Carrollton Manor Residents Roll Up Their Sleeves To Reduce Erosion

Carrollton Manor neighbors and friends met at the Severn River waterfront area of Hillbottom Beach in November to reduce shoreline erosion. Led by Carrollton Manor resident Kristin Silva, 18 volunteers planted 40 trees and shrubs of native species after their community was awarded a $2,000 grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT).

While there are several benefits of prioritizing native plant species, one benefit matters most to Silva.

“A big concern of mine is the loss of pollinators," Silva said. "One-third of the food we eat relies on pollinators and we’re losing bees, birds, butterflies and so on. If we plant more native trees and plants, we will create a habitat that will be friendly for pollinators.”

In 2021, Silva completed her Master Gardener certification through the University of Maryland Extension and her Master Watershed Steward certification through the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy. She began removing invasive plant species in her neighborhood and, over time, kept noticing the erosion damage and slope area at Hillbottom Beach, one of five community properties of Carrollton Manor. After discussing further with the Carrollton Manor Improvement Association (CMIA), Silva applied for the CBT grant that awarded $2,000 to buy native trees and shrubs that will improve the slope area and attract pollinators. A longtime resident and president of CMIA, Jeff Rach, had a special interest in the project.

"I've lived here for 28 years, and we have seen many times where all of a sudden, for some unknown reason, there's a bunch of dead fish floating on top of the water," Rach said.

If dead fish in the Severn River is where it ends, the relationship between stormwater and nonporous surfaces is where it begins.

Nonporous surfaces (streets, sidewalks, roofs) are dirty. Residue from vehicles and construction chemicals accumulate until it rains, which rinses the nonporous surfaces and generates polluted stormwater. Fortunately, the roots of trees, shrubs and plants absorbing the polluted stormwater intercept its flow, act as natural filtration systems and either thwart polluted stormwater from seeping into the Chesapeake waterways or help clean it before reaching them. However, as new development and construction continues to grow, for example, these natural filtration systems decline.

According to WSA's website, "From 2013 to 2017, Anne Arundel County lost over 2,500 acres of forests, the highest rate of forest loss in any urbanized county in Maryland." With the increase of nonporous surfaces and the decrease of natural filtration systems, polluted stormwater often flows directly into waterways “under-filtered.” Moreover, chemicals from weed killers, mosquito sprays and other pesticides found in yards escalate the level of pollution as stormwater makes its journey into streams and rivers. Finally, the relationship between stormwater and nonporous surfaces often generates sudden flooding, a water volume demand that erodes shorelines and overwhelms natural filtration systems.

Silva and Rach share a passion for educating the public. Minimizing the use of pesticides in yards, as well as populating lawns with native trees and shrubs, are good places to start.

“You don’t have to get rid of your lawn completely, but do try to have more native plants,” Silva said. "… Native plants establish deep roots, absorb water quickly, prevent drainage problems, require little maintenance and come back each year."

Rach is not only grateful for the improved shoreline and water quality, but as an avid volunteer, he also encourages others to get involved in future events knowing that service work benefits the community as well as the individual.

"Big thanks to the community and to Kristin for the effort and work put into this project," Rach said. "Volunteering is a win-win. A little bit of time goes a long way for all of us … it's very gratifying.”

Carrollton Manor thanked the Anne Arundel County Forestry Board, Chesapeake Bay Trust and Watershed Stewards Academy for their support and participation in this project. To learn more, including how to get a free site assessment of your property, contact Kristin Silva at ka_silva@verizon.net.