The RainScapes program offers low-cost trainings to residents of Montgomery County, MD who are interested in using their property to improve water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.  RainScapes, include rain barrels, rain gardens and conservation landscaping.

The Spring 2015 Training Calendar is almost over!  Only two classes remain, so sign up fast if you don’t want to wait until 2016.

Last Classes of the Season:  Conservation Landscaping Techniques

Workshop Dates and Times:

• Thursday, May 14, 2015, 4 – 7pm  (Course #316107) OR
• Friday, May 15, 2015, 10am – 1pm  (Course # 316100)

How to Sign Up: Sign up on Parkpass.org using the links above.

Where: Brookside Gardens, Visitors Center Adult Classroom

Fee: $13 for Friends of Brookside Gardens or $15 for non-members

About this Workshop:  Learn how conservation-based landscaping techniques can beautify your yard and neighborhood, restore native habitats, help improve the environment, and save you time and money.

PAST SPRING TRAININGS

Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop

Workshop Dates and Times:

• Friday, April 17, 2015
• Saturday, April 18, 2015

About this Workshop: Gather and store water from your rooftop and to help control the stormwater impact to your yard. Rain barrel with fittings and easy instructions provided. Remember you need a vehicle large enough to carry a 55-gallon barrel home!

Rain Garden Workshop

Workshop Dates and Times:

• Thursday, March 26, 2015
• Friday, March 27, 2015

About this Workshop: Learn to build your own rain garden! We’ll learn about siting, choosing appropriate native plants and determining soil suitability.  Your rain garden will improve our watershed’s water quality and add beauty to your home.

What is the RainScapes Program?

RainScapes is a program of Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection.

RainScapes promotes and implements projects which reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality on properties within Montgomery County, MD. The County offers technical and financial assistance (in the form of RainScapes Rewards Rebates) to encourage property owners to implement eligible RainScapes techniques on their property.

What Financial Incentives are Available?

The RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program offers rebates to property owners who install RainScapes techniques, such as those taught in these classes. This program is open to properties in Montgomery County outside the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park. The RainScapes Program is funded by the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge.

Residential properties are eligible for up to $2,500 per parcel and commercial, HOAs, multi-family, or institutional property are eligible for up to $10,000 per parcel.  Visit the website, or better yet, take one of the above classes to learn more!