The Northern Neck Master Gardeners’ (NNMG) Shoreline Evaluation Program (SEP) is celebrating 15 years of offering shoreline advisory services to the Northern Neck community. During this time, team members have evaluated 28 miles of shoreline, 1,826 acres of waterfront property, and met with 540 homeowners.

In 2009, the NNMG recognized that homeowners needed objective, science-based information when trying to make decisions regarding the protection of their shorelines from the impact of erosion and stormwater runoff. Previously, this service had been offered by scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), but budgetary cutbacks resulted in the termination of this program.

As Steve Mosier, co-chair of the shoreline program, points out, “Shoreline protection can be an expensive undertaking, and homeowners needed to have access to reliable information that included a full range of possible options.” With the support and help of Virginia Tech (VT) and VIMS, the Master Gardeners felt they could assume this role.

So began a three-year training period, as a group of MGs first qualified in the VT Advanced Master Gardener Water Steward program and then pursued additional training under the guidance of marine scientists at VIMS. At the same time, the group put together the procedures and protocols that would guide them in offering services to the general public.

2011 saw a year dedicated to refining their evaluation skills and knowledge in a pilot program that surveyed properties of some fellow Master Gardeners. The following year, SEP was officially launched.

The early days were challenging, as each property could offer new situations that required extensive research to ensure accurate and effective recommendations. As the shoreline team grew in numbers as well as in experience, the work became easier. The SEP program has been very successful, and there is normally a waiting list of homeowners for each visiting season.

“Over the past 15 years, we have streamlined our approach, honed our expertise, and made the information we offer, and the way we offer it, as user-friendly as possible,” states Mosier.

“We also offer presentations to the general public, information points at the various farmers markets and other community events, and handle questions at our weekly Help Desks at the offices of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) in Northumberland, Lancaster, and Westmoreland counties. We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to continuing to serve our communities in the years to come.”