NOTE: We are no longer accepting applications for the current round of funding. We encourage you to complete the form below to stay updated for future opportunities.
Interested in moving forward yourself? Here are some helpful resources as well as other funding options:
- The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay offers an overview of steps, how a rain garden works, and the components of a rain garden. This is a great place to get started before moving into more technical resources.
- The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program Manual will help you determine where the rain garden is best placed, what size it should be, and how to maintain it for optimal performance. The manual is designed to help homeowners understand eligibility criteria to receive financial assistance, but the guidelines and equations can be used for do-it-yourselfers as well.
- The Department of Forestry provides an excellent, comprehensive technical guide that includes estimated costs, sample projects around the state, maintenance schedule and much more.
- As always, there are many video tutorials online as well. Here are a view introductory ones from around the Chesapeake Bay:
Rain gardens are specially constructed gardens designed to collect stormwater runoff and filter pollutants before they reach the Rivanna River. RCA’s pilot program offers funding and technical assistance to install a rain garden on qualifying residential properties in the City of Charlottesville. Spots are limited so complete the form below today to get started.
Rain garden benefits:
- Rain gardens beautify your yard with native plants and can improve your property value
- They collect runoff from your roof, driveway, or other surfaces and reduce pollution such as fertilizer, automotive oils, and sediment
- Rain gardens can mitigate yard problems such as erosion and flooding
- They create habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies
How the program works:
- Interested homeowners should complete the form below to get started
- RCA representatives will contact you and may schedule a site visit to determine if the program is a good fit
- Selected projects will be designed with homeowner input and paid for by grants
- Installation will take place in March and April 2020 with the help of the landowner and volunteers
- RCA will provide technical assistance as needed
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us directly at info@rivannariver.org.