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Category: Community Champions

It might be hard to believe, but at one point in time, San Mateo County was a completely undeveloped landscape.

Although our forests, creeks, and shorelines are still immensely beautiful, over time, we have turned much of our natural landscape into a built environment through urban development. In doing so, our ability to capture and utilize rainfall has been diminished. This is a serious challenge for our community because periods of intense storming on developed land often lead to increased stormwater runoff and pollution that can threaten environmental and public health. 

But, what if we could create a balance between nature and urban development? This is the beauty of green infrastructure. It offers a new sustainable approach to how we manage stormwater in our built environment. Keep reading to learn about the many uses of green infrastructure!

An example of what Green Infrastructure can look like at your local park.

Getting Creative with Green Infrastructure

There are many types of green infrastructure and it can be used at different scales, from backyards to sidewalks to entire ecosystems, like wetlands that buffer against tides and erosion. When we refer to green infrastructure as it relates to stormwater management, the focus is on engineered facilities designed to help us capture, store, and treat rain that falls on our buildings, streets, and other areas in our urban environment, using special soils and plants that filter, absorb, and evapotranspire water, mimicking a more natural water cycle.

Check out Flows To Bay’s free Green Infrastructure Video Resources to learn more about green infrastructure in San Mateo County.

City, County, and State-Level Green Infrastructure

At the city or county scale, green infrastructure is a collection of natural areas that provide benefits such as habitat, shade, flood protection, and cleaner air and water (see the Green Infrastructure Factsheet, for a quick overview of the benefits). Examples may include the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes such as wetlands and creeks.

Neighborhood-Level Green Infrastructure

At the neighborhood or property scale, green infrastructure can look like rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, bioswales, trees, and rainwater harvesting systems such as rain barrels and cisterns. These green infrastructure features can be incorporated into schools, yards, new housing developments, parks, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and nearly anywhere else you can imagine in our urban environment.

Where have you seen green infrastructure in your community?

A sustainable street in Burlingame, CA that can help protect the community from flooding and reduce stormwater runoff.

Green Infrastructure Projects in San Mateo County

Flows to Bay’s Green Infrastructure Story Map features green infrastructure projects in the public realm within a variety of settings, including streets, building sites, and lots, which municipalities have built over the past several years showing progress toward integrating infrastructure enhancements and shifting stormwater infrastructure from “gray” to “green.” In San Mateo County, “sustainable streets” are multi-benefit projects designed to improve street conditions for walkability, cycling, urban greening, climate resiliency, and water quality.

C/CAG recently funded ten Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and Green Streets Infrastructure Pilot Projects, which were intended to show the cost efficiencies and multiple community benefits of integrating bike and pedestrian improvements with green stormwater infrastructure. This map will continue to be updated as more green infrastructure projects are built throughout the County, as the municipalities work towards building a more resilient and sustainable stormwater system.

Flows to Bay’s Green Infrastructure Story Map showcases street improvement projects that demonstrate the progress local agencies are making toward shifting stormwater infrastructure from “gray” to “green.”

If you are interested in using green infrastructure to reduce stormwater pollution on your property and in your community, we’re happy to share that there is at least $300 available to you in a rebate to help you transform your yard into a sustainable rain garden with gorgeous native plants that attract local pollinators. If you have not yet accessed Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency’s (BAWSCA) Lawn Be Gone! rebate with rain garden addition, get started today! You can learn more about next steps on our Rain Gardens & Rebates page.

If you are looking for additional tips, make sure to check out these resource links, sample design plans, webinar recording, and informational videos for everything you need to know about rain garden design, construction, and maintenance!

A rain garden is a shallow landscaped depression that captures, cleans, and absorbs rainwater from a roof, driveway or street.

Remember, stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! We encourage you to explore the numerous pages and resources (including this 5-part video series) about green infrastructure that are available on the Flows To Bay website at no cost. No matter how big or small your actions are, we are so thankful that you are a part of this community and this movement to prevent stormwater pollution in our lovely county.

Have questions or ideas you’d like to share about how to reduce stormwater pollution in your community? Flows To Bay is here to help! Please reach out and we’ll gladly do what we can to support you.

It’s just about time to say farewell to fall and welcome the holiday season and all of the joy that comes along with the winter months! As we know all too well, along with the festivities comes colder temperatures and an increased prevalence of storms in San Mateo County.

There’s no doubt that last winter’s storms are still soaking up our attention. Although they provided much-needed relief to our statewide drought, the frequent and intense storming also caused significant flooding and posed a serious threat to the health of our local waterways.

At any time of the year, stormwater runoff can transport harmful pollutants such as pet waste and motor oil from our urban areas into our local waterways, but during extreme rain events, stormwater pollution becomes an even greater risk to environmental and public health.

