RiverSmart

The Best of the Best in Urban Stormwater Practices

Hosted by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, the BUBBAs (Best Urban BMP in the Bay Awards) honor the innovation and success behind some of the Chesapeake Bay’s latest best management practices (BMPs). BMPs reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater runoff in urban areas throughout the watershed. This ensures that runoff flowing into our …

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Investing in Our Contract Partners

One of the most underrated aspects of the Alliance’s work with the RiverSmart Homes program is its potential value for small companies looking to move into green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, rain barrels and permeable pavers. By providing training and ongoing support, we enable contractors to take on new, ecologically responsible projects.

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Three “Ask Me Anything” Videos from Alliance Staff

As Alliance staff continue to work from home, we have been exploring ways to share some of our expertise in new ways. One way that we have done this is through “Ask Me Anything” Facebook Live sessions. Participants were able to take part in these virtual Q&A sessions to gain a deeper knowledge of the …

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Promoting the Use of Rain Barrels at Rooting D.C.

For the past three years the Alliance’s D.C. staff has presented at Rooting D.C., a free urban gardening forum that educates attendees about urban agriculture and local food issues. In 2019, I had the pleasure of giving a presentation on edible native plants that can be incorporated into rain gardens and BayScape gardens. These practices …

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Working Together to Strengthen DC’s Green Job Workforce

“No other city that I know of has convened a meeting like this,” expressed Andrew Moore of the National League of Cities, commenting on the DC Workforce Development and Green Jobs Roundtable that was created by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, in partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment and the National League …

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Alliance Hosts Green Infrastructure Trainings en Español!

During September, the Alliance hosted two green infrastructure trainings taught entirely in Spanish. Through key partnerships with DC’s Department of Energy and the Environment and the non-profit EcoLatinos, participants at both the rain barrel and rain garden trainings were able to leave with increased stormwater knowledge, technical know-how for the successful installation of stormwater best …

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Rain Gardens: A greener approach to landscaping

As spring has sprung, you probably have noticed homeowners sprucing up their yards with flowers and shrubs, lawns being mowed, and people spending more time enjoying the outdoors. It may bring a wonderful sense of contentment and satisfaction to feel the sun on your face and watch birds flitter in and out of the trees. …

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RiverSmart Homes Garden Parties

Join us for locally-hosted Garden Parties throughout the Hickey Run Watershed in DC! Come see what completed rain gardens and pervious pavers look like! The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has been working with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) over the last five years to install rain gardens, pervious pavement, and landscape enhancements throughout …

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Collaboration: A Key Ingredient to Reducing Stormwater Runoff

A fundamental goal of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has been to create partnerships among varying groups in a unified effort to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its waterways. This collaborative approach to restoration remains strongly rooted in the Alliance’s mission and is evident among the Alliance’s programs and projects. One such …

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Spring Forward… and Catch the Return of DC’s Bloomingdale Rebate Program!

The RiverSmart Bloomingdale Rebate program is back and better than ever! Following the success of last year’s rebate program, the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) has once again partnered with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to coordinate stormwater rebate projects on residential properties across the Bloomingdale Sewershed (land area in which the sewer …

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