OWENSVILLE, Ohio (March 17, 2015) – If you are planning some new landscaping this spring, you may want to consider a rain garden, which can be an attractive feature that also helps manage stormwater runoff. The Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is once again offering 10 grants of $200 each to property owners who are interested in creating a rain garden.
Rain gardens are quickly growing in popularity among homeowners as a beneficial and attractive idea for landscaping. The practice is sometimes referred to as rainscaping, because rain gardens are beautiful and efficient at absorbing rain water. A typical rain garden planted with wildflowers, shrubs or trees can soak up to 30% more water than a conventional lawn. Rain gardens also help to remove pollutants in stormwater that are picked up from lawns, rooftops, driveways and parking lots.
This is the seventh year Clermont SWCD has offered rain garden grants for property owners, neighborhood associations, or businesses that are interested in creating a rain garden on their property. Along with the grant, SWCD will also guide you in the design and construction of the garden.
Anyone interested in applying for a grant should contact the Clermont SWCD at 513-732-7075, or visit the website at www.clermontswcd.org. Applications will be considered until all grants have been awarded. To be eligible, you must own property in Clermont County and attend a free rain garden workshop from 9-noon May 16 at Veterans Park in Union Township.
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(Photo above: Melody Newman, chair of the SWCD Board of Supervisors, and SWCD technician Jake Hahn plant a rain garden last spring at Union Township’s Veterans Park.)
About the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District:
Established in 1943, the district works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and farmers to control erosion, promote water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat on agricultural working lands. The district provides technical assistance, grants and cost share funding, educational programming and other resources to urban, rural and suburban landowners to help them address a diverse range of local conservation issues. For more information, visit www.clermontswcd.org or call 513-732-7075.
