Solutions
Rain Garden Action In Neighborhoods
Bronx River Alliance | Gowanus Canal Conservancy | Green City Force | Guardians of Flushing Bay | The HOPE Program | Newtown Creek Alliance
The voices and expertise of local communities are essential in crafting solutions to the climate crisis.
The RAIN Coalition elevates these voices and expertise citywide for rain garden stewardship.
Workforce Development Developing a thoughtful green jobs pipeline for frontline communities.
Connections to Local Waterways
-
No matter where you live, you live in a watershed. In NYC, many of the original waterways have been buried, put in pipes, and shunted out of view. However, you might be surprised to learn that the water that you see hit the ground during a rainstorm still flows into rivers, streams, and canals (whether above or below ground), and eventually out into New York Harbor or the Long Island Sound. So that rain garden on your block is connecting you to a hydrological system that you may not be aware of.
You might also be surprised to hear that you can actually canoe on the Bronx River, Newtown Creek, Gowanus Canal or row in Flushing Bay!
Through extensive on-water programming, volunteerism, and youth development, the RAIN Coalition surfaces the connections between far-flung rain gardens throughout the city and the ability to enjoy our precious waterfront. Check out our partners’ pages for on-water recreational opportunities and other ways to better understand your watershed and waterway.
Green Infrastructure Rain gardens are an essential tool for NYC to address climate change.
-
The standard right-of-way street rain garden has the potential to absorb 2,500 gallons of stormwater! Given that NYC has 12,000 rain gardens across the city, that’s a big step in helping mitigate localized flooding from cloudburst storms. And by diverting water out of the City’s combined sewer system, these gardens help reduce sewage discharge into our local waterways.
The great thing is that rain gardens have many other benefits too. They provide pollinator habitat, offer beauty, and cool neighborhoods.
-
We have a moral obligation to ensure that the billions of dollars being spent on climate mitigation and adaptation accrue to the communities most impacted by the crisis.
Developing thoughtful pipelines to jobs in green infrastructure maintenance for frontline communities is one key way we can do this.
The RAIN Coalition is looking to models like Philadelphia’s Power Corps to shape a solution in NYC.
Read even more - check out the Brookings Institution’s October 2023 report “Unlocking new federal infrastructure funding to drive green workforce development.”
Community Stewardship Local communities are taking action to ensure NYC’s long-term climate resilience. You can too!
-
You can reach out to one of the watershed groups to volunteer! Check out the opportunities on the Get Involved page to connect with a watershed group near you.
An essential element of the RAIN model of rain garden stewardship is connecting with local communities, schools, and volunteers. We love to share and learn from one another about rain gardens, native habitat, and why it’s so meaningful to connect to your local waterway. Join us!
