This informative course is designed for professionals working in areas related to land development, transportation, construction, and water quality management; regulatory personnel; extension specialists and educators; and other individuals interested in land development and environmental issues. Bioretention is a best management practice (BMP) for stormwater management that originated in Prince George's County, MD. It is an integral part of the Low Impact Development concept. This soil- and plant-based technology enhances the quality of downstream water bodies by reducing the levels of nutrients and pollutants, such as oil and grease, from stormwater through a variety of mechanisms. In addition, by temporarily storing runoff and slowly releasing treated water, bioretention also provides some control of the volume and timing of stormwater runoff. Bioretention and other low impact development practices are being used in a growing number of urban and suburban areas in MD, VA, and elsewhere on the East Coast.

This Workshop will address the various treatment processes and hydrology of bioretention, basic design principles, plant selection and planting of bioretention facilities, maintenance, special applications of bioretention, case studies of full-scale installations, and economic and regulatory aspects of implementing bioretention.  The Workshop is being organized by Dr. Jennifer G. Becker, Department of Biological Resources Engineering, and instruction will be led by experienced and recognized leaders in the area of bioretention from the University of Maryland, the Prince George's County (MD) Department of Environmental Resources, and the Low Impact Development Center.