The good news is that we are working together as a community to prepare for the rainy season and minimize the amount of stormwater pollution in our waterways. Keep reading to learn about this year’s highly successful rain barrel campaign and the actions you can take today to ensure you are ready for the wet season!

Hundreds of residents showed up this November to pick up their discounted rain barrels.

Hurrah for Another Successful Rain Barrel Distribution Event

Thanks to the hundreds of San Mateo residents who participated in our bulk rain barrel program this year, our third annual Rain Barrel Distribution Event was undoubtedly the best one yet! The event took place in the City of San Mateo on Saturday, November 4th, and around 180 community members attended the drive-thru event to conveniently pick up their pre-ordered 50-gallon rain barrels. This tremendous feat would not have been possible without our exceptional team and our wonderful partners, the City of San Mateo and Rainwater Solutions.

Residents picking up their rain barrels at this year’s distribution event in the City of San Mateo.

Meet One of the Heroes of the Rain Barrel Movement

We connected with Allison B. from Redwood City to learn more about her experience joining the rain barrel movement. Allison immediately reflected on how her new rainwater harvesting project relates to stormwater pollution prevention in her community. Living in the hills of Redwood City, she fared pretty well in the intense storms last year. But, due to highly saturated soils, she noted that most of the rain they received turned into runoff that transported harmful pollutants into local waterways:

“We have a view of the bay and can see the bay waters change from blue to brown after the big storms. While our two rain barrels won’t change that, it is important for all of us to try to do the little things that we can do, like recycling, using fewer chemicals, conserving water, and installing rain barrels! Every little bit helps.”

AlLISON b., rEDWOOD CITY

Indeed, every action that our community takes, no matter how large or small, can help us protect our precious waterways. The residents who participated in this year’s campaign and distribution event serve as an incredible example of what we can achieve together. The 297 rain barrels purchased this year through the program can capture nearly 15,000 gallons of stormwater during a single storm event and prevent it from transporting harmful pollutants into our streets, storm drains, and local waterways! And better yet, if we trend back to drought conditions, those barrels have conserved gallons of water to use.

Allison kindly shared some details about her experience with this year’s sale. She recalled how easy the online purchase system was to use and that when she arrived at the event, “there was no line and plenty of people to help us through the pickup process. The staff on-site loaded the barrels into our SUV, and we were on our way.”

Allison has already installed her rain barrels using the video instructions provided by Rain Water Solutions: “We have downspouts that go into a French drain, and the instructions even included information on how to handle that situation. I did the entire installation on my own in an hour or so. The rain barrels are working great!”

For those who may be feeling anxious about applying for BAWSCA’s rain barrel rebate, Allison found the process to be simple and straightforward and she has already received her rebate check in the mail. Please visit our Rain Barrel Rebate page to see a complete list of FAQs and steps to apply for the rebate, which can cover up to 100% of the per-barrel price (pre-tax) for qualifying applicants.

One of Allison B.’s newly installed
Ivy rain barrels.

We followed up with Allison about how her new rain barrels fit into her current landscaping design. She plans to use the harvested water to irrigate her yard in the dry season, and in particular, the south-facing native landscaping, which although drought-tolerant, still needs a lot of water because of the sun exposure. Although it can often feel like a drop in a bucket, every ounce of water she captures with these new barrels and uses to water her landscaping will help conserve precious potable water for our region.

Allison’s south-facing native landscaping.

It’s Your Turn to Join the Rain Barrel Movement in SMC!

Each time a resident like Allison installs a rain barrel on their property, they are making a positive impact on our local water quality and water supply. By taking this initiative, they are also joining a movement of neighbors who care about human and environmental health and have an important role to play in keeping our community resilient in a changing climate. All of us at Flows To Bay are so thankful for each and every one of you who supports water conservation and pollution prevention in San Mateo County.

Once you install your discounted barrel(s), we encourage you to place yourself on the Rain Barrel Map (pictured below) to officially join the rain barrel movement! If you’re absolutely loving your new rain barrel setup, we also welcome you to share your story and pictures with us by filling out our Water-Wise Home Project Form. We’d love to feature your project and share it with other San Mateo County residents.

Flows to Bay’s Rain Barrel Map shows how our community is working to capture every last drop.

If you were unable to participate in this year’s bulk discount event, you can still purchase a rain barrel from Rainwater Solutions or a local supplier and apply for BAWSCA’s rain barrel rebate! Please keep in mind that Flows To Bay does not endorse any specific company or brand. You can also sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our next sale!

Get Prepared for the Stormy Season

There are many ways to help prevent stormwater pollution besides installing rain barrels on your property. Here are some simple actions you can take this winter to help keep our community safe.

These HHW items must be stored in a secure location away from rain and runoff.

Sandbags

Sandbags offer a simple and cost-effective way to prevent flood damage. In the event of a flood, you can use sandbags to help divert water around your home or business. San Mateo County Public Works offers up to 15 pre-made sandbags at no cost to residents of unincorporated areas. Many other cities in the county offer sandbags to community members. Be sure to look up your city’s public works online to get more information about the resources that are available to you.

