Rain Gardens - Turning Yards into Stormwater Solutions

Rain is a good thing, right? Absolutely, but too much rain in the wrong place can have disastrous environmental impacts. In Seattle, every time it rains, water runs off of rooftops, driveways, roads, and other hard surfaces creating polluted stormwater. However, pollution isn't the only problem! During large rainstorms, the increased volume of stormwater can cause sewer overflows into local bodies of water or in extreme scenarios even homes and businesses. But your yard can make a big impact! Having a rain garden can divert the stormwater away from our sewer system and local waterways, add attractive landscaping, and reduce flooding.

Join Savannah Jane Duncan (RainWise Public Outreach Specialist) and Roseann Barnhill (Dirt Corps Principal & Director of Ecology and Green Infrastructure) for a presentation about:

· The impact of stormwater in metropolitan areas, like Seattle

· Local financial resources to manage your property's stormwater

· How to construct a rain garden

Roseann Barnhill, Principal & Director of Ecology and Green Infrastructure: Roseann is a plant ecologist with a background in wetland, stream restoration and horticulture. She was a founding instructor for Dirt Corps when it began as a community partnership of independent businesses in 2015. Since then, she serves as a director, instructor and designer. She enjoys the diversity of projects, the rich relationships with Dirt Corps’ partners and the joy of building beautiful spaces in our communities. You won’t find Roseann in the office very much, she’s happiest being on the water with her dogs.

Savannah Jane Duncan, RainWise Public Outreach Specialist and King County Water Quality Planner/Project Manager: Savannah Jane is a science communication specialist with a background conducting outreach for environmental management plans. Her love of community and environmental education has led her to work for Seattle's RainWise program where she is now leading outreach efforts to help local property owners manage their stormwater with rain gardens and cisterns. Formally, a Park Ranger for the National Park Service (and in need of a new headshot), her love of the outdoors keeps her busy. In her off time, you can find her soaking up as much sun as is possible in the PNW and travelling to visit friends and family around the country.

This program is in person in the Cascade Room at the Mountaineers (7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle) & live streamed via Zoom at 7:00 PM. It will be recorded for later viewing. For information on how to sign up for Zoom, please register in advance for this webinar on our event page:

https://www.wnps.org/cps-events/rain-gardens-turning-yards-into-stormwater-solutions

Stewart Wechsler, our Botanist Fellow, will host a plant ID workshops prior to this program at 6:00 PM. In addition to any plant samples the chapter botanists bring, attendees are welcome to bring in plant samples for identification.

David Hutchinson of Flora and Fauna Books will be bringing a selection of nature books of interest to our members for sale. Our chapter also has laminated Plants for Birds flipcards as well as native plant tote bags for sale.

Refreshments and door prizes provided. Public invited, admission is free

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Host or Publisher Washington Native Plant Society, Central Puget Sound Chapter