Rain Garden Workshop Series: Learning, Sharing, and Getting Our Hands Dirty

Workshop in Bladensburg, Maryland about how rain gardens, bioretention, and other green infrastructure can help our communities manage stormwater and reduce flooding.

Exploring how rain gardens and other green infrastructure can help our communities manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and bring beauty to our neighborhoods.

This summer, the Neighborhood Design Center teamed up with Rebecca Stack of Designgreen for a series of hands-on workshops. Thanks to funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), we gathered with residents, municipal staff, and community leaders to learn, swap stories, and see these sustainable features up close.

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How to reduce stromwater runoff and flooding? Join a workshop.

Bladensburg: A July Evening of Ideas and Action

In the heat of late July, 15 participants joined us in Bladensburg to talk all things rain gardens — what they are, how they work, and why native plants make all the difference. With a mix of local maintenance staff, municipal representatives, homeowners facing stormwater challenges, and environmentally minded residents, the conversation was lively and wide-ranging.

We dug into topics like:

The features and function of rain gardens and bioretention areas
Native vs. invasive plants (and why it matters)
Troubleshooting common maintenance issues
Grant funding opportunities and local groups to get involved with

The group’s expertise and questions made for an informative and inspiring evening, underscoring the many ways individuals and communities can work together to manage stormwater.

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Edmonston, Maryland stormwater workshop. Learn about bioretention and environmental infrastructure.

Edmonston: Small Town, Big Impact

Edmonston may be home to just over 1,600 residents, but it’s a leader in green stormwater solutions. The town has nearly 90 rain gardens — all grant-funded — spread across residential and industrial areas. Over the years, property damage from flooding has diminished, even during intense storm events like those we saw in 2025.

During our visit, participants learned some fascinating facts:

Unique soils: Thanks to gravel- and aggregate-rich subsoil near the Anacostia River, most rain gardens here don’t require underdrains.
Cleaner waterways: The rain garden we toured sits just upslope from a storm drain inlet, capturing the first flush of rainwater runoff - often the dirtiest - before it can flow into the river.
Seasonal beauty, year-round care: The garden at Crittenden Street and 51st Place is a shining example of a well-maintained rain garden, with colorful blooms throughout the seasons and a thoughtful balance of plants. Invasive species are removed, and excess native plants are carefully transplanted to other rain gardens.

Though the Edmonston workshop drew a small group, the discussion was rich, highlighting the tangible benefits of green infrastructure for flood resilience, water quality, and community pride.

Why It Matters

Rain gardens aren’t just pretty — they’re practical. They reduce stormwater runoff, filter pollutants, and create habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Most importantly, they’re a tool communities can use - together - to tackle environmental challenges head-on.

We’re grateful to Rebecca Stack of Designgreen for leading these workshops and to NFWF for making them possible. And to everyone who joined us in Bladensburg and Edmonston: thank you for your curiosity, expertise, and commitment to a more sustainable future.

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