We are proud to work with Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to offer the Project Clear Rainscaping Small Grants Program which reimburses approved landowners up to $3,000 for installing rainscaping features on their property. Currently operating in the program’s fourth round (2018-19), we've seen the program double in size since it began, with more than 100 projects funded during the 2017-18 round. We are excited about the continued growth of the program and the impact it has had on the environment.
In the 2018-19 Round, we received 90 Applications with just under $250,000 in award requests. We plan to move forward with about 80 of these projects, awarding over $220,000 in rainscaping grants throughout the program area. Those applications came from a collection of over 200 landowners educated about rainscaping in the summer of 2018, along with a few from the group of over 250 oriented in the summer of 2017.
Rainscaping reclaims stormwater naturally using simple techniques to manage rainwater where it falls- the way nature intended. By lowering the amount of stormwater runoff that enters the sewer system, rainscaping has the benefit of reducing sewer overflows and improving the water quality and ecological balance of area creeks, streams, and rivers. Rainscaping can also minimize basement backups, help resolve yard ponding and erosion, reduce stormwater pollution, and support biodiversity by creating a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
The Small Grants program is ideal for private residences, community organizations, schools, churches, etc. Landowners within the specified MSD Rainscaping Program Area are eligible to apply. The program year begins with promotion in April and May, followed by June orientations. Applications are due in August and notifications begin to go out in September in advance of a fall planting season in that calendar year, followed by a planting season in the following spring. The program plans to follow a similar timeline for the 2019-20 Round, as well as utilize similar documents and materials. Feel free to visit projectclearstl.org/rainscaping to learn more about the program, see a map of the program area, and for information about planning for the 2019-20 Round.
Program Website - projectclearstl.org/rainscaping
Rainscaping Guide - mobot.org/rainscaping
Questions - email rainscaping@mobot.org or call (314) 577-0202