Learn about the importance of native plants on water quality and how you can start your very own native garden!

Join ShoreRivers Community Restoration Manager, Jennifer Vacarro, for a two-session course to learn about the importance of native plants and trees and how YOU can help improve the water quality of the Bay by adapting simple landscape practices.

  • The first session will cover the “why” of native plants. We will hear from ShoreRivers staff and a Riverkeeper about why native plants are important and how they benefit the water quality of the rivers on the Eastern Shore. We will leave this session with a better understanding of water quality and native plants. 
  • The second session will cover the “how” of native plants. In this workshop-style session, staff will share best tips to start your very own native garden including a species list and basic selection criteria. 

You will leave this course feeling empowered and ready to start your very own native garden!  Whether you want to just learn more about native plants or feel inspired to take action on your own, this course will be great for you! 

ShoreRivers is a local environmental non-profit dedicated to protecting and restoring the waterways of the Eastern Shore through science-based advocacy, restoration, outreach, and Education. Check out their website for more information and resources: https://www.shorerivers.org/river-friendly-yards

What to expect: 

In this course, you will gain an increased understanding of the importance of water quality on the watershed of the Eastern Shore. You will acquire practical knowledge about native plants and learn which ones are best suited for planting in your landscape. And you will be equipped with the tools and resources needed to start your own native garden; making this a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience.

Feedback from past courses with Jennifer: 

“Perfect sunset cruise. Guest speaker, Jennifer Vaccaro, was engaging, knowledgeable, and interesting.”

“What a wonderful evening on the water!  Enjoyed the talk with interesting, valuable information, the cruise and the food and drink. Thank you ShoreRivers and Dudley Charters!”

“The boat was a lot of fun and Jennifer, our speaker, was knowledgeable and inspiring.” 

Jennifer Klug Vacarro

Jen Vaccaro

Jennifer Vaccaro is ShoreRivers Community Restoration Manager. She leads ShoreRivers’ River-Friendly Yards and Tree Stewards programs and helps to support our strong and diverse ambassador base, mobilize grassroots behavior change, and implement collaborative restoration projects with our Eastern Shore communities. Prior to ShoreRivers, Jennifer had years of experience through her work with the Watershed Stewards Academy, Cape Conservation Corps, and her own Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farming operation. She has "roots-in-the-ground" experience with all aspects of restoration, from removing invasive species (using goats!) to designing rain gardens and planting trees. She strives to find creative and beautiful ways to integrate solutions to flooding and runoff into the landscape that have a positive impact on the people who use them, and the ecosystems that surround them.

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