Rain Smart Neighbourhoods
We are helping Kitchener residents beautify their yards and become more rain smart. You can play a big part in reducing community flood risk and improving water quality!
What is Rain Smart Neighbourhoods?
In partnership with the City of Kitchener, we are working with residents to create beautiful and healthy yards that make a big impact on reducing flood risk and improving water quality.
Healthy yards lead to Rain Smart Neighbourhoods, where rain water soaks into the ground instead of falling on hard surfaces and turning into runoff.
We are currently offering in-person coaching and custom community events in neighbourhoods located within priority watersheds. Let us help you plan out landscaping that makes your yard more resilient to climate change!
What can we help you with?
Rain Gardens
A shallow basin garden that holds rain water until it soaks into the ground.
Rain Water Harvesting
An efficient and low-cost way to collect water for reuse in your yard.
Infiltration Galleries
An underground water storage solution that allows water to soak into the ground.
Rain
Gardens
A shallow basin garden that holds rain water until it soaks into the ground.
Rain Water Harvesting
An efficient and low-cost way to collect water for reuse in your yard.
Infiltration Galleries
An underground water storage solution that allows water to soak into the ground.
Tree
Planting
Year-round beauty for your landscape that provides shade and absorbs rain water.
Naturalized Landscapes
A beautiful alternative to lawn that boosts biodiversity and slows rain where it falls.
Permeable Paving
A hardscaping solution that allows water to soak through and into the ground.
Naturalized Landscapes
A beautiful alternative to lawn that boosts biodiversity and slows rain where it falls.
Tree Planting
Year-round beauty for your landscape that provides shade and absorbs rain water.
Permeable Paving
A hardscaping solution that allows water to soak through and into the ground.
Healthy Yard Consultations
Submit the contact form below to request a Healthy Yards Consultation. We will be in touch within 1-2 business days to confirm your eligibility and schedule your consultation. One of our Healthy Yards Advisors will conduct the consultation to observe the flow of runoff from your property and guide you on which Rain Smart projects are best for you and how to install them.
Check out our weekly webinars!
Need help to create or maintain a beautiful and sustainable yard? We’ve got you covered. Each week our Healthy Yards Advisors will give a webinar to help you make your yard a healthy yard. Kitchener residents are welcome to attend these talks, get advice and ask questions about your yard.
The webinars are every Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sign up below to receive a Zoom link for the webinars.
July topics
How to install a rain barrel – Tuesday, July 6, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Caring for trees under stress from the LDD moth – Tuesday, July 13, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How to diagnose poor drainage in your yard – Tuesday, July 20, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Gardening in the heat – drought-resistant plants and general tips – Tuesday, July 27, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Workshops and Events
How can we work with your neighbourhood or community group?
Reducing community flood risk and improving watershed health can’t be achieved on any single property, but everyone has a role to play. We can work with your community group to educate neighbours and help create a practical plan of action that addresses multiple properties or a shared a public space. Contact us to learn more about the ways we can assist your community group!
Healthy Yards Advisors
Becca Robinson
During her tenure with Reep Green Solutions, Becca has helped over 100 property owners in Kitchener make landscape changes that are more resilient to climate change. Becca has a Masters in Landscape Architecture and a BS in Environmental Science.
Michael Albanese
Michael is a landscape consultant, designer, contractor, author, and public speaker operating under Avesi Stormwater & Landscape Solutions. His work focuses on helping people incorporate rainwater into their landscapes through ecological planting design. Currently working on the second edition to his book ‘The Modern Rain Garden’, Michael strives to be a positive influence on both the community and the environment.
Rain Smart Neighbours in Action
Residents across Kitchener are making landscape changes to reduce flood risk and improve the health of their watershed!
Funders and Partners
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