Be mindful of pesticide use on rainy days

At Flows To Bay, we believe in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – a strategy that emphasizes less-toxic control solutions that have the least environmental impact to keep pests at acceptable, low-levels. If you opt to use pesticides to manage your garden, try to choose the least-toxic product available and don’t apply them outdoors when rain is predicted as it can wash these chemicals off of your property and into our local waterways.

Store HHW in a secure location

Do not store household hazardous waste – chemical wastes and materials typically used within a household such as paints, cleaning solutions, oil, batteries, and pesticides – in locations where flooding is possible or where rain or runoff can reach these items.

Explore our website to learn more about the many ways that you can help prevent stormwater pollution in your community.

Remember, stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! These are just a few ways that you can help protect the health of our community and beautiful environment. We encourage you to explore the numerous pages and resources about stormwater pollution prevention that are available on the Flows To Bay website at no cost. Perhaps you would enjoy learning about successful schoolyard greening projects, the ins and outs of green infrastructure, or how to design your own sustainably-stylish rain garden! No matter how big or small your actions are, we are so thankful that you are a part of this community and this movement to prevent stormwater pollution in our lovely county.

Have questions or ideas you’d like to share about how to reduce stormwater pollution in your community? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll gladly do what we can to support you.

From the towering redwood forests to shorelines teeming with wildlife, our beloved San Mateo County is truly a rich and diverse landscape. Whether you live bayside or by the sea, there is no doubt that we all cherish this special place we call home.

As precious as it is, one of the biggest threats to our natural environment is our overconsumption of single-use plastics. Despite our best intentions, these products often end up in our local waterways where they can reduce water quality, harm local wildlife, and damage human health when ingested by the fish we eat. This is why it is so important for all of us to be stewards of our environment, and do what we can to establish a litter-free San Mateo County.

Luckily, there are actions you can take today and any day to help preserve our environment and keep our communities healthy and safe!

The pristine Half Moon Bay coastline on a clear summer day.

Coastal Cleanup Day 2023

Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual statewide waterway and land cleanup held on the third Saturday of every September. It’s the state’s largest annual volunteer event and an excellent opportunity for all of us to come together as a community to remove trash from our environment before the winter storms come along and transport it into our waterways, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

Since 1985, over 1.6 million volunteers across the state have collected over 26 million pounds of trash! But this event is about more than just removing trash from our environment. The data that we collect from Coastal Cleanup Day has served a critical role in shaping groundbreaking legislation such as the single-use plastic bag ban that California passed in 2016. Since that time, we have observed a major decrease in the percentage of plastic bags found on beaches during Coastal Cleanup Day, which begs the question: What other single-use plastics can we get banned through collective action?

This year, The California Coastal Commission announced that the 39th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9am to Noon. Please visit https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/coastal-cleanup-day-2023 to learn about the 30+ clean-up locations you can volunteer at in San Mateo County and register with a team.

Can’t make it that morning? You can still participate in Coastal Cleanup Day by cleaning up your neighborhood any time throughout the month of September. Stormwater runoff can transport plastic waste and other pollutants from our neighborhoods into our local waterways at a very fast rate, so you can still make a huge impact on water quality and marine health by staying local.

Join us for Coastal Cleanup Day 2023! (Image source: SMC Health)

This event also serves as a reminder that we are overusing and discarding way too much trash into our environment each year. Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day is an easy way to help remedy the problem, but the real solution is for all of us to consider how we can reduce how much plastic waste we produce every day.

At Flows To Bay, Zero Waste Is The Way

Zero waste is a process and a philosophy that involves a redesign of products and consumption in a way that all material goods can be reused or recycled—or not discarded at all. This approach champions actions we can take to avoid using the single-use plastics that we often find washing up on our beautiful coastline.

Recycling is often celebrated as one of the best environmental actions that we can take as individuals. While it’s still important to recycle whenever possible, refusing to use products, reducing our consumption, and reusing materials often have a larger positive impact on our environment.

Aspiring for a zero waste lifestyle is one of the best ways to protect our local waterways. (Image source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance)

Refuse

The best thing you can do to have an impact on plastic waste reduction is to simply refuse to use single-use plastics whenever possible. This may seem challenging at first, but with some basic preparation, it can become fairly easy. By saying “no thanks” to free disposable items and carrying your own reusable items such as grocery bags, a water bottle, and cutlery, you can make a huge difference!

Reduce

The less we consume, the less we waste! Although it may seem obvious, we can find great power in reducing the amount of items we own and choose to buy going forward. More often than not, we don’t end up using these items as we originally intended to and they can end up as waste in our landfills and on our beaches.

