Backyard Buffer packet reservations are typically taken during the month of March, with bags available for pickup at a designated local site in time for the spring planting season. A limited number of bags are available each year on a first-come first-served basis.
For more information on riparian forest buffers, visit
https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/publications/buffers.aspx
All bags for the 2022 season have been claimed and distributed. Check again in February 2023 to sign up for next year!
Backyard Buffer coordinator contact information by county
Please contact your county coordinator to sign up or for more information. Quantities are limited so reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Allegany County
Adam Miller
301-777-5590
adam.miller@maryland.gov
Anne Arundel County
Robert Pavlik, Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy
410-222-3831
rpavlik@AACPS.org
http://aawsa.org/backyard-buffers
Baltimore County
Rob Prenger
410-665-5820
rob.prenger@maryland.gov
Calvert County
UMD Extension Service
410-535-3662
Caroline County
Jim Harris
410-479-1623
jim.harris@maryland.gov
Carroll County
Jamie Weaver
410-848-9290
jamie.weaver@maryland.gov
Cecil County
Matt Spiroff
410-287-5777
matthew.spiroff@maryland.gov
Charles County
Kaitlyn Baligush, UMD Extension
301-539-3047
kbaligus@umd.edu
Dorchester County
Scott Daniels
410-228-1861
scott.daniels@maryland.gov
Frederick County
Sean Weaver
301-791-4010
sean.weaver@maryland.gov
Garrett County
Melissa Nash
301-334-3296
melissa.nash@maryland.gov
Harford County
Dan Lewis
410-692-5172
daniel.lewis1@maryland.gov
Howard County
James Eierdam
410-442-2080
james.eierdam@maryland.gov
Kent County
Dan Small, Washington College
410-708-4479
dsmall2@washcoll.edu
Montgomery County
James Eierdam
410-442-2080
james.eierdam@maryland.gov
Prince George’s County (Anacostia Watershed Only)
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
Anacostia@mwcog.org
Queen Anne’s County
Dan Small, Washington College
410-708-4479
dsmall2@washcoll.edu
St. Mary’s County
Nicole Basenback, UMD Extension
301-475-4484
nicoleb@umd.edu
https://extension.umd.edu/locations/st-marys-county/water-and-chesapeake-bay
Somerset County
Luke Marcek
410-651-2004
lucas.marcek@maryland.gov
Talbot County
Jim Harris
410-479-1623
jim.harris@maryland.gov
Washington County
Robert Schwartz
301-791-4733
robertr.schwartz@maryland.gov
Wicomico County
Wilfred Dyer
410-543-1950
will.dyer@maryland.gov
Worcester County
Mary Bohlen, Deputy Town Administrator, Town of Berlin
410-641-4314
mbohlen@berlinmd.gov
