You may be aware of our partnership with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to offer the MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Small Grants Program, we last gave the community an update on our plans to move forward during the global pandemic.
We extended that previous program year through the fall of 2020, and we are continuing to work with grantees getting their projects in the ground and to process their reimbursements.
We signaled plans to open the next round in the fall of 2020 and will be opening the Round virtually, accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Online resources have been developed replacing the need for in-person orientations which were previously required. It is our hope that not only will this provide a safe path forward as we navigate very different circumstances in 2020 and 2021, but that these resources will alleviate some of the challenges, including limited orientation spaces, the length of those orientations, as well as finding time to attend in person, for applicants in future years. We are excited about the continued growth of the program and the positive impact it has had on the environment.
Rainscaping is any combination of plantings, water features, catch basins, permeable pavement and other activities that manage stormwater as close as possible to where it falls, rather than moving it someplace else. In addition to rain gardens and bioswales, a diverse landscape that includes trees, shrubs, perennials, mulch and amended soils intercepts and disperse rain as it falls, and allows more water absorption into the soil and by plants. Generally speaking, we are trying to slow the rain down, spread it out, and finally, soak it up!
The MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Small Grants program is geared toward private residences, community organizations, schools, churches, and other landowners within the specified MSD Project Clear Rainscaping Program Area.
To learn more, or get on a list to receive updates regarding 2020-2021 information, you can sign up at the bottom of this page. And, if you have an issue signing up or for any additional inquiries, you can email rainscaping@mobot.org or call (314) 577-0202.
Additionally, our Rainscaping work continues in the Deer Creek Watershed with "Round I", which we plan to kick off in March of 2021. The Deer Creek Watershed Alliance has been facilitating a community-wide effort for over 10 years to protect and improve water quality in Deer Creek, with a focus on plant-based solutions. You can help by volunteering to assist with a rainscaping stewardship day, by installing rainscaping in your yard, or learning more about rainscaping.
To learn more about the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, see maps of the watershed, and for programmatic updates, please visit: deercreekalliance.org
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