Reuse

Although we should all strive to refuse and reduce whenever we can, there will always be a need for us to consume. In these moments, reusing is what we can do to extend the usefulness of the products we consume before they are discarded. This can be a very fun and creative activity, such as repairing clothing or turning an empty pasta jar into a vase for your flowers.

An inside look at a local sustainable grocery store! (Image Source: Byrd’s Filling Station.)

Support Local Businesses!

Another great way to contribute to waste reduction is to support local sustainable businesses that are working to make a zero-waste and plastic-free lifestyle easier for all San Mateo County residents. Check out a few highlights below!

  • Reusable San Mateo County is currently piloting reusable takeout containers with several eateries in Burlingame.
  • Byrd’s Filling Station is a sustainable grocery store that sells reusable containers and offers bulk refill services to completely cut single-use plastic out of the picture. Read our blog from last year to learn more about their incredible story.
  • Okapi Reusables partners with local cafes to offer reusable cups that keep your drink hotter or colder longer and minimize environmental impact.

Remember, stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! There are so many ways that you can help reduce single-use plastic waste in our community. You can volunteer at Coastal Cleanup Day, take our litter pledge, support one of the sustainable businesses listed above, or decide to make one small and simple change in your lifestyle to contribute to waste reduction in San Mateo County. Zero waste may be the goal, but when many of us collectively reduce our waste just a little bit, we can achieve so much more than we ever thought was possible.

Have questions or ideas you’d like to share about how to reduce waste in your community? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll gladly do what we can to support you.

Although Earth Day has passed, we should always be working to make our communities more sustainable and resilient to change. At Flows To Bay, we view every day as Earth day since every day is an opportunity to conserve water and keep our beautiful waterways pollution-free!

Even as we transition from a record wet season to warmer and drier months, stormwater pollution and landscape runoff can still threaten the health of our local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. This is because water that flows from our buildings and lawns can transport harmful pollutants such as litter and animal waste from our urban landscape down our untreated storm drains and into our local waterways. Luckily, rain barrels and rain gardens are great ways to capture and manage runoff before it reaches our storm drains and can damage our local waterways and the precious organisms that depend on them.

Schools happen to be perfect locations to integrate these rainwater harvesting features that serve to save water, reduce runoff, and improve stormwater quality in our urban environment. Click here to learn more about Flows To Bay’s efforts to create rainwater resilient schools in partnership with the San Mateo County Sustainable and Climate Ready Schools Partnership Network.

On March 25th, Flows To Bay partnered with Each Green Corner and a local Rainwater Harvesting Specialist named Chris Corvetti to install a daisy chain rain barrel system at Central Middle School (CMS) in San Carlos. The project served as an opportunity for the community to come together to learn hands-on about the rain barrel installation process and for the school to increase their capacity to capture stormwater and prevent stormwater pollution.

The new 220-gallon daisy chain rain barrel catchment system at Central Middle School.

Central Middle School’s Daisy Chain Rain Barrel Installation

Ten enthusiastic community volunteers attended the hands-on workshop. The skill level varied tremendously within the group, but the beauty of the event was how accessible it was for anyone who just wants to learn the basics about rain barrels and how to install them properly. In fact, there was even one fourth grade student who participated!

This workshop is a great example of what Flows To Bay can organize for other schools in the county, so let’s take a deeper look at each step of the installation process.

Learning the Basics

The first step of the workshop was making sure that all of the attendees were up to speed. So, our amazing rainwater harvesting specialist Chris gave a brief presentation on stormwater pollution and the basic anatomy of rain barrel systems.

Chris explained how rain barrels function to help us prevent stormwater pollution. Then, she introduced all of the components that come with the BlueBarrel DIY-RainKit that we would be using to set up the new system at Central Middle School. BlueBarrel’s rain barrel system is particularly affordable and sustainable because it’s made from repurposed 55-gallon barrels.

If you are interested in purchasing a BlueBarrel DIY-RainKit for your home or school, don’t forget to use Flows To Bay’s promo code to get 10% off! Make sure to also check out our rain barrel and rebate page to see if you are eligible for up to $200 in rebates through the Countywide Rain Barrel Rebate Program and Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA).

Chris Corvetti presenting on rain barrels and how they help prevent stormwater pollution.

Plumbing Skills

After we covered the basics, it was time to get to work! Chris showed us how to cut PVC pipes and glue them to the repurposed BlueBarrels so we could create the daisy chain system.

BlueBarrel’s daisy chain system allows you to easily connect as many barrels as you want to each other so there is no limit to the amount of storage capacity that you can install! Although it may seem complex, the system is actually very simple. When water flowing from your downspout (think: gutter) fills up the first barrel, the extra water flows through the overflow hole on the bottom and into the next barrel. You can learn more about how this system works on their website.

This simple yet powerful system allowed us to set up four 55-gallon rain barrels, with a total storage capacity of 220 gallons of water!

