Rain Gardens: Harvesting the Heavens  [pdf]
For imaginative landscapers, rain gardens may represent the perfect marriage of heaven and earth. Specially-designed garden areas help to receive and store rainfall, using that moisture to nourish an oasis of interesting native plant communities reminiscent of lush stream banks and freshwater marshes.

Success in a Soggy Garden  [pdf]
Many homeowners are frustrated by low-lying areas in their yards which are always a bit on the soggy side. Fortunately, these wet areas can be turned into desirable landscapes which are beautiful, easy to maintain, and beneficial to the environment.  Using native or indigenous plants and a bit of creativity, you can transform mucky soils into lively gardens which will provide wildlife habitat, filter excess nutrients and pollutants from stormwater, recharge groundwater supplies, and control flooding.  Natives are essential to this reclamation of wet areas.  Over thousands of years, they have adapted to rainfall and seasonal temperature patterns; if you have a niche, they can and will fill it.
 

Native Grasses for a Naturally Elegant Landscape  [pdf]
The introduction of ornamental grasses to the American landscape is one of the defining moments in modern garden design.  These grasses, planted in clumps or large masses, recall elements of the nation's vanishing prairie, while adding sophistication and panache to even the most groomed garden.

Bald Cypress Trees Have a Thirst for Soggy Soils  [pdf]
Many homeowners are plagued by soggy or low-lying wet areas which seemingly transform suburban backyards into Cajun-friendly bayous.  Poor drainage, heavy soils, and excessive runoff from neighboring yards or roadways can make it almost impossible to grow much more than moss and alligators.  One solution to this swampy situation might be found in the bald cypress, a fast-growing, bog-friendly tree which not only thrives in moist environments, but can also sponge up and transpire many hundreds of gallons of water a day! 
 

Native Plant Nurseries [pdf]
Drawn from a variety of native plant society lists, these are reputable dealers for both retail and wholesale markets in the Metropolitan Washington area, including Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Residential Uses of LID [Low Impact Development]
Hold the mouse cursor over any colored part of the image to identify the LID technique that is being used in this setting. Click on this same area to go directly to the relevant design page.

Design of Infiltration Practices
This slide show presents basic design guidance for stormwater infiltration systems, which include infiltration trenches, shallow infiltration basins and porous pavement.

Mid-Atlantic Region Green Landscaping
EPA - Conserving Natural Resources: Roughly 30% of the water used in urban areas in the East goes to irrigate plants, mostly lawns; in the West this figure is 60%! With droughts and water restrictions becoming more common, creating gardens that don't require much watering is becoming more important than ever.

Community Watershed Assessment Handbook
The Community Watershed Assessment Handbook is a simple and straightforward watershed assessment tool that is intended to direct community groups and local governments in conducting a comprehensive environmental assessment. The purpose of the handbook is to outline a basic process for assessing your community’s current and anticipated future watershed conditions. In addition, the manual offers guidance for using the resulting assessment information as a foundation for future watershed management planning.

Low Impact Development for Schools
A new website resource for schools to use for LID and sustainable stormwater practices as part of an EPA Office of Water Assistance Agreement.