Drainage, Hardscape and Planting
Design and Construct
Annapolis, MD

Client:

Private Residence

Drainage, Hardscape and Planting
Design and Construct
Annapolis, MD

Client:

Private Residence

Vernal Pool
Stormwater Management
and Habitat Creation
Design/Build
Annapolis, MD

Client/Owner:

Private Residence

Vernal Pool
Stormwater Management
and Habitat Creation
Design/Build
Annapolis, MD

Client/Owner:

Private Residence

Drainage Repairs and
Landscape/Hardscape Improvements
Design and Construction
Annapolis, MD

Client:

Private Residence

Drainage Repairs and
Landscape/Hardscape Improvements
Design and Construction
Annapolis, MD

Client:

Private Residence

Drainage Repairs and
Landscape/Hardscape Improvements
Design and Construction
Annapolis, MD

Client:

Private Residence

Drainage Repairs and
Landscape/Hardscape Improvements
Design and Construction
Annapolis, MD

Client:

Private Residence

Wetland Creation
Design and Construct
Millersville, MD

Owner:

Private Residence

Wetland Creation - Before
Design and Construct
Millersville, MD

Owner:

Private Residence

Wetland Creation - Construction
Design and Construct
Millersville, MD

Owner:

Private Residence

Wetland Creation - First growing season
Design and Construct
Millersville, MD

Owner:

Private Residence

Wetland Creation - First growing season
Design and Construct
Millersville, MD

Owner:

Private Residence

Wetland Creation - First growing season
Design and Construct
Millersville, MD

Owner:

Private Residence

Rain Garden for Class Project
Design and Stakeout
Annapolis, MD

Client/Owner:

Key School

Rain Garden for Class Project
Design and Stakeout
Annapolis, MD

Client/Owner:

Key School Students and Staff

Rain Garden for Class Project
Design and Stakeout
Annapolis, MD

Client/Owner:

Key School

Rain Garden
Grading and Planting Design
Crofton, MD

Client/Owner:

Crofton Civic Association

Rain Garden
Grading and Planting Design
Crofton, MD

Client/Owner:

Crofton Civic Association
about

I grew up playing in the local streams and woods surrounding a small college town in Allegany County, New York, in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

 

Regionally known as the Southern Tier, this northernmost extent of Appalachia lies in the Allegheny Plateau, which is geologically very distinct from the Coastal Plain that is commonly associated with the Chesapeake Bay. Its distance from my current home in Annapolis, Maryland serves to remind me of the breadth of the Chesapeake Bay and the scale of the challenges that it faces.

 

I want my kids to have the same opportunities for exploration and discovery that I had when I was a kid.

 

• • •

 

Since the beginning, I have regularly worked with environmental organizations, non-profits and faith based organizations at the grass roots level to effect positive change in the stewardship of our environment. I have dedicated many hours of pro-bono service, supporting small organizations with their stewardship efforts by drafting concept plans to submit for grant funding, preparing design documents for construction and providing on site support during construction and volunteer planting activities. In addition to being a Master Watershed Steward, I am a member of the Consortium of Support Professionals for the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA), and was instrumental in helping WSA complete the first phase of their Clean Water Communities pilot project in 2014.

 

Having operated as a sole proprietor providing design and consulting services under the name 'Cultivate' for over 9 years, it became clear that it was time for a transplant. Welspryng LLC was established to represent the full range of services that are offered. 'Welspryng' is the Old English spelling of 'wellspring', which commonly means 'an abundant resource', or 'the origin of a stream or river'..

