In September, Ocean View Christian Academy, the recipient of the Spring 2022 Mini Grant, completed their project installation. They incorporated several new techniques into an existing landscape bed to capture and utilize more rainwater in the very flood prone area that sounds the school. The features include over 60 native plants, two 350-gallon rain barrels to collect water from the downspouts, and a landscape retention wall totaling 100 linear feet.
The installation provided several engagement opportunities as well. Neighbors came out to volunteer and learn about rainwater runoff, and all of the elementary school classes at Ocean View Christian Academy incorporated the project into their lessons, learning about runoff, the environment, and how to plant pants.
The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation was one of the recipients of the Fall 2022 Retain Your Rain Mini Grant. In partnership with the Norfolk Garden Club, the Norfolk Master Gardeners, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the City of Norfolk’s Parks and Recreation, and local businesses, the ERT used grant funds to support the installation of an ecological greenway at the Jeff Robertson Park. The existing swale was graded to accommodate plantings of native trees, shrubs, and perennials to reduce the total rainwater runoff. This project beautifies a blighted area, provides an ecological corridor for our native pollinators and wildlife, and absorbs and filters stormwater runoff from the neighboring railyard and surrounding hardscapes.
A community planting day was held on Friday, October 28th. A great turn out of community volunteers, City staff, and elected officials came out and made quick work of the installation! This project enhances the ERT and serves as an example and educational resource to all who pass by on what they too can do to contribute to a more resilient Norfolk!
Thank you to these organizations for their impactful work! We love to see Retain Your Rain Grant funds put to good use to collect and utilize rainwater, enhance communities, and educate and inspire our citizens!