DIY Urban Greening Projects
These DIY Greening Projects will not only save you money, they'll increase overall community health and livability
Install Solar Panels
Using your home as a solar energy generator gets us one step closer to becoming more energy resilient and less dependent on fossil fuels! See if you qualify for FREE Solar panel installation on your roof!
Remove Your Lawn
Produce or Reduce! One of the biggest uses of water is in the watering of lawns which creates little to no ecological benefit. Replace your lawn with native and drought-tolerant plants to reduce your water waste or make your lawn a vegetable garden to produce food for your family. Visit our local plant nursery In Season to find the perfect landscaping!
Plant a Rain Garden
Water puddles into the rain garden instead of flowing into the street reducing peak runoff flow. Peak flows occur when runoff reaches its highest point. By slowing runoff, we can reduce peak flows and mitigate flooding and erosion potential.
Cost can be a barrier for those wanting to install a rain garden on their property.
Check out this rain garden calculator to get an estimate on how expensive your rain garden will be.
Install Rain Barrels
A rain barrel is simply a container that captures and stores rainwater draining from your home's roof. Barrels typically range from 50 to 80 gallons and have a spigot for filling watering cans and/or a connection for a garden hose. A screen or mesh is placed to filter out any debris that may come in.
Some benefits of a rain barrels include:
+ Saves money on water
+ Plants prefer rain water over tap water, allowing for a more healthy garden
+ Reduces storm water runoff
Weatherize Your Home
Fixing water and air leaks in your home reduces the amount of energy needed to heat or cool your place, in turn saving you money on utility bills. Learn more on how to seal air leaks in your home!
Choose Another Travel Method
One of the easiest and most immediate ways to reduce your carbon footprint is choosing to travel to your destination by foot, bike, scooter, etc!
Trips less than one mile > Go by foot!
Trips 2-5 miles > Go by bike!
Trips 5+ miles > Go by public transportation!