[cid:image002.png@01CF33D5.12BB0210] Are you a homeowner landscaping in Tacoma? Consider a rain garden! The City of Tacoma has launched a pilot incentive program to help you design and install them. The time to call for soil testing and design assistance is now, so you're ready to plant in spring. Rain gardens are low areas with highly absorbent soils and plants that do well in both standing water and drought conditions. They're designed to slow and filter rain water running off of impermeable roofs, driveways and sidewalks. If you own a home in the Flett Creek or Leach Creek watersheds, which include parts of central and south Tacoma, you may also qualify for a rebate of up to $2,000 to help with construction and installation costs. These watersheds are priority areas for the City due to downstream salmon habitat and storm system capacity issues. (Lots of smaller rain gardens can minimize expensive storm system expansions.) The innovative Environmental Services' residential rain garden program is voluntary and designed to benefit both homeowners and community waterways. Learn more: * Attend the free Rain Gardens + Rain Garden Incentive Program<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/environmentalservices/enviro_house/workshops/> workshop on Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. * News Release: Expertise and Rebates for Homeowner to Install Rain Gardens<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=44524> * YouTube PSA<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMDZcHwetnQ&feature=share&list=UUeE_KkLW1qXJvzHPt6jCquQ> * Visit a residential rain garden at the City's EnviroHouse<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/environmentalservices/enviro_house/>, 3510 South Mullen Street * Email: raingarden@cityoftacoma.org<mailto:raingarden@cityoftacoma.org> * Link: cityoftacoma.org/raingarden<http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/one.aspx?objectId=37486> * Call: (253) 591-5588