...along streams or in open areas
Enhances water quality
Absorbs rainwater (reduce storm surges)
Provides habitat
Deters Canada geese
Promotes esthetics
Reduces carbon footprint
Reduces water usage
...ground cover, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, bioswales
Provides habitat for native wildlife, including pollinators, birds, etc.
Contributes to stormwater management
Improves pollution control
Aids well-being
Helps reconnect the fragmented suburban landscape
Breaks the chokehold on native plants...
Reduces nuisance plants that can destroy trees and other natives
Allows more beneficial plants to take hold
Improves storm water management
Restores habitat for native wildlife
Supports stream banks
Is one of the most ecologically valuable initiatives in the long term
Get tree rescue training through FoHR
Any business that provides signage, public access, volunteer cleanups, native plant sales, a native garden, and/or native plant training for landscaping crews…
Improves scientific literacy and use of native landscaping best-practices
Encourages workplace culture of living healthfully and conscientiously
Gives employees and customers/clients an opportunity to engage with nature
Supports local biodiversity
Helps to prevent littering on their premises
For more information, see FoHR's presentation: Lazy Gardener's Guide to Protecting Home & Habitat
Got runaway runoff? Get help.
The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) provides financial assistance and free technical advice to property owners who wish to install watershed-friendly stormwater control practices on their land. The goal is to help reduce polluted runoff and sediment getting into storm drains and streams through such interventions as rain gardens, removal of asphalt, bioswales, etc. The program has been expanded, enabling more homeowners, businesses, HOAs, churches, pools or other property owners to qualify for up to 80 percent reimbursement for approved projects. Intrigued? Contact the Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District for more information and a free site visit!
After a big rain, does your neighbor’s runoff become your basement’s problem? Do you worry about your sump pump failing during a power outage? Have today’s increasingly powerful and frequent storms got you wondering how to flood-proof your home? Now Fairfax County homeowners, HOAs, renters and places of worship are eligible to apply for financial assistance with their floodproofing and mitigation efforts through the new Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP). Funded by the County and administered by Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD), FMAP offers 50% reimbursement—up to a maximum of $5,000—for projects that protect properties from flood damage. Projects on FMAP’s Approved List of Practices are eligible for reimbursement.