 

- Chris Moore

posts

Underrated Native Plants – Poverty Oats

Posted: February 12, 2024

In the world of ornamental native grasses, Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) by far enjoys the most widespread use. It is highly adaptable, fills in quickly and readily propagates itself. However, it is a big grass. In larger properties with ample space it can be left to do it’s thing, but in smaller spaces, it can crowd […]

Party Animal Plant

Posted: August 27, 2023

Maryland Meadow Beauty (Rhexia mariana) Rhexia mariana is one of those plants that I discovered when developing a project plant list from a natural plant community analog. I would have otherwise never have considered it. Three years later, it has filled in quite nicely in the lower parts of the SPSC that I built where there […]

Hidden Treasure

Posted: April 27, 2023

Lately I’ve been taking the dog to what is referred to as Quiet Waters Retreat, since it is easy access from my neighborhood, and she doesn’t particularly care for the nearby dog park. It is a 19-acre property that AACo spared from private development, only to turn around with it’s own development plans. For some […]

Gravity is overrated

Posted: April 14, 2021

How water moves through soil. Not quite as intuitive as you might think. This will be on the test.

Spring peepers dispute People’s Choice Award selection

Posted: April 4, 2021

We may not have won the BUBBA’s People’s Choice, but the same can’t be said for Frog’s Choice. I have previously spotted amphibian eggs and tadpoles in the vernal pool, but tonight was the first time I actually heard the frogs, down the street, from my front door. So attached below is some video I […]

BUBBAs

2021 Best Residential Project – A Different Approach to “Fixing” Drainage

Posted: March 11, 2021

The Vernal Pool, (A Different Approach to “Fixing” Drainage) took top honors in the residential category at the 2021 BUBBAs on Wednesday, March 10th. You can read the full description of our project in our previous post: https://welspryng.llc/welspryng-selected-as-a-finalist-in-the-2021-bubbas/ But wait, there’s more! Voting is open to the public through May 24th to select the Best […]

Vernal Pool

Welspryng selected as a finalist in the 2021 BUBBAs

Posted: February 27, 2021

The Best Urban BMP in the Bay Awards contest (BUBBAs) recognizes the best practices and programs being implemented in the urban environment across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The BUBBAs shine a light on innovators in the field who are using new and creative techniques to treat runoff and restore local watersheds. The Vernal Pool (A […]

Carex lurida – a ‘Must-include’ Raingarden Plant

Posted: May 26, 2020

“At this point in my career I have probably forgotten more than I have learned, yet I still have only forgotten a fraction of what there is yet to know. One of my latest discoveries, by happy accident, is Carex lurida.”

Mow and Blow, Oh No

Posted: March 7, 2020

Not unlike certain periodic check-ups at the doctor’s office, maintenance is an often unpleasant but necessary task for maintaining the health and performance of a BMP (Best Management Practice) facility. By this time of year, maintenance contracts should be squared away and the first maintenance visits should be in the works. For many of these […]

Let’s Talk About Pipe (Yay!)

Posted: March 5, 2020

There may come a time when you need a stormwater or drainage solution that requires sub-surface drainage i.e. pipes. Two kinds of pipe are commonly used in small scale drainage projects. Corrugated plastic pipe and rigid PVC pipe are comparable in material cost but differ significantly in installation cost and reliability. Corrugated plastic pipe is […]

services

Mission Statement

 

Welspryng delivers project-specific solutions that reconcile the innate characteristics of a given landscape with the needs of the people who use it.

 

Welspryng specializes in site design and permitting, grading and drainage, stormwater management and native plants. We provide design consulting, design/build services, construction services and maintenance for landscape installations and site-scale, non-structural BMPs ranging in size from small rain gardens and outfall restorations to larger infiltration and bio-retention facilities.

 

The cornerstone of a successful project is the establishment of appropriate goals based on a clear understanding of the underlying need. One or more of the following needs are fundamental to every project. Services are tailored to meet the unique objectives of each project.

 
EXPAND USE INCREASE VALUE IMPROVE FUNCTION

Increased, additional or modified use of a site often requires advanced planning and the approval of one or more regulatory agencies, and/or review boards.

Existing and proposed site improvements are reviewed to optimize solutions that benefit stakeholders (e.g. owners, user groups).

The natural processes and biological functions that are unique to a site are identified, evaluated and enhanced.
ASSESSMENTS

Natural Resources Inventories

 

Wetland Delineations

 

Forest Stand Delineations

Value Engineering Studies - Increase R.O.I. (Return on Investment) by quantifying the value that is returned for the resources that are expended and offering alternative solutions.