Chris Corvetti helping two residents learn how to attach PVC pipes to BlueBarrels.

Heavy Lifting Before Lunch

Once we set up the plumbing, we moved the rain barrels from the school’s courtyard to their final home next to our chosen rain gutter and above a nearby planter box.

Then it was time for lunch! To reward everyone for their hard work, Flows To Bay brought sandwiches, snacks and beverages for all of the attendees.

Snacks, water and informational fliers that Flows To Bay brought for the attendees of the workshop.

Creating A Drip Irrigation System

After lunch, we all got our hands dirty and spent some time removing weeds from the planter adjacent to the rain barrels. You can really see just how much we removed in the images below.

The next item on the agenda was to create an automatic drip irrigation system that feeds overflow water from the rain barrels into the nearby planter of fig trees. First, we configured the rain barrels to a flow controller and pump with an automatic timer that will make it easy for students at the school to water the planter on a regular basis.

Next, we cut a gardening hose and attached it to the barrels to create the drip irrigation system that feeds into the planters (see the black piping in the image on the right).

A resident weeding the planter adjacent to the new daisy chain rain barrel system. (Left)
The newly installed drip irrigation system at CMS. (Right)

At Flows To Bay, every day is Earth day.

Next Steps at CMS

The installation was a great success, but the work does not stop there! Each Green Corner, who donated the 4 barrels we installed during this event, will continue to work with the school to install mulch and additional plants in the nearby planter.

That’s all it takes! The result of our combined efforts was a newly installed daisy chain rain barrel system that has the potential to harvest over 8,000 gallons of water over the course of a year and feeds overflow water into the garden right next to it. Central Middle School will benefit tremendously from this addition of green infrastructure that can help capture, clean and absorb stormwater runoff on campus.

Chris Corvetti and some of the workshop attendees discussing the new rain barrel catchment system at CMS.

Even though Flows To Bay helped organize the event, this was truly a hands-on workshop, so we want to give a special shout out to all of the residents who attended and made this installation possible. You all demonstrate just how much our community shows up and embraces every day as earth day.

Stormwater pollution prevention starts with you! Not sure where you or your school should start? Flows To Bay is here to help! Reach out to Flows To Bay and we’ll help you get set up with a rain barrel or rain garden project on your campus.

In 2020, Burlingame residents Don Donoughe and Beth Concoby were ready to make a change. They were not only well aware of California’s need to conserve water, but also tired of their browning lawn and the routine mowing it required. Thus, what started off as an idea to install a single rain barrel blossomed into a full-fledged landscaping “redo,” complete with 5 large rain barrels and a rain garden!

Two years later, Don and Beth have noticed how their rain garden has influenced not only their own enjoyment of the yard, but also their neighbors’. “We’re noticing more people in our neighborhood… I think you somewhat become a catalyst that people see you [making the change] and then others follow.” Plus, they’ve even noticed neighborhood kids enjoying their yard. “They seem kind of fascinated,” noted Beth. One time a little boy passed by and said “Oh, now THAT’S landscaping.”

Early Beginnings

Driven by Beth’s weariness of the grass lawn and Don’s interest in capturing water on-site, the two began researching rain catchment systems. Don reached out to contractors they had heard about from a webinar and was quickly introduced to the idea of a rain garden. Beth found the idea particularly appealing, as they could keep rain water on-site from their rain barrels for use around the garden, while the new landscaping would absorb any excess water into the ground instead of heading straight for the Bay. Plus, Beth noted that “if we were going to do it, installing just one rain barrel made no sense… you might as well capture as much rain as you can.” So, Beth and Don decided on five big rain cisterns, each with a capacity of 530 gallons, and a whole new landscape for their yard. A drip irrigation system connected to their cisterns would help water their reimagined landscape into a self-sufficient system.

Two Years Later

Today, Beth and Don are noticing a plethora of benefits from their rain catchment setup!

  • Water Capture: Don and Beth’s entire setup now captures around “80 to 90% of the water off the roof… either into the rain barrels or the soil.”
  • Water Bill Savings: While the new plants required an initial increased water usage to become established, Don mentioned that they “are starting to realize more savings now”
  • Maintenance & Aesthetics: Their new rain garden is not only practical, but also beautiful! Don said, “It’s nice to not be out there cutting grass…trying to make the yard look nice because it’s so much more interesting now. And it’s low maintenance. So, there’s more than just the water savings. It just looks really good.”
  • Reduced Herbicides & Pesticides: By having a rain garden filled with native plants, “you’re not using any herbicides or insecticides. So that is reducing the pollution going to the bay from runoff” said Beth. 
  • Pollinators: Beth has noticed that their yard now attracts quite a few pollinator friends like bees and hummingbirds.

Lastly, the two now enjoy the fun and satisfaction of their landscaping switchup! For example, Don told a tale of how heavy storms from last December filled up their rain barrel tanks, causing overflow into the swale. “We basically had a little creek out there that was full of water. And it was very, very exciting… It was fun to see!” 

