Partner Profile
Perry Verge, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Virginia Coordinator
Image Credit: Virginia Working Landscapes
Favorite riparian plant: Elderberry! (pictured)
And Vitis riparia, though it’s not as common in the James River watershed as much as other places.
How does your work support healthy streamside ecosystems in the James River watershed?
CBLP provides training and certification for green infrastructure and conservation landscaping. We have a specific training in riparian buffers to help ensure that there is enough trained professionals to do the work required to establish and maintain buffers throughout the watershed. Our level 1 and level 2 classes also teach professionals how to slow stormwater and decrease sediment and nutrients entering our streams.
What do you love most about your work?
Meeting new, wonderful people who are so passionate about the work. I also love the way the program responds to meet the changing needs and interests of the conservation landscaping community. We started with just our level 1 course, and have grown to offer a level 2 advanced green infrastructure course, a riparian buffers course, a living shorelines course, and a meadows course (which are being offered in the next few months!)
What was your journey/career path that led you to the work you do now?
This was actually a career change for me – before this I was working in the wine industry. After working throughout the supply chain, I eventually started running my own small project. We focused heavily on farming sustainability and working with native grapes. I got a lot of great experiences in both talking with farmers and also making new connections and talking to people to get bottles into stores. Eventually I became more interested in the environmental side of things and was able to join CBLP!
What do you value most about the Consortium? How has it positively impacted your work?
We need a lot of people to do the buffer work needed to restore the watershed. The Consortium brings people together, and has put me in touch with new people looking for training.
About Perry Verge
Organization: Wetlands Watch and Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals
Title: Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Virginia Coordinator