Issued: August, 2012 RainScaping Update  The goal of life is living in agreement with nature. -Zeno Master Watershed Steward Certification Course The Watershed Stewards Academy is currently recruiting COMMUNITY LEADERS for its next Master Watershed Steward Certification Course. WSA trains and supports community leaders called Master Watershed Stewards to help their communities reduce pollution and restore their waterways. If you are interested in being certified as a Master Watershed Steward, please attend one of several informational meetings this summer (August 21, 27 or September 5th) to learn more about the program. All informational sessions will be held at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center from 6:30-7:30 pm. Applications will be accepted through September 12, 2012. The Certification Course is composed of approximately 13 sessions from October 2012-March 2013. Additional information including course dates and a downloadable application is available on the WSA website at – www.aawsa.org. To sign up for an informational meeting, visit – www.aawsa.org. Specific questions may be directed to Suzanne Etgen, WSA Program Coordinator at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center: 410 222 3822. Chesapeake Ecology Center, 10th Anniversary Celebration! Garden Open House & Native Plant Sale! Saturday, September 15 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Rain date: Sunday, September 16) 245 Clay Street Annapolis, MD 21401 All are invited to this free event and celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Chesapeake Ecology Center (CEC)! Join Master Gardener tour guides for tours of the Native Plant Demonstration Gardens at the CEC. Learn about native plants, rain gardens, and other conservation landscaping practices. This is also their annual fundraiser, and native plants at discount prices will be made available. The CEC is located at Adams Academy at Adams Park Middle School, in Annapolis, MD, just two blocks from the Navy Stadium. Visit – www.ChesapeakeEcologyCenter.org – for more information and directions to the CEC. RainScaping in Action at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources In the spring of 2012, over 40 individuals learned first-hand about rain garden installation at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by participating in a major restoration of two rain gardens. The 2012 restoration project is a “facelift” of the two parking lot rain gardens, aka bioretention cells, at the Tawes Office Building. View photos here. A new 2012 RainScaping Brochure was also produced as part of this outstanding initiative. Download it here. RainScaping In Action at Quiet Waters Park Quiet Waters Park (QWP) broke ground this past spring on its Reading and Butterfly Garden, which includes the Watershed Education Experience. View photos here. The new installation—near the water fountain/ice-skating rink—was inspired by Garrett’s Light, an organization established in memory of Garrett Wall Feldman. “This new park attraction will create a place where the community can celebrate the joy of reading and being together in a natural, peaceful and healthy environment,” QWP officials said in a release. Lobelia cardinalis Brilliant red spikes set against green and purple bronze colored foliage. Each individual spike of scarlet flowers opens from bottom to top and stays in bloom for several weeks. Hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies love the nectar. Benefits: Tremendous nectar source for hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies Electric red blooms for several weeks in summer Excellent cut flower Grows easily in wet soil Plant in sun to moderate shade Please direct comments and feedback to info@rainscaping.org.   © Copyright 2012 Rainscaping  |  Produced by Clarity Connect, Inc.