Key Lesson Learned from Don & Beth

Feeling inspired to start on your own rain garden or rain barrel journey? Here’s some advice from our water capturing champs!

Don and Beth both agreed that it’s crucial to decide on your project’s scope early on. Whether you’re working with a professional contractor or planning to DIY your rain catchment setup, having a defined scope can help you plan, remain within your budget, and get an idea of how much work will be required. 

When asked if they would recommend it to anyone else, Beth responded with “Oh, absolutely… I think it’s pretty important to do what you can to get drought tolerance and to remove thirsty plants.” Plus, Beth noted, “We get more joy out of our yard without the grass. It’s more interesting. We enjoy spending time in it more.”

So, whether you want to capture and conserve water with growing concern for the drought or simply want to do away with a browning lawn, consider implementing your very own rain catchment system! Everything from a single rain barrel to a complete landscaping switch up makes a difference.

Additional Resources

  1. Rain Barrel Resources: Learn more about rain barrel benefits and the opportunity to receive a rebate up to $200 by checking out this page. 
  2. Rain Garden Rebates: Learn about the Lawn Be Gone! and Rain Garden Rebate Program here. 
  3. Rain Garden Blog: Check out this past blog post on rain gardens, what they are, and how to get started.

Meet our latest community champion, Nazima C. from Redwood City! Last Fall, Nazima took the initiative to transform her yard’s lawn into a thriving rain garden, home to beautiful drought-tolerant plants and magnificent pollinator friends. Now Nazima enjoys sipping her morning coffee, chatting with the neighbors, and soaking in the sun in her very own oasis amidst urban life. 

“It’s very comforting,” Nazima said. “You open the front door, you have this beautiful garden in front of you, and it doesn’t matter that nonsense is going to hit your plate during the day; you just open the door and have 5 minutes sitting on the steps, watching nature do its work, and you think ‘ok, now I can start my work.’”

Nazima’s Yard Transformation Tale  

In the Fall of 2021, Nazima had been receiving rather pricey water bills, yet was well aware of the current drought affecting all Californians. She decided it was time to switch up her home’s landscaping. 

“Psychologically, people have this notion of grass: it’s in all the Hollywood films, it’s the white picket fence, it’s the lawn. It’s quite a mental leap to get rid of it, but the moment you do you never look back. It’s a huge improvement. Just make that jump. Make that leap!”

After looking around online, Nazima came across the Lawn Be Gone! Program that offers rebates to residents who replace their lawns with a drought-tolerant landscape, with an additional $300 rebate to include a rain garden. Rain gardens are a landscaping technique that involve drought tolerant plants and a shallow depression designed to naturally capture rainwater. These gardens help to reduce flooding, clean water, create natural habitats, and beautify the yard while saving you money!

Nazima then coordinated with a representative from the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), drew up the garden plans, scheduled a pre-inspection, got the plans approved, and received her rebate in a mere 2 weeks—all of which she found “seamless” and “very straightforward.” 

While Nazima emphasized the ease of the rebate process, she noted that “the really compelling part was that the choice of plants was so huge… If you were going to rip up your grass and do something new, it wasn’t going to be cookie cutter to what everyone else had. You can really do a lot with the amount of space that you have.”

Digging Into Change

Equipped with experience in contracting work, Nazima’s husband got to work in removing their lawn and setting the foundation for their new garden. Meanwhile, Nazima used BAWSCA’s list of over 2500 approved plants to pick out their new plantings. With the wide variety of choices, she was able to choose plants that fit her preferences. “I wanted pollinators, so I was looking in the salvia range,” she said.  From start to finish, the entire process only took them 1 week to complete. 

Soaking up the Benefits

Less than a year after their landscaping switch up, Nazima is thrilled at the abundance of pollinators that now enjoy the garden alongside herself, her husband, her neighbors, and even passerby. The little slice of nature right in her front yard attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. “The salvias are all beautiful and they really do attract the hummingbirds, you walk out and there will be 5 and you think wow, how lucky am I to live here!” 

Additionally, Nazima noted that all of her new plants have flourished with essentially zero maintenance. While her previous lawn required regular watering and care, the rain garden has been largely self-sufficient. Nazima even said she went away on vacation for three weeks, but upon her return, you would never be able to tell she was gone just from looking at the yard! 

Insights from Nazima

The most important piece of advice Nazima would give to anyone considering implementing a rain garden is that “it’s not as hard as you think it is.” Aside from that, here are some additional insights from our water-wise champ:

  • Picking out Plants: “You just have to be organized, and it’s really hard to hold on to this at that moment, but everything is going to grow and spread so you don’t need as much as you think you do.”
  • Practicing Patience: “You have to be patient, but it only takes about 6 months for everything to really flourish.”
  • More Admiring, Less Maintenance: “Once [the plants are] established they need minimal care, 99% of the time it’s just admiring.”
  • Cost: “The [Lawn Be Gone and Rain Garden] rebates pay for the plants, and at the end of the day you won’t worry about how much you spent on it because it just brings you so much joy.”

So, if you’re looking to beautify the yard, attract more pollinators, spend less time maintaining, or simply save money on your water bill, why not consider digging into your very own lawn transformation project? Particularly in light of the current drought, you can stay ahead of the curve and make the swap from a grass lawn to a water-wise and beautiful landscape.

Get more information on the Lawn Be Gone! And Rain Garden Rebate Program here and even check out this past blog post to learn more about rain gardens.

Byrd’s Filling Station is clearing the way to a low waste future right here in San Mateo County! 

Laura Porter, owner of Byrd’s and our newest community champion, is helping residents conveniently reduce waste while minimizing the harmful impacts plastic can have on our health, wildlife, and our waterways. As Laura notes, plastic unfortunately comes with an immense amount of pollution, from its fossil fuel beginnings all the way to the leaching of chemicals into our soil, air, water, and even our bodies. Meanwhile, many of us are reliant on plastics in our day-to-day lives despite our best intentions!

“Byrd’s Filling Station was created to make it easy to replace items that would typically come in single-use plastic packaging with reusable or more sustainable alternatives, as well as offering a way to refill those containers over and over with consumable household goods.” 

— Laura Porter

Laura’s Low Waste Lifestyle Journey

Laura’s determination to reduce plastic waste all started back in 2018 with the “Plastic Free July” movement. After hearing about other people’s zero waste efforts (like fitting a year’s worth of garbage in a mason jar!) Laura set out to do a week’s worth of grocery shopping for her family of four with a commitment to zero plastic.  “I walked out of the store that day with a baguette, a dozen eggs, and a little bit of fresh produce. That was when I noticed that there was a need in the community for a store that offered better packaging alternatives.” 

After a ton of dedicated research and sampling of plastic-free products, Laura’s efforts quickly blossomed into a desire to help not only to her own family, but also to the local community. Laura began by selling plastic-free products at farmers markets and eventually switched over to home delivery during the pandemic. In June 2022, the Byrd’s Filling Station storefront opened.

Clean Products, Inside & Out 

The efforts of Byrd’s Filling Station help keep our waterways clean by offering products that are free of toxins and plastic packaging–both of which sadly end up as water pollution more often than not. 

As Laura says, “plastic is a lightweight material that can very easily become airborne and accidentally become a pollutant.” Laura went on to explain how even if someone properly places a plastic water bottle in a blue recycling bin, it can easily fall out if the bin is disturbed by wildlife, winds, or the process of a hauler emptying and transporting it to a recycling center. “In all of those scenarios, that bottle is almost guaranteed to end up in our waterways eventually… and that is assuming someone was well-intentioned and did it correctly!”

Aside from the plastic-free packaging, the products that Byrd’s sells are safe for both our little ones and our precious waterways. Laura notes, “While I have cut out products that directly expose me and my family to carcinogenic chemicals, it’s also important to understand the impact that our chosen products have as they continue downstream after we use them. That’s why at Byrd’s Filling Station, we’re picky about the products just as much as we are about the packaging, and all of our refillable laundry detergents are greywater safe!”

Taking the First Steps

Going “zero waste” may seem incredibly daunting, and may not be 100% realistic for everyone depending on lifestyle, family needs, and access to low waste products. Even the state of California is committed to reducing plastic pollution with a recently signed piece of legislation that requires all packaging to be recyclable or compostable of 2032.

While Byrd’s Filling Station has already met that goal, even Laura admits that “Zero waste is really an ideal, or a philosophy…. but what’s important is to make an effort.” 

We asked Laura for a few pieces of advice she would give to someone wanting to start their own low waste or plastic-free journey:

  1. Small steps count: “The best suggestion for changing habits is to do it slowly. Trying to change everything in your life at the same time can feel overwhelming or complex, and lead people to give up on even trying.  So swap out one or 2 things at a time, and then choose the next swap once that feels normal.”
  2. Choose where you shop wisely: “And secondly – shop at places that make it easy!  Shopping at Costco or Target just guarantees lots of plastic packaging – so pick another retailer for your needs, and be intentional about what you buy and where you shop. 
  3. Use social media: Plug #zerowaste or #plasticfree into social media a couple times and let the algorithm bring inspiration to you.”

While we don’t all need to fit an entire year’s worth of household trash in a mason jar, we can certainly do our part in reducing the amount of plastic in our lives. Byrd’s Filling Station is a fantastic example of how one person can inspire many to get involved in keeping our environment and health safe without sacrificing convenience or quality. By making simple swaps and starting small, every simple action adds up to a cleaner San Mateo County.