Subwatershed Assessments

 

Invasive Species Inventories
PLANNING

Site Programs and Master Plans

Site Design Guidelines

Subwatershed Action Plans

 

Grant Application Support
DESIGN

Site and Landscape Design

 

Grading and Drainage

 

Stormwater Management and Retrofits

 

Natural Plant Community Research and Planting Design

 

Permitting
IMPLEMENTATION

Stormwater BMP Construction

 

Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance

Erosion and Sediment Control Plans

 

Forest Conservation Plans

 

Buffer Management Plans

Construction Feasibility Reviews

 

Construction Stakeout

Invasive Species Management

 

Habitat Creation and Enhancement
experience

Chris Moore is a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) and a Maryland licensed landscape architect with over 20 years of professional experience on projects ranging from environmental restoration to federal, municipal, cultural, institutional and residential projects. Prior to establishing himself as an independent contractor, he worked for several notable firms in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan region, including Oehme, van Sweden & Associates in Washington DC, Ayers/Saint/Gross Architects + Planners in Baltimore and Underwood & Associates in Annapolis.  Some past projects that Chris has designed and managed may be viewed HERE.

 

Native Plant Materials

  • 20+ years experience working in the Mid-Atlantic region with native plants in landscape, stormwater and restoration projects.
Regulations and Permitting
  • Management oversight of design, engineering, and permitting for shoreline restoration, stream restoration and stormwater management retrofit projects.
  • Preparation of Forest Stand Delineation/Forest Conservation Plans.
  • Non-tidal Wetland delineations.
  • Project coordination with MDE/USACE, DNR and county agencies.
Design and Construction
  • Development of community-level subwatershed action plans identifying natural resources, soils and drainage patterns to inform a comprehensive approach for addressing water quality issues and hotspots. Summarize opportunities for retrofits with associated costs.
  • Preparation of specifications, project manuals and bid documents. Project bidding, establish budgets and schedules, and prepare contracts.
  • Construction oversight, resolution of field discrepancies, manage change order requests and review/approval of applications for payment.
Public Outreach and Technical Support
  • Preparation of design plans in support of grant applications submitted on behalf of non-profit organizations (e.g. riverkeepers, community associations, faith-based organizations) seeking to secure funding for stormwater retrofit and native planting projects.
  • Demonstration and oversight of stewardship installations and/or periodic maintenance by volunteers.
Registrations/Certifications
  • Registered Landscape Architect, State of Maryland – 2001
  • Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy – 2009
  • Green Roof Professional Certification – 2013
  • Basic Wetland Delineation Certification – 2013
  • Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 Certification – 2016
  • Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 2 Design and Installation Certifications – 2023
  • Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) Certified Contractor/Salesman – 2023

We are privileged to have worked with the following organizations:

 
  • • Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc.
  • • Annapolis Roads Property Owners Association, Inc.
  • • Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy
  • • Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC
  • • Chesapeake Childrens Museum, Inc
  • • Columbia Beach Citizens Improvement Association, Inc.
  • • Crofton Civic Association, Inc.
  • • EcoGardens, LLC
  • • EnviroProjects, LLC
  • • Friends of Quiet Waters Park
  • • HD Squared Architects, LLC
  • • Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association, Inc.
  • • Howard Ecoworks, Inc.
  • • Key School Inc.
  • • Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
  • • Pines Community Improvement Association, Inc.
  • • Quiet Waters Park
  • • Round Bay Community, Inc.
  • • Severna Park Baptist Church
  • • Spa Creek Conservancy, Inc.
  • • St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
  • • Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
  • • U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Overseas Building Operations
  • • Value Management Strategies, Inc.
  • • Winchester on the Severn, Inc.
contact

If you have a site, stormwater, or stewardship need, contact us. We have the technical expertise and project experience necessary to ask the right questions and offer the right solutions.

 

p: 443.333.9612     |     129 Groh Lane, Annapolis, MD 21403     |     e: info@welspryng.llc