Environment & Natural Resources

Every Marylander lives within a watershed and has a role to play in caring for the land, water, air, wildlife, and each other. Every action we take, every small positive change we make to improve water quality, soil health, and habitat counts in a big way. Learn about the actions you can take in your yard using the newly updated Bay-Wise Living Landscapes Metric.

The Patterson House and Gardens at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum completed a multi-year renovation in 2025. Join the park horticulturalist for a virtual tour of the 64 varieties of plants brought back to two formal gardens designed by pioneering female landscape architects in the 1930's.

Never buy seeds again! Come learn how to harvest, process, and preserve seeds from your favorite garden vegetables, herbs and flowers to use next year. Hands-on activities included!

Grafting allows gardeners to utilize genetic components of multiple varieties in a single plant. Come learn how to graft fruit plants such as apples, tomatoes, and more, through discussion and hands-on activities.

Join the seed-saving movement with our first annual Seed Circle Project. This year's seed choice is Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter Tomato. We will highlight this heirloom tomato and show you how to save seeds at the end of the season, so you can return dried seeds to local seed libraries or your local extension office.

Free seeds or plants will be available and the only thing that we ask is that you pass along seeds to friends, neighbors, and donate what you can back to seed libraries across Allegany and Garrett County. 🍅 Seeds will be available while supplies last in Allegany and Garrett Counties, but anyone can come to learn about tomatoes! Locations for picking up free seeds for this project will be announced in March!

A Virtual Tomato Basics Gardening Class will kick off our seed saving year on, February 23rd at 12:30pm!

Register here: https://go.umd.edu/2026SeedCircleProjectRegistration

Support AGNR's efforts to serve public good for Giving Day!

Your contribution can make a difference in our commitment to steward a healthy planet and feed & nourish communities. 

Help Terps find their superpowers as the experts, innovators, and leaders building a sustainable tomorrow. 

Give to College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Giving Day

A resident's guide for taking action for ensuring a sustainable, resilient environment.
Featuring speaker Mikaela Boley, Horticulture Educator for University of Maryland Extension, we will cover best practices for managing the landscape in Talbot County. Using the Maryland Living Landscapes Metric as a guiding tool, focusing on sustainable habits and practices that you can use in your back yard. A panel of Master Gardener Experts will be available to answer questions and provide resources. Participants will also have the opportunity to sign up for a FREE "Bay-Wise" property consultation with knowledgeable volunteers.

Registration is required due to limited space- sign up now for free! Parking is off-street and limited; please consider carpooling if possible.

If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the UMD-Talbot County Extension office at 410-822-1244 (or mboley@umd.edu) by March 14th.

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

Join the UME Master Gardeners of Baltimore County to learn the cheap & effective method of winter sowing with early-season vegetables. Take home a recycled milk jug with your seeds sowed!

Learn how to avoid the 8 common mistakes of DIY landscaping.  From planning to pruning, mistakes can be made when landscaping.  Get advice from a pro.  The more you know, the better it will go!

Learn what spring ephemerals (native and non-native) are, and how they are important early season sources of nectar and pollen for native insects. The Master Gardeners will also demonstrate techniques for seed starting over the winter and early spring that are adaptable to home and balcony gardens. Each person attending must register prior to the program.