Upcoming Events & News

The RainScaping Campaign is making news & getting the word out!

Check back often to learn about upcoming tours, presentations, exhibits, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.  Learn how to RainScape and meet others who are working to create "Beautiful Solutions to Water Pollution!"

1. RainScaping Campaign Partner-- Annapolis Green-- provides the most up-to-date, comprehensive listing of environmental happenings in Anne Arundel County.

2. Upcoming Classes and Events:
   
   ▪The Watershed Stewards Academy trains and supports community leaders to serve as Master Watershed Stewards in the protection, restoration and conservation of our watersheds, working to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff in Anne Arundel County. If you live in Anne Arundel County, you can make a difference in the health of our waterways.

3. If you are willing to assume an active role with a strong commitment to improving the environment and the quality of life of your community, the Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) invites you to apply to become a Master Watershed Steward. WSA is currently accepting applications through September 8, 2010. The next Certification Course will begin on Wednesday, October 13, 2010. See schedule of informational sessions and classes here.
   
   ▪Saturday, September 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the Chesapeake Ecology Center will hold its annual Garden Open House and Native Plant Sale, and all are invited to this free event. Whole Foods Market will generously donate refreshments. Master Gardeners will lead guided tours of the 30 Native Plant Demonstration Gardens and Sites, including 10 rain gardens, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and Noon. The CEC is located just minutes from downtown and the State Capital, at Adams Academy at Adams Park Middle School, 245 Clay Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. (In case of rain, this event will take place on Sunday, September 19th, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.) For more information, click here.
   
   ▪Saturday, September 25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; RainScaping Exhibit and Presentation at Annapolis Home and Remodeling Expo.
   For more information, click here.

 

Highlights from your local RainScaping Campaign:

The RainScaping Campaign--an Environmental Partnership for Stormwater Runoff Solutions--currently has 43 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 number of partners continues to grow; and we encourage non-partners to become partners. Collectively, we can make RainScaping happen!

PSAs/Ads and educational programs target urban and suburban landowners that understand the importance of rainscaping, but may need help to start rainscaping on their own. Through the efforts of the RainScaping Campaign, they will be enabled to actively participate in rainscaping activities which will result in reduced pesticide and fertilizer use, better management of pet waste and trash, and the installation of rain gardens, rain barrels, native trees and shrubs, and other "Beautiful Solutions to Water Pollution."

"Reduce Runoff—Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In," is the name of a new 9-minute video, produced by U.S. EPA's, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) . And we've borrowed the slogan for the RainScaping Campaign. We are very grateful for EPA's assistance, including their help with graphics for the campaign. See OWOW's new 9-minute video about reducing runoff online at: www.epa.gov/nps/lid.

***Check out the RainScaping Campaign's new 30-second video PSAs, which are now airing on Anne Arundel County's Public Access Station and on YouTube: