50 people joined us for a very wet and informative tour of local Rain Gardens. It was covered on KRON4 news and an article on MarinMore.com.

Click on the read more for notes, links, text from our rain_garden_brochure and a chance to have a rain garden installed at you home in the Ross Valley.

Special thanks to Paola Bouley of SPAWN for her wealth of knowledge on all things water related, Fairfax Lumber (www.fairfaxlumber.com)for bringing by their rain barrels and permeable pavers, and Patti Vance for showing of one of the 200 gallon tanks available at California Rainwater Conservation Systems.(www.calrainwater.org)

We started the tour at our Sustainability Center showcasing a 1,000 gallon tank and system of permanent and vernal ponds planted with native plants. We then toured the Rain Garden planted by tenants Rebecca Burgess and Andrew Fynn in between their apartment house and the neighboring fence. A great example of what can be done inexpensively with native plants and the magic of mycorrhizal fungi. We moved on to the Lagunitas School grounds for a very informative tour by Waldorf program students of their native planted swales and re-establishment of a natural vernal pond. And Paola walked us through the SPAWN project that includes more rain gardens preparing to capture parking lot water and a good look at a 30,000 gallon cistern that feeds the school garden program.

Here are some other links I promised to post- (let me know if I forgot any)

People interested in taking action on State Greywater meeting - check out info on this site
Water Components in San Rafael for gutter, valve and pipe needs.
American Tanks in Windsor-for large tank needs- contact us to see if we have enough interest for a bulk buy. (Please check permits required for your area-here in Fairfax and I believe the county you need no permit unless your tank is larger than 5,000 gallon or taller than it is wide.)

We are in our second year of less rainfall than we need to meet our needs. Climate change is causing more frequent flood events. MMWD is in the process of moving forward on a Desalination plant. Wildlife dependent on our creeks and streams are suffering.
You can make a difference in your backyard by creating a Rain Garden!

We are seeking residences in Ross Valley to do a hands-on class that will install a tank and swale on your property- ideally you meet these requirements-
1. Live at and own the home to be worked on in Fairfax.
2. Pay $500 for partial cost of tank, plants, rocks and other materials.
3. Allow us to choose the materials that are best suited for the site and the project.
4. Have a home that is guttered to downspouts.
5. Have garden space down slope from downspout.
6. Have enough space for up to 20 people to work in the garden area.
7. Be willing to have us advertise your location as a Rain Garden.
8. Have the area viewable from the street.
9. Understand basic garden maintenance and keep your garden looking good.
Contact Pam Hartwell-Herrero if you are interested.

Create your Rain Garden
A home-scale guide to harvesting rainwater

Water is the basis of all living biological systems. Civilizations around the world have been collecting and storing rainwater for over 4,000 years. Rain Gardens include both capturing and storing roof water in rain barrels and tanks for future water needs and resculpting your landscape to create swales and vernal ponds.

“By means of water, we give life to everything” Koran 2130

FACTS TO CONSIDER AND GUIDE US
• Climate change is causing extreme weather – drought, wildfires, sea level rise, flooding.
• Storm drain systems of the Ross Valley are flooding more frequently because of increased non-permeable surfaces such as driveways, roofs, roads, and sidewalks.
• Flooding, drought, landslides and toxic runoff cause financial losses, threaten public safety and deplete species dependent on our watershed.
• The Marin Municipal Water district does not have an adequate water supply to sustain the needs of the people and environment. By 2025 the supply-demand deficit will more than double.
• During the summer 50-75% of Marin treated drinking water is used for landscaping and 25-50% of that is wasted through poor management.
• Average daily water use per capita in Marin is 140 gallons. Whoa!
• 25% of the water we currently use is imported from the Russian River.
• We are currently extracting water from reservoirs and rivers faster than nature can replenish them.
• Water is a precious resource that falls from the sky for free.

CONSIDER YOUR YARD AS YOUR PERSONAL WATERSHED
Tanks and swales installed at your home safely slow, sink and spread rainwater, creating a unique growing environment for food and native plants.

RAIN GARDEN BENEFITS
• Creates solutions for flooding, topsoil loss, and toxic runoff into our creeks
• Builds self-reliance and decentralizes water resources
• Reduces impact of drought by slowly recharging our water table
• Creates a unique microclimate for food, native, and habitat plants
• Lowers water bill and treatment costs
• Manages and uses water from non-permeable surfaces
• Replenishes local water table
• Relieves strain on our water supplies
• Provides water security and disaster preparedness for fire safety and drought
• Prevents erosion of sloped areas

ROOF-WATER HARVESTING
Think of your roof as a well!
Roof-water harvesting is the storage of rain from your roof. How does it work? Simple. The rain runs off the roof, through the gutters, and into a rain barrel or tank. It is then stored for future landscape needs. Systems can be designed to collect any amount of water. All tanks and barrels should overflow into your landscape.

Things to consider when installing a roof-water catchment system:
1. Analyze location of collection tank and irrigation needs.
2. Possible retrofit and redesign of rain gutters and downspouts.
3. Rain barrel or tank should include a screen at intake and a way to drain water.
4. Position rain barrel or tank to allow access for inspection and maintenance
5. A Roof-water catchment system should direct overflow for when the tank gets full.
6. Use overflow as a resource for your swale or vernal pond.

Water collection table:
Sq. Ft. of Roof Gallons of roof runoff
1,000 24,920
2,000 49,840
3,000 74,760
based on average annual rainfall in Ross Valley for one year

SWALES AND VERNAL PONDS: Plant the Rain!
Swales are shallow (10-24”) basins strategically located to collect, spread and infiltrate water that falls on hard surfaces like roofs and driveways. Swales transform the negative impact of excess runoff on our watershed into a positive environment for food plants, natives, and habitat. Swales also prevent erosion and protect vegetation on sloped areas. They also work as a great overflow from downspout and from tank systems.

Things to consider when installing a swale or vernal pond:
1. Begin with observation. During a rain, observe the water flow and pooling patterns on your property.
2. Begin at the highest point of your yard (watershed) and work downward.
3. Begin in a small area and make it simple. If you need advice, consult a permaculturalist or landscaper
4. Swale basins should be at least 6’ away from house foundation.
6. Determine an overflow route away from your home. Manage the overflow as a resource and have final outlet at the bottom of your watershed.
7. Cover berms and swales with mulch and plant with water loving trees, natives and food.
8. Continually review your rain water systems. Landscapes evolve.

“We call upon the waters that rim the earth, horizon to horizon, that flow in our rivers and streams, that fall upon our gardens and fields and we ask that they teach us and show us the way.” Chinook Indian Blessing

Resources:
Information
www.marinwater.org MMWD rebate information and water district site
www. spawnusa.org Watershed stewardship
www.mcstopp.org Marin County Stormwater Prevention Program
www.oaecwater.org Water Institute at Occidental Arts & Ecology Center -Brock Dolman
www.HarvestingRainwater.com Brad Lancaster
www. Regenerativedesign.org Bolinas, CA local permaculture professionals
www.friendsofcortemaderacreek.org
www.rossvallewatershed.org

Retailers
www.CalRainwater.com San Anselmo
Fairfax Lumber, Fairfax
O’Donnel’s Nursery, Fairfax
Sunnyside Nursery, San Anselmo

Special thanks to Hal Brown-Marin County Supervisor, Elizabeth Baker and Chimene Hickey-Environmental Forum, Savanna Susnow-SeaDisc Intern/Illustrator, Paola Bouley-SPAWN, and Pam Hartwell-Hererro-Sustainable Fairfax.

Sustainable Fairfax is working to regenerate and preserve the social, economic and environmental well-being of Fairfax and its’ sphere of influence. Please visit our Sustainability Center at 141 Bolinas Road. We capture 1000 gallon of rainwater in a tank and harvest the other 15,000 gallons that lands on our roof though a bathtub water garden, permanent pond and a series of vernal ponds.