Upcoming RainScaping TV Ads/PSAs

To promote and encourage Anne Arundel County residents to implement rainscaping practices, the RainScaping Campaign is working to produce and distribute a blitz of television advertising, which will be distributed in the fall.  And we are continuing to produce and distribute print and outdoor advertising. 

To assemble footage, in May, we interviewed several people discussing a range of issues and captured several hours of action footage over two and a half days of videotaping sessions, including:

• The South River Federation and Hillsmere Shores Improvement Association installed two large bioretention areas on community property, thanks to grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Unity Gardens, and the Watershed Stewards Academy, and efforts by recent Watershed Steward Academy graduates, Kevin Green, Jennie Gundersen, and Chris Moore.  Installation took place at the Hillsmere community pool at the Corner of Phipps Lane and Great Lake Drive. Notably, the Hillsmere volunteers planted an amazing number of trees, shrubs, and perennials for these outstanding projects which will mitigate a great deal of stormwater runoff.
• On the same day, videotaping also took place at two additional locations, including site preparation for a rain garden at the home of Vince and Dena Leggett in Arundel on the Bay and work on rain gardens at the Chesapeake Ecology Center.  Master Gardeners Susan Knisely and Judy Graham lent their expertise to discuss permeable pavers and rain barrels, while Cindy Scudder, Catherine and Blaise performed a rain dance and rainscaping jingle.
• The following weekend, we videotaped the planting of the home rain garden in Arundel on the Bay.  The trees and shrubs for the rain garden were generously donated by Greenstreet Gardens.  Vince and Dena, their children and grandchildren, and several volunteers did an amazing job to install a rain barrel and rain garden.  Runoff from the rooftop of the home is collected in a rain barrel.  It then slowly drains from the rain barrel through the attached soaker hose to automatically water the rain garden as long as there's water in the rain barrel.  It’s an excellent example of using impervious surface runoff to water the landscape.
• Additionally, we videotaped a rain barrel installation at Julie Winters’ home.  Julie also lent her expertise to discuss problems with pet waste.  
• Finally, we videotaped Adams Academy students performing a simple, fun rain dance and jingle.  The students' participation will enhance the PSA/Ads, or the instructional videos, or both. 

Now the magic will happen in the editing studio over the next two months, for release in September.