the National wildlife federation

grant award: $291,401; year awarded: 2021

In the Anacostia Watershed of Washington, D.C. and Maryland, large areas of impervious surface have led to runoff and high-velocity flows that many aquatic organisms cannot tolerate. This has eroded stream banks, increased water turbidity, and destroyed vegetative habitat and food sources for pollinators and beneficial insects. Climate change is exacerbating these stressors, as heavy precipitation events continue to increase locally. Partnering with urban faith-based communities and multi-faith congregations, NWF will install 9 rain gardens and adaptive conservation landscaping on congregation properties and on over 1,000 homes and yards of community members in the watershed to increase wildlife habitat and reduce runoff. Leadership members of twelve diverse congregations across three municipalities have co-designed the project, will co-execute it, and will partner as ambassadors for climate adaptive native rain gardens and conservation landscaping.