Tag Archive: RainScapes
Summer is a Great Time to Plan Your RainScapes Project!
There is a temporary pause on submitting new RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program applications from August 1 – October 15, 2021. Here is what you can do to get ready
Getting rid of your lawn? Follow our plan for a beautiful garden AND happy neighbors
Making the switch to less lawn requires prep work. You can’t let the lawn go wild on its own, because it may not attract pollinators, and it certainly won’t make
Join in the Celebration – Únete a la Celebración
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week! We like to believe that every day should include awareness on how we affect our communities, rivers, stream and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. However, we realize
Day of Service – Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
Blog post by Darlene Robbins, RainScapes Planner The sky was a clear, robin’s egg blue when I met up with a group of folks dedicating their Saturday morning to
Cicada Countdown
The Cicadas are Coming! You’ve no doubt heard by now that the periodical cicada Brood X will soon make its above-ground appearance in the local landscape. As the progeny of
2020 didn’t slow down the Watershed Restoration team
Its that time of year that our office has come to love. Time to submit our annual report to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for the County’s Municipal Separate
Winter starts the new garden year
Gardeners know: when the days start to lengthen, it’s time to get back to the garden. One of the typical garden activities of winter is ordering seeds and plants. Another
Reducing Stormwater Runoff and the Use of Deicing Chemicals
Pervious Pavement: What is it? Pervious pavement is a system for reducing stormwater runoff, ensuring less pollutants enter our waterways, as well as reducing the use of deicing chemicals during
RainScapes Rewards Program Pausing for a Few Months
We want to thank all that have expressed interest in our RainScapes Rewards program this year. We have received a record number of rebate applications, and at this time need
Steps to a deeper shade of green
Several years ago, one of my friends told me I was the “greenest person she knew!” Although surprised, my “normal” is apparently not the norm. I am constantly trying to
Becoming a Beekeeper
How did I get started? I got interested in beekeeping out of a desire to make a small benefit to our yard and neighborhood. My wife and I have always
Caring for Sligo Creek Walking Tour
County Green Streets and RainScapes Rewards projects in the Sligo Park Hills neighborhood provided inspiration to representatives of local congregations who recently attended a walking tour hosted by the National
Maintenance and Inspection of Stormwater Best Management Practices
Did you know there are more than 17,000 Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Montgomery County? These stormwater BMPs protect rivers, streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay! Stormwater BMPs are
Artistic Messages of Consciousness, Community, and Clean Water
If you look closely, you will find many beautifully painted storm drains across Montgomery County with messages highlighting the importance of clean water and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. These designs
Stormwater Best Management Practices
August is water quality awareness month. At the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the Watershed Restoration Division’ entire focus is water protection year-round! The Watershed Restoration Division is
Explore County’s water quality restoration work through interactive map and learn ways to save money!
This past June, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) developed an interactive web map with dynamic infographics. The interactive map displays the County’s restoration efforts that have taken
Streams of Consciousness: Knowing Where Our Stormwater Goes
Many storm drains in Montgomery County lead straight to streams, which then feed into larger streams and rivers and eventually lead to the Chesapeake Bay. We pass these storm drains
Montgomery County celebrates the Nation’s largest estuary with Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week (June 6th-14th)
From upstate New York to southern Virginia, and West Virginia’s panhandle to eastern Delaware, June 6th-14th is a time for us to celebrate the culture, history and natural
Sustainable Plumbing Options for Your Garden
Since we are living in the age of scarce natural resources and climate change, we must make an effort to recycle, repurpose, reuse, and conserve resources. The good news is—the
Plan Now for Garden Success
With the holidays behind and the slower pace of winter taken hold, this is a great time to reflect on your garden goals for the coming year, including plans for
Watershed Restoration Division – 2019 Highlights!
The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County’s air, water and land in
Register for a spring RainScapes training course!
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
This holiday season, gift outside the box!
The act of giving is one of the best traditions of the holiday season. It builds bonds and shows your loved ones how you care for them. Unfortunately, the way
Raining Rebates! RainScapes has dramatically increased its rebate amounts
The RainScapes program is now awarding increased Rewards Rebates for residential, commercial and institutional property owners who implement efforts to help control stormwater runoff. For all pending and future RainScapes
Lands Green, Waters Clean: Butterfly and Bay Friendly Garden Tour
This free self-guided tour is open to anyone interested in seeing what butterfly and Bay-friendly gardening looks like. The tour features the Woodland Hills Home Owners Association, The City of
The Muddy Branch Alliance helps keep our waters clean – and wants to get you outside to enjoy them
Did you know that the Muddy Branch stream runs for more than 12 miles, from Gaithersburg High School all the way to the Potomac – and that almost 11 of
The Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant Program is now OPEN!
The Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant program, offered by the Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is now accepting proposals to support watershed restoration and outreach
The Montgomery County green infrastructure stormwater tour was a big success!
Chesapeake Awareness Week was the first week in June and the celebration kicked off with a Stormwater Tour! On May 31st, two busloads of landscape architects, designers, engineers, and environmental
Register for a spring RainScapes training course!
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
Investing in our community: A look at the first year of watershed grants
In 2016, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, awarded $350,000 in grants to community groups and nonprofit organizations working to improve our
My Green Montgomery’s top 5 stories of 2017
We dove into the performance data of the My Green Montgomery website and found our top 5 most read stories of 2017. What was your favorite MGM story of 2017?
DEP and MCPS team up to protect our waterways
On October 17th, fifth grade students from Strathmore Elementary School cut the ribbon to mark the officially completion of four Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) rain gardens. County Executive Isiah
The 7th annual H2O Summit is Saturday
You’re invited to the H2O Summit this Saturday in Rockville! This free event is focused on connecting residents, nonprofit organizations and government agencies together to share ideas and programs focused on
Visit DEP at PARK(ing) Day on September 15th
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proud to be part of PARK(ing) Day, which will be held this year on Friday, September 15, 2017 in Bethesda and
Nominate to the Community Leader + Stream Volunteer Awards
Montgomery County takes pride in the selfless residents, businesses, civil servants, and students who donate thousands of hours to numerous community service opportunities. Our residents make up a vast community
Grant opportunity: Funding for community watershed restoration and outreach projects
The Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce a grant program to support watershed restoration and outreach projects throughout Montgomery County. The goal of this program is promote
Plant roots meet historic roots at Pleasant View Historic Site
Each day loads of commuters hustle back and forth along Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg. They walk to and fro on the sidewalks, heading for shopping centers and nearby Quince Orchard
Beautifying Breewood: designing to create colorful gardens and improve water quality
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is focused on improving the infrastructure and landscape of communities in order to minimize the damaging effects of stormwater runoff. While stormwater
Want to green your HOA? Follow our tips for a smooth process
For those of us who live in communities with a Homeowners Association (HOA), we know that it can be a challenge to jumpstart new community projects. From the initial idea to
#AreYouBayAware? Celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week!
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmember Craig Rice will proclaim the second week in June as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week in Montgomery County. The designation is intended to increase
Making bad soil better: Decompacting and composting
Montgomery County residents are fortunate to have a fair amount of natural resources right in their own backyard. Great soil, however, is not always one of them. Heavy clay content
Time’s running out! Sign up for the fall RainScapes class
Don’t miss out on the rain garden and conservation landscaping training hosted by the County’s RainScapes program. This class, held only once or twice a year, is an opportunity to learn
Rethink your yard
Have you thought about your yard lately? I mean REALLY thought about it? Are you getting all the environmental, social and aesthetic benefits that you could from the place you
Fall is a great time for gardening, especially with natives
Learn a few new plant names, rethink the idea that “Spring is planting time” and you’ll have a fall to remember in your garden project. Contrary to conventional wisdom, autumn is not
RainScapes Professionals: Finding one (or becoming one) in Montgomery County
Designing and building a rain garden or conservation landscaping requires extra expertise than your average garden. It’s possible to do on your own, especially if you have landscaping experience, but it
Permeable pavers curb pollution (and look great too!)
Water run-off can take several forms. In more rural areas, rain and snow land on farms and carry fertilizer and other pollutants with them to local sewers and, ultimately, water ways.
Montgomery County Gardeners Go Native to Combat Excess Moisture in the Shade
Moisture is much easier to put into a yard than take out. What to do when water causes soggy ground and muddy puddles in your landscape? Native plants to the
Low-maintenance gardens save water as well as work
If you want to minimize maintenance in your garden—and save water in the process—the fundamental tenet is simple: location, location, location. Any garden can be low-maintenance. All it takes is