Every February 14th people show love and appreciation towards their loved ones. But it’s also the perfect time to show love and appreciation for our oceans and waterways. One person who does just that is Alejandra Warren, Pacifica resident and Executive Director of Plastic Free Future. The California-based non-profit organization is “dedicated to the reduction and elimination of plastic pollution  through promoting reusable alternatives and focusing on education to underserved communities.”

In particular, Plastic Free Future aims to provide zero-waste resources to Latinx communities. “The way we manufacture our ‘stuff’ and dispose of our waste…disproportionately affects black and brown communities,” said Alejandra. Thus, the organization is intentional about doing bilingual outreach to Latinx owned businesses to help them transition to more sustainable practices and doing bilingual door-to-door outreach to help residents understand how to comply with sustainability laws. They also hold bi-lingual educational events, composting workshops, and coordinate a reuse incentive program at farmers markets in San Mateo County.

Plastic Free Future’s reuse incentive program offers rewards for using reusable bags at three San Mateo County farmers markets. 

Plastic Free Future’s vision is to create a world in which “future generations can live without the burden of plastics threatening their health and environment.”

“To me, zero waste is not a trend. It is the slow process of re-learning the wise and gentle ways of Mother Earth where nothing ever goes to waste. Zero waste is about our relationship with everyone and everything. It’s an environmental and social responsibility,” said Alejandra.

How Plastic Waste Impacts Our Waterways and Health

So what does plastic pollution in our neighborhoods have to do with the health of our waterways? 

“There are very strong connections between plastic pollution and water pollution. Research … being done right here on the San Francisco Bay…has found that most plastics are entering the Bay through storm drains and wastewater. Two less obvious sources are tire particles from roads and plastic microfibers from washing our synthetic clothes.” 

Alejandra warren

There, the plastics break down over time into small particles called microplastics. Alejandra continued, “The prevalence of microplastic pollution in our waterways can have serious impacts on wildlife as plastic particles are mistaken for food and ingested. To make matters worse, microplastics absorb other toxic chemicals in the water like a sponge, making them even more toxic than the plastic itself.  These pollutants can accumulate and pass through the food chain threatening virtually every type of organism that lives or feeds in aquatic systems—including us!”

How can YOU fall in love with a plastic-free lifestyle? 

Luckily, there are actions we can all take to keep plastics out of the ocean. “As individuals we can start small and make smart decisions to reduce our own plastic consumption,” said Alejandra. 

We may not be able to go waste-free all at once, but we can dedicate ourselves to the journey. Here are some ways you can reduce plastic waste in day-to-day life:

  1. This Valentine’s Day, gift your loved ones an experience rather than a material item. 
  2. Refuse single-use plastic foodware, cups, containers, and bags at shops and restaurants.
  3. Phase out plastic packaging where possible by opting for refillable or reusable containers.
  4. Use your possessions for their full lifetime before replacing them.

For more zero-waste ideas, check out Plastic Free Future’s Zero Waste Hierarchy, a framework for identifying the most effective ways to reduce waste. 

“The scope of this planetary plastic crisis requires all of us as individuals, businesses, governments and organizations to break old habits and shift away from our current excessive consumption of plastics – especially single use plastics.”

Alejandra warren

Learn more and get involved!

To keep the love going this Valentine’s Day, and throughout the year, here are some ways you can get involved with Plastic Free Future:

Do you know any other inspirational environmental leaders in your community? We’d love to hear about them! Nominate them here.

Neil Panton began picking up litter around his home in the late 80s. While he initially focused on clearing away large pieces of trash and car parts that littered the road, he was eventually drawn to a smaller but very pervasive type of litter—cigarette butts. 

“I’m sure most motorists or passers-by wouldn’t notice them,” Neil observed. But as someone who enjoys slowing down to take walks in the outdoors, Neil tends to notice these often overlooked bits of trash. “I’m…aware of how long [cigarette butts] last in the environment and the hazards they pose to many critters,” he said. Cigarette butts can take up to 10 years to decompose in the environment and they make up 34% of the total collected litter in California.

“There’s an immediacy to doing cleanup work, right down to the smallest cigarette butt. You can see the results of your efforts right away. I take morning walks, and about every third or fourth day I’ll take a small bag and picker-upper with me. The other days I get to enjoy a litter-free environment.“

Neil Panton

Engaging and inspiring the community 

Photo of San Gregorio State Beach by the San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center

After moving to San Gregorio, Neil continued to clean up trash and cigarette butts in his community and also engaged his neighbors in the effort. 

Through the Adopt-A-Highway program, Neil adopted two stretches of highway and became responsible for trash removal and vegetation control along a total of eight miles of highway. In 2016, he formed a group of volunteers to help remove invasive grasses along these highways in the San Gregorio watershed while also picking up litter. “There is no shortage of cigarette butts