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 Rain Smart yards that make a big impact on reducing flood risk and improving water quality. We are currently offering virtual support for all Kitchener residents and in-person coaching in select neighbourhoods.
We offer various opportunities to take action in your community including:
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 Yards Consultation
We are offering on-site consultations in the areas of:
- Shoemaker Creek
- Montgomery Creek
- Along 7 road reconstruction projects throughout the city
- Check the map below to see if you are located in one of the areas we are offering free, on-site consultation to learn more about making your property Rain Smart!
- 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.
Rain Smart Workshops
Ask a Healthy Yards Advisor
Healthy Yards Advisors
Becca Robinson, Heathy Yards Advisor
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.
Nick Assad, Heathy Yards Advisor
Nick is a certified Landscape Architect and an ISA certified arborist. Nick is passionate about providing practical advice and plans for ecological system enhancements in the built environment.
Chris Morrison, Heathy Yards Advisor
ISA Certified Arborist. SOUL Certified Organic Land Care Practitioner. Fusion Landscape Professional (FLP).
Funders and Partners
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