RainScapes for Schools
RainScapes for Schools is a voluntary program where educational projects like rain gardens and conservation landscapes can be implemented on Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) property with help from volunteers and technical support from the Department of Environmental Protection. These projects both reduce stormwater pollution and provide educational opportunities for students by strengthening their connection to nature during their school day.
The RainScapes for Schools program provides consultation and materials for these curriculum based outdoor classroom projects. All MCPS schools are eligible to apply for the RainScapes for Schools program provided they agree to provide volunteer labor for the installation and maintenance of the projects and have a source of materials for the project.
In addition to the RainScapes for Schools program, MCPS high schools can apply for the RainScapes Growing Program . This program utilizes high school greenhouses for the production of plants during the second semester. This program aligns with MCPS high school horticulture curriculum and may be used as a hands on curricular piece in AP Environmental classes.
Opportunities Available:
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RainScapes for Schools (All grade levels (K-12) at Montgomery County Public Schools eligible (site and project review)
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RainScapes Growing Program (For horticulture and AP environmental science classes)
Private schools in Montgomery County interested in installing RainScapes projects and receiving a rebate should apply through our RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program for commercial and institutional properties category.
What Projects are Eligible?
Three types of natural drainage projects on school campuses will be funded through the RainScapes for Schools program:
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a garden that is designed to absorb stormwater slowly after a rainfall. It looks like a shallow depression in the ground but otherwise can blend into other planting areas.
Learn more about rain gardens.
Students can be taught lessons about the water cycle, stormwater control, and watershed health through observations and hands on learning opportunities with the rain garden. Rain gardens may also be used for habitat lessons and many other curricular applications which are outside of the science content area.
Damascus Elementary School
Conservation Landscapes
Conservation landscapes support the reestablishment of the native flora of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, reduce runoff and enhance local landscape aesthetics.
Conservation landscaping removes turf areas (the square foot area is specified in the Conservation Landscaping application) and replanting with habitat-supporting species. 75% of the plants selected should be native to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The RainScapes for Schools program will provide a list of plants suitable for conservation landscapes as well as a list of other suitable resources.
Students can be taught about the importance of the interrelationship between the people who live in watersheds and how watershed health is supported through environmental stewardship and reflected in landscapes.
Lessons pertaining to plant community composition, impacts of stormwater runoff, and the change in runoff depending on land cover are applicable to several disciplines. Many observational opportunities exist for curricular ties across the disciplines—from science to fine arts. Each of the native forest types in Montgomery County evolved with a community of plants specific to the environmental conditions of the County. These plant communities have similar growing requirements within themselves, leading to lower maintenance solutions for landscapes when you replant using a plant community conservation landscaping model.
Requirements and Funding
Each MCPS school is should do a comprehensive site evaluation prior to selecting their project using a checklist included in the Application Form (PDF, 899KB). (This form can be used as an organizer; we are not funding projects at this time). When selecting a project type, consider how it would help to meet educational goals, and also consider resources needed for first-time installation and on-going maintenance. Projects should support educational efforts and not be part of meeting a facilities requirement for on-site stormwater management.
Each project is expected to include a planting design and maintenance plan and must receive approval from the appropriate facilities management office prior to installation. A facilities form must be submitted as part of the application package.
You should document that this is a project supported by the principal, that the on-site building services personnel will be informed about this project, and that there is a school-based commitment to maintaining the project.
Planning a Successful Project
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A comprehensive site assessment to identify site conditions and determine the best site for a project
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Stated curriculum objectives to be met by the RainScapes Project
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Approval of the appropriate facilities management office as indicated on the MCPS Facilities management form. Download the approval form (PDF, 75KB)
- Support of the school principal for your files - either a document or an email (See the school agreement form example in Section 7 of the RainScapes for Schools Support Document (PDF, 378KB)
- A stated plan for implementation
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A planting plan
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A maintenance plan
How to Site Assessment
If you are interested in installing a rain garden, or a conservation landscape project through RainScapes for Schools, please review the individual project requirements. RainScapes for Schools is not funding projects but the program can provide review of proposed projects that are inteded for school sites.
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RainScapes for Schools Support Document (PDF, 378KB)
Steps to a project
Follow the three steps listed below. A more detailed set of information is provided in the RainScapes for Schools Support Document (PDF, 378KB)
STEP ONE – Prepare to do a site walk and conduct a site assessment
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Read the project type materials and obtain a base map from the school system GIS office or Google Earth. If you are unable to get mapping resources in this manner, contact RainScapes.
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Conduct a comprehensive site assessment as detailed in the RainScapes for Schools support documents (Section 1). If you need assistance, contact the DEP RainScapes office.
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The Site Assessment will include:
b. plan with a simple graphic of where you want to put a project project shown on the property. c. A proposed maintenance schedule (Sample template in support documents (Section 3)
a. "before" photo of the proposed project area - Submit your Facilities Form for Projects
- If you are interested in planting trees please contact Tree Montgomery.
STEP TWO – Before you begin installing a Project
Get approval from MCPS Facilities:
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Contact MISS UTILITY and have the project area marked prior to site inspection. Note: ask your building services manager to help you with getting utilities marked on school property.
- Make a plan to highlight your curricular points that the project will help you meet.
- Make a maintenance schedule and assign a team to conduct maintenance.
- Meet with building services to excplain project.
STEP THREE – After You Finish the Project
- Photograph the finished result.
- set up work/stewardship times for project maintenance.
- write a post / social media for your school community - you can share with mygreemontgomery@gmail.com, and RainScapes@montgomerycountymd.gov.
- Document the development of the project.
RainScapes Growing Program
The RainScapes for Schools Growing Program is a voluntary program where MCPS high school horticulture and environmental science classes are supplied with plants, pots, soil, and guidance for the educational propagation of native plants in their greenhouses. Plants are grown in the second semester.
Who is Eligible?
Any high school horticulture and/or AP environmental studies programs in Montgomery County public schools with greenhouse access are eligible for this program.
How to Apply?
Participation is by invitation based on previous participation or by a request from a teacher by March 30th, for the following academic year. Email Rainscapes@montgomerycountymd.gov for program invitation or to get more information on how the program works.
Application Deadline
All pickups are at Pope Farm Greenhouses (pick up date to be provided after application is processed and approved). Teachers are responsible for collecting their materials and coordinating with Pope Farm for pickups; details and contact information will be provided at the time of acceptance into the year's program. The RainScapes staff will pick up plants from the schools in the spring, usually before Spring Break but no later than the first week in May.
Reporting Requirements
While there is no charge to the school for the plants or growing media, a one page assessment survey of the project and at least 33% percent of the plants provided are to be provided back to RainScapes for spring planting projects by mid-spring.
The balance of plants produced is for the classes to use on community-based projects or as part of the entrepreneurial component of green job education in the horticulture curriculum such as organizing a native plant sale.
DEP Resources for Schools
How Watershed Friendly is your School?
This report card allows you to score your school grounds on a number of environmental aspects. How did your school do? What can you do to make it a better environment? Interested in doing a RainScapes for School project at your school? Contact us for more information at: rainscapes@montgomerycountymd.gov.
RainScapes for Schools Growing Program Videos
RainScapes for Schools Growing program presents - 4 part video series: 10 weeks to success with native plants – from landscape plugs to planting.- Step by step instructions on how to pot up, scout, harden off and plant native plants. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMpbRgxtGnWLYYsoZ9xxIBHVV83q5_KUi
Stormwater Management on MCPS Properties
Most MCPS schools have stormwater management features in their grounds. The types of features vary, depending on when the school was designed and what the grounds layout allowed. MCPS and DEP coordinate efforts to ensure that stormwater management practices on school properties are in good working condition, providing the water quality and water quantity benefits for our local water resources such as streams and rivers that flow to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
If you wish to find out about facilities on your school property, contact DEP.
RainScapes for Schools Report
- RainScapes for Schools Report (PDF, 3.21MB)
RainScapes for Schools have a number of goals and projects. The report on projects done by RainScapes for Schools 2010 - 2015 provides a brief overview of each project in addition to the overall accomplishments of the project.
Watershed Restoration and Watershed Health / Monitoring Links
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Watershed Monitoring: Students can learn about the health of our local watersheds and streams!
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Find Your Watershed: DEP has many resources, including a way to find out where you are in your watershed on our website!
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Watershed Health: The results of our restoration efforts are aslo found on the DEP website.
Restoration Projects:
Watershed restoration is an ongoing effort by DEP. Restoration is based on watershed studies and requires trained planners, designers, engineers and a wide range of environmental construction and biological expertise. Learn more about the process for restoration and where to find local restoration efforts on the Watershed Restoration page.
Our map shows the location of all our projects in Montgomery County. Click on the map to get more information about the process and tools used when restoring a stream, adding in storm water management to road right of ways or to modify older storm water facilities to enhance performance.
Watershed Outreach:
Are you interested in having a Department of Environmental Protection staff member participate in a school career day or provide a presentation to your class or school? Contact DEP to request a speaker.
Other Resources
- School Wildlife Garden Guide (PDF, 2.21MB)
- For Non-School Resources - Review RainScapes resources
- Green Schoolyard: District design guidelines July 2022
State and Local Curricular Requirements
RainScapes for Schools will provide materials and funds to projects which are linked to K-12 curricular goals and which will improve stormwater runoff conditions on school property.
The program supports the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources "Partnership for Children" recommendations on Environmental Literacy Goals by funding projects which provide environmental features on school properties and which can be used to teach about stormwater, water quality, native plants, wildlife habitat pollination, Bay health and other components of environmental literacy at each of the K-12 levels. Their site also includes links to BayScapes and Schoolyard habitat sites as well as the Maryland Green Ribbon Schools program.
MSDE standards: RainScapes for Schools supports the Maryland State Department of Education's Environmental Literacy Goals by funding projects which provide environmental features on school properties and which can be used to teach about stormwater, Bay health and environmental literacy at each of the K-12 levels. The eight MSDE standards cover a range of environmental concerns. The standards are interactive and focus on the need for students to develop critical thinking skills. The requirements for infusion of the environmental literacy standard by grade are detailed in the MSDE Environmental Toolkit.
The MSDE web site covers a range of environmental concerns. The standards are interactive and focus on the need for students to develop critical thinking skills. The eight standards for environmental literacy are detailed on the MSDE web site. The final standard, Sustainability, forms the other major support to the framework. Natural processes are studied through the standards relating to the life and Earth sciences. Human systems are investigated through differing geographic, cultural, societal, economic and political views. The interaction of these natural and human systems constitutes the majority of the study with the concept of sustainability as the equilibrium point, the touchstone of positive human and natural interactions.
- A Practical Guide to Planning, Constructing, and Using School Courtyards: The 103 page guide details the benefits of using outdoor classrooms as learning environments. This publication addresses the use of courtyards in instruction and provides examples of creative instructional strategies from around the state and beyond. Descriptions of materials, treatments of courtyards, safety and security implications, preferred sizes and volume of courtyard spaces, orientation considerations, maintenance strategies and code requirements are addressed as well.
Montgomery County Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools also has a number of curricular standards in their K-12 framework; one example is found in this Stream Study lesson plan. It is not necessary to install a RainScapes garden to support curricular concepts, particularly on school sites with bioretention or other Environmental Site Design / Low Impact Development planted stormwater management facilities. Environmental Education Curriculum for MCPS can be found on the Lathrop E. Smith Center website.
For schools with no ESD projects, installing a RainScapes project can provide a hands-on, renewable resource for lessons supporting subjects of environmental stewardship, habitat enhancement, and conservation. Specific lessons from the science curriculum in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades and/or the AP Environmental Science and Environmental Horticulture courses can be supported too. Other subjects such as art, English writing assignments, social studies, and biology are also able to be taught in a holistic manner using the environment as an integrated context for learning for curricular goals using the projects built with RainScapes funding.
Alignment with the Montgomery County Public Schools' Strategic Plan
RainScapes Schools projects provide an opportunity for schools to strengthen community and family relationships for their student populations. Support and maintenance for the project from year to year will typically be shared among a parent or community group and a teacher or group of teachers at a school.
Hands-on, inquiry based learning opportunities are provided by the experience of planting, observing, maintaining and learning from gardens and habitat based site projects. Such inquiry based learning has compelling support in the data as being a source of boosting student achievement, improving behavior and reducing truancy. The benefits ascribed to garden and habitat based on-site education are consistent with the current Montgomery County Public Schools Strategic Planning Framework. The framework is structured around three areas: Academic Excellence, Creative Problem Solving, and Social Emotional Learning.