Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program
Introduction
The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) program offers a range of certification and training opportunities for professionals dedicated to green infrastructure practices. Wetlands Watch helped develop this program and is the Virginia CBLP Coordinator because we noticed that nature was being used more frequently to help manage stormwater, but the design, installation, and maintenance of the installations were inconsistent. Without consistency, the ability of these practices to clean and reduce water is impaired.
The program includes two levels of certification. Level 1 provides a foundational credential in the design and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with a focus on stormwater management. Level 2 is an advanced certification for experienced professionals, covering more complex design and implementation of green infrastructure and conservation landscapes. CBLP also offers ongoing workshops and courses to help professionals earn Continuing Education Units required for recertification, ensuring they stay up to date on the latest sustainable practices.
In addition to its core certification programs, CBLP offers specialized training courses, including the CBLP-Buffers, CBLP-Crews, CBLP-Shorelines, and the CBLP-Apprenticeship (CBLP-A Program). Each program equips participants with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to contribute to conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region, with additional scholarships available for eligible professionals. Learn more below.
Here’s a video introducing the program in 2019:
Who Should Get Certified?
The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) certification is intended for a diverse group of professionals dedicated to conservation and sustainable landscape management. Eligible candidates include arborists, foresters, engineers, and professionals in green infrastructure, stormwater management, and low-impact development. Grounds managers, maintenance professionals, IPM technicians, landscape architects, designers, contractors, horticulturists, nutrient management planners, soil and environmental scientists, urban planners, and other related fields are also encouraged to seek certification.
This program equips a wide variety of professionals with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainable practices that benefit the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding ecosystems.
Two Levels of Certification
Level One Certification
The Level One certification is a foundational credential that focuses on the design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with a particular emphasis on stormwater best management practices (BMPs). This certification is ideal for professionals looking to establish a solid understanding of sustainable landscaping.
Level One certification involves a two- or three-day training class, access to online videos, webinars, and study materials, and concludes with a written exam. The course covers key topics such as how to identify, inspect, and verify a stormwater or green infrastructure practice that cleans and stores water. Instructors also talk about soil types, native plants, natural habitat, and invasive plant management.
Eligibility Requirements: Level One
To qualify for Level One certification, candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Professional work experience in landscaping or a related field
A degree or certificate in a related field of study
A professional certification that requires continuing education to maintain the credential
Level Two Certification
The Level Two certification is an advanced credential for professionals with experience in designing and/or installing conservation landscapes and green infrastructure. Participants in the Level Two Intensive Seminar will complete a residential design and implementation project. These projects focus on vegetation and soil protection, stormwater treatment, and the use of native plants.
Eligibility Requirements: Level Two
To be eligible for Level Two certification, candidates must:
Hold a Level One certification
Demonstrate experience in the design and/or installation of sustainable landscapes
Please note that highly experienced professionals may apply to test out of Level 1 and move directly to Level Two.
For More Details, Visit the CBLP Website:
Specialized Certification Courses
The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) program offers a variety of certification courses tailored to different aspects of sustainable landscape management. These courses provide certifications in the following areas:
Riparian Buffers
Living Shorelines
Conservation Landscaping for Crews
Entry-Level Fundamentals
The course teaches participants how to use site analysis tools to determine the suitability of potential projects, conduct online assessments to evaluate erosion rates and predict the impact of sea level rise, and choose the best species for planting zones. Participants also learn how to create visual site plans and graphics that comply with permitting requirements and identify construction materials and methods that reduce environmental impact. The program covers the roles of regulatory agencies, the construction process, and the development of maintenance plans to ensure the long-term success of Living Shoreline projects. This training prepares participants to manage every stage of a project, from initial planning to ongoing maintenance, making them valuable contributors to sustainable shoreline management.
Riparian Buffers Certification
The Buffers Certificate Course (course code CBLP-Buffers) offers comprehensive training in the design, implementation, and maintenance of riparian buffers. This course consists of three sessions, and combines online webinars with in-person field workshops. Participants will learn about site assessments, buffer design, invasive species management, and developing maintenance plans, which are crucial for improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Associates Certification
The Associates Certificate Course (course code CBLP-A) is designed to introduce high school aged students to the basics of green infrastructure and conservation landscaping. It provides high-quality training that paves the way for careers in green infrastructure, giving participants a solid foundation in practices that promote ecological health. The earlier we introduce young people to the challenges facing our communities, the sooner they can contribute to careers focused on developing solutions.
The course covers key topics such as soil health, native plants, stormwater management, and habitat creation, and not only equips participants with the essential skills needed to engage in conservation work, but serves as a stepping stone toward more advanced certifications and professional opportunities in the field.
Stormwater Certification for Landscape Crews
The Stormwater Certification for Landscape Crews Course (course code CBLP-Crews) is a one-day training program designed for landscape crews and crew leaders responsible for maintaining stormwater best management practices.
The curriculum equips participants with practical skills across several key areas. These include understanding the impact of stormwater on local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, performing maintenance tasks for both vegetated and non-vegetated areas, and identifying the best native plants for these systems. Participants also learn effective strategies for managing invasive species and developing maintenance plans to ensure the long-term health and functionality of best management practices.
Living Shorelines Certification
The Living Shorelines Certificate Course (course code CBLP-Shorelines) provides specialized training in the design, implementation, and maintenance of living shorelines. This course is ideal for professionals looking to expand their services to include shoreline management practices. Delivered in a hybrid format, the course combines online and classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, covering a comprehensive range of topics such as site analysis, project design, permitting, construction, and long-term maintenance of Living Shorelines. Participants also learn to develop Joint Permit Applications for projects that fall under Virginia’s General Permit 1 or 2, ensuring they are equipped to navigate regulatory requirements effectively.
