service, and the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy, the Backyard Buffer program provides homeowners free trees and shrubs to create a native woodland buffer.  A woodland buffer: enhances your landscape, creates habitat for wildlife and reduces the amount of sediment, fertilizer, and toxic materials that enter our waterways.  Deep-rooted trees and shrubs can also stabilize stream banks, protecting them from erosion.

For more information view the attached flyer, visit our website, www.aawsa.org or contact Suzanne Etgen: setgen@aacps.org or (410) -222-3822