Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Buffer Garden Project at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail! We will be planting a new garden near the existing pollinator garden located behind the Bayview Hills Community. 

This community initiative will help reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality in Fishing Creek, and create valuable habitat for pollinators and other wildlife through the planting of native gardens along the trail. Whether you are an experienced gardener or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, your participation will help make a lasting impact on our local environment. 

Please sign up if you plan to attend so we can send updates as needed! There is an October 24th rain date in the event of weather related cancelation. 

Exact location of planting area use coordinates: 38.688215, -76.543477

• Learn about:
  • -Simple ideas for managing stormwater and erosion at home
  • -How gardens with native plants protect waterways, support pollinators and beautify the landscape
  • -Our planting plans at the Railway Trail 
  • -The partnership behind the project
  •  

The Howard County Master Gardener Program would like to invite you to join us for an information session from 11AM - 12:30PM on Saturday September 26th, 2026 at our Howard County Extension Office in Columbia so that you can get acquainted with who we are, what we do, and what the application and basic training program for becoming a Master Gardener entails. 

At this session, you will get the opportunity to ask active Master Gardeners (MGs) questions about the program, the application process, and their current projects or volunteer work. We will share a short presentation covering our active projects, sites, and how our program is organized. 

If you're still interested in applying for the program, but are not able to attend on Saturday, please still indicate so on the RSVP form, linked HERE. We will share next steps with you to keep you in the loop. 

--RSVP by Tuesday September 22nd, 2026--

Alongside a Master Gardener who has created half a dozen rain gardens on his own property, learn about native plants that can thrive in various environments, and why they’re so important for the health of the Chesapeake bay!

Brighten your home with the spectacular blooms of amaryllis while learning how to enjoy these stunning plants year after year. This informative class will cover everything you need to know about caring for amaryllis, encouraging reliable reblooming, and keeping your bulbs healthy for many seasons of beautiful flowers.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by November 5, 2026.

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

Discover the fascinating world of Maryland's spiders with University of Maryland Extension Educator Emily Zobel. This engaging presentation will explore the diversity, behavior, and ecological importance of these often-misunderstood creatures while helping you distinguish fact from fiction. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, gardener, or simply curious about the wildlife around you, you'll leave with a new appreciation for some of Maryland's most remarkable eight-legged neighbors.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by October 1, 2026.

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.

Create a beautiful landscape that benefits both your property and the Chesapeake Bay. Join us to discover the principles of Bay-Wise landscaping, including sustainable gardening practices that conserve water, reduce runoff, support pollinators, and promote healthy soils. Whether you're starting a new garden or enhancing an existing one, you'll gain practical ideas to create an attractive, environmentally friendly landscape. Find out how we can all make a difference!

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by September 1, 2026.

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 University of Maryland Extension Educators Rachel Rhodes and Eric Buehl to learn about the different types of rain barrels, how to choose the right one for your home, and the simple steps for installing and maintaining a rain barrel. A limited number of rain barrels will be available to participants on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.  Rain Barrel available for the first 15 participants (Limited 1 per household). 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity please contact the University of Maryland Extension Office, Rachel Rhodes (410) 758-0166 or rjrhodes@umd.edu by Monday, August 31, 2026. 

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.

The Master of Extension Education features a multidisciplinary program with core courses focused on the extension principles shaping needs assessment, program development, evaluation, nonformal education, and social science research methodology as well as a suite of supportive elective courses in a variety of extension specialty areas. Graduates with Extension education experiences are prepared for dynamic careers in secondary and post-secondary education, non-profits, government, and leadership roles in enterprise.
 

Join us for Moth Night 2026 on Saturday, September 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Constitution Park, Pavilion 6, Cumberland, MD. This evening event will feature crafts, moth education, and moth watching, offering a fun opportunity for all ages to learn more about these fascinating nighttime pollinators. To register, visit https://go.umd.edu/UMEMothNight2026.