Ecosystem restoration in Annapolis, MD

Want to join me in making a difference in our environment? I'm raising money to benefit the St. Luke's Restoration of Nature project, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to creating a healthy environment.

 

In 2018, 3 acres of land owned by St. Luke's Church of Eastport was restored from overgrown vines and old tires, to a coastal plain forest ecosystem. As part of my Watershed Stewards Academy Capstone Project, I am organizing a conservation planting to support the native plant habitat on this restored area. All donations go directly toward purchasing plants and materials.

On October 16th, 10-20 high-school student and adult volunteers will be working together to install over 200 native groundcover plants, berry producing shrubs and coastal plain trees.
 
Will you contribute a donation that will go directly to purchasing plants for the forest?

All donations will be matched by Rainplan , the largest stormwater incentive matchmaking platform helping property owners build green infrastructure.

 

Before the restoration effort, a large drainage pipe ran under the 3 acre parcel delivering polluted stormwater from adjacent neighborhoods and roads to Back Creek which leads into the Chesapeake Bay. There was no treatment of the water between the sources of pollution and the Bay. As part of the forest restoration, stormwater now runs through a treatment system of small creeks, pools and wetlands filtering the water before it reaches Back Creek and the Bay.

 

The result has been not only significant improvement in water quality, but also the creation of a public/private amenity where people can walk the trails, view wildlife and admire native plant ecosystems all within an urban setting. Polluted stormwater from nearby neighborhoods now has a chance to go through nature-based water quality treatment.

 

This transformative project is the first of its kind for Annapolis and it needs our support to increase it's vitality and grow into a diverse ecosystem.

 

The restored forest land is surrounded by urban development and suffers from invasive vine/plant regrowth, erosion issues from human traffic and a lack of typical plant + animal inputs you would normally find in a larger healthy ecosystem. For this reason, there is a need for volunteers to pull invasive plants out and add native vegetation on a regular basis.

 

All proceeds from this GoFundMe campaign will go directly to the church's restoration project for planting / maintenance.

 

You will be able to see the results while walking St. Luke's Restoration of Nature's forest trail which is open to the public. Check it out and support this gem of nature restoration in Annapolis!

 

If you would like to volunteer your time, please include that in a note along with your donation.

 

This project is supported by the Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy  

 

For more information about the St. Luke's Restoration of Nature, please see their Facebook  page.