RainScaping Newsletter
It's all about creating "Beautiful Solutions to Water Pollution!"
Homeowners and communities throughout Anne Arundel County are implementing easy-to-use RainScaping solutions to clean up our streams, creeks, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. RainScaping techniques—such as installing rain gardens, native trees and shrubs, rain barrels, and permeable pavers—are proven and widely-accepted "beautiful landscaping techniques" that effectively manage stormwater runoff at the source, while protecting natural resources and providing wildlife habitat. By RainScaping, including planting native plants that don't require fertilizers and pesticides, we will improve water quality in our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, while creating habitats full of beauty and life where local birds and butterflies will thrive!
 |
Saturday, September 19th, Chesapeake Ecology Center's Garden Open House & Native Plant Sale9 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Chesapeake Ecology Center (CEC) will hold its annual Garden Open House and Native Plant Sale, and all are invited to this free event at 245 Clay Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Whole Foods Market will generously donate refreshments. Master Gardeners will lead guided tours of the 24+ Native Plant Demonstration Gardens and Sites, including eight rain gardens, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and Noon. A variety of native perennials, in sizes ranging from plugs to quart and gallon sizes, as well as a limited selection of popular native trees and shrubs, will be available. Generous assistance is also provided by Greenskeeper Environmental, Clear Ridge Nursery, and Signature Horticultural Services. In case of rain, this event will take place on Sunday, September 20th, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. For directions and information about the CEC, visit: www.ChesapeakeEcologyCenter.org.Full Article... |
 |
Sunday, September 27th, South River Federation Fish Fry2 – 6 p.m., South River Federation Fish Fry, at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Philip Merrill Center, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. At the end of each summer, South River Federation celebrates another year of restoration projects and advocacy with its annual Fish Fry. "We are all working hard to improve the water quality of the South River - but for one afternoon, we'll kick back and enjoy some good food, live music and a beautiful setting." Enjoy fresh, local fish, cooked on-site; clam chowder donated by SeaWatch International, along with Cole's famous home-made hush-puppies and fresh produce from the Eastern Shore, and cole slaw and watermelon donated by Whole Foods Market." Face painting / Fish Seining / Fish Stenciling AND MORE!! For more information about the South River Federation's annual Fish Fry, visit: www.southriverfederation.net.Full Article... |
 |
Saturday, October 24th, Make A Difference Day Rain Garden Installation9 a.m. – Noon, Make A Difference Day Rain Garden Installation. Join us for the nationwide Make A Difference Day for the installation of a new Shade Rain Garden, and for the installation of native trees and shrubs on the 10-acre Adams Academy/CEC campus at 245 Clay Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.Full Article... |
 |
Plant & Be Counted! Marylanders Plant TreesWhen it comes to decreasing our negative impact on the planet and reaping a whole litany of personal and public benefits, Maryland has an important new goal, one in which every Marylander can play an important role!
|
 |
Did you know about Anne Arundel County's Tax Credit for installing rain barrels and rain gardens?Anne Arundel County property owners who install rain barrels, rain gardens or other stormwater controls are eligible for a property-tax credit equal to 10 percent of the cost of the improvement, for five years. The deduction is capped at $10,000 over the five years. Homeowners will receive a 10 percent credit for each of the five years, for 50 percent total.Full Article... |
 |
South River Federation Constructs Rain Gardens in Beard's CreekSouth River Federation was awarded a Targeted Watershed Initiative grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2007, to reduce stormwater runoff in specific small watersheds. Beard's Creek is greatly impacted by polluted runoff and has some of the worst water quality in the South River watershed. To address this issue, South River Federation implemented the Beard's Creek Initiative. This included getting commitments from homeowners in the Beard's Creek watershed—through a River Friendly Stewardship Pledge—to agree to have small rain gardens installed on their property. To date, 11 residential rain gardens have been installed in Southdown Shores, Edgewater Beach Shady Section, and Annapolis Landing. To learn more about this program, visit: www.southriverfederation.net/index.php/restoration/rain-gardens.Full Article... |
 |
Will you spend $10 on your home to protect the Chesapeake Bay?If a downspout from your gutter aims rain water from your roof down your driveway, you can make a simple change for significant improvement of the health of local waterways and the Bay! The water flowing from your driveway runs off into the street -- picking up automobile petroleum products and heavy metals, lawn fertilizers and chemicals, pet waste and trash -- then into the storm drain and unfiltered to your local waterway and to the Bay. The rain water flows downstream, eroding banks and adding sediment to runoff, destroying habitat and creating "dead zones" in the Bay. The amount of rainwater you retain on your property -- as nature intended -- is the measure of what you are doing at home to help waterways and the Bay.
|
The RainScaping Campaign—an Environmental Partnership for Stormwater Runoff Solutions—currently has 38 (and growing) partners, all with a common purpose of improving the health of our tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay by motivating a critical mass of residents to make RainScaping the norm in Anne Arundel County.
The campaign is supported by www.RainScaping.org, which includes information on stormwater runoff problems and solutions. To help you plan your rain garden or other conservation landscaping project, see our extensive native plant list. You'll also find calculators to help you determine the size of your rain garden, number of native plants needed, and amount of mulch needed. There is also an extensive Resources List on the Resources/Media Kit page.