Watershed Restoration Specialists

The Watershed Restoration Specialists focus their efforts in discrete regions in Maryland. The goal: to help local jurisdictions secure expertise and funding — especially from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund — to implement restoration projects that produce measurable improvements in water quality. Each specialist serves as faculty for the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program.

Eastern Shore

Jennifer Dindinger operates out of the University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland, where she has access to a range of experts on agricultural and land use issues. She is focusing her efforts on supporting watershed-scale planning and implementation of restoration projects to improve water quality in the Eastern Shore's rivers and streams.

Some examples of her projects include:

• Developing the scopes of work and managing Trust Fund projects in the Tred Avon, Middle Chester, Corsica, and Sassafras watersheds.
• Assisting several towns and communities on the Eastern Shore with identifying restoration projects and applying for grant funding.
• Facilitating the creation of additional buffers in Centreville and Queen Anne's County through the state's Natural Filters Program.

Central Maryland

Amanda Rockler works from the County Extension office in Howard County, where she is helping communities maintain and build partnerships, find and apply for funds, and locate technical assistance to improve water quality across Central Maryland.

Some examples of her projects include:

• Working with the Columbia Association, Howard County, and the University of Maryland to assess and overcome barriers to rain garden adoption using social media techniques.
• Coordinating a project for Maryland Sea Grant and Angie's List to create a series of videos for home owners on proper installation of rain gardens.
• Developing a multi-jurisdictional Watershed Stewards Program in partnership with watershed organizations in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and the District of Columbia.

Southern Maryland

Jackie Takacs has offices at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in Calvert County and St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's County and focuses her efforts on watershed planning, project implementation, and environmental education within Southern Maryland. She is working with local watershed groups, community organizations, and county, state, and federal agencies on obtaining funding and completing projects that enhance habitat and improve water quality in the region.

Some examples of her projects include:

• Implementing a rain barrel and rain garden education and outreach program for citizens of Southern Maryland.
• Obtaining funding to develop designs for a 1500-ft. living shoreline in Calvert County and a buffer management plan for a tidally-influenced embayment in St. Mary's County.
• Working with the St. Mary's Watershed Association and the Center for Watershed Protection to develop a watershed plan for the St. Mary's River.