Restoring the Bay....One wetland at a time
Environmental Concern is committed to improving water quality and creating, restoring, and conserving wetlands, living shorelines, and other natural habitats through education and outreach, propagation of native plant species, and professional design and installation.
Help us restore the Bay! Our founder pioneered the field of wetland restoration, and over the last 50 years, we have successfully restored more than 50 miles of shoreline in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In addition to our restoration efforts, we also educate professionals and the community and advocate for meaningful conservation initiatives.
Please consider supporting our work with a donation today!
2026 Professional Courses Announced
Register now – courses fill quickly!
Since its inception in 1972, Environmental Concern Inc. has put a premium on building the capacity of those in the wetland field (consultants, government, higher education, non-profits) through quality professional development opportunities. Unlike other wetland training centers, Environmental Concern is a working firm engaged in the work of wetlands. We are able to provide students a unique learning experience presented from the practitioner’s perspective. Environmental Concern established the nation’s first wholesale wetland plant nursery – currently growing over 100 native species, and an active restoration department engaged in cutting edge enhancement, restoration and creation initiatives. All courses are held in Easton, Maryland and various field sites in the area. Most course days are scheduled from 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Register for one or more of our professional courses below, and develop your skills through classroom presentations and hands-on fieldwork taught by wetland experts.
Environmental Concern Inc. and Coastal Resources Inc. are using their shared experience and resources to offer high-level professional training to students, practitioners and consultants.
Upcoming Classes:
Basic Wetland Delineation (October 5-9)
Evaluating Hydric Soils (October 22-23)
Eastern Shore Seed Steward Program
Our annual native seed harvest begins in summer and continues through fall. We collect seeds every year, and now you can help expand that effort from your own backyard by becoming a Seed Steward.
Learn how to identify native plants in your yard, harvest their seeds and help them grow in your own garden to be able to contribute to our Native Plant Nursery! Don’t have identifiable native plants to harvest? You can also purchase native plants from our nursery to get your own garden started. By becoming a Seed Steward, you’ll help us grow more native plants while also creating better habitat for the wildlife, butterflies and bees. Take part in wetland restoration, starting right in your own backyard.
This program is for all ages, from 4 to 94! Families, garden clubs, 4-H groups, neighbors, church groups, and communities across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are all welcome to participate. A donation of at least $10 is requested to support the program and to fund the benefits of the stewards.
As a Seed Steward, you’ll receive: Discounts on native plants, education about native plants and seed harvesting, invitations to Seed Steward appreciation events and an Eastern Shore Habitat Sign for your garden when you successfully contribute healthy, verifiable native seed.
Whether you’re harvesting a few seeds from your backyard or organizing a group to collect together, every seed helps us grow more native plants and create healthier habitats across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including our home – the Eastern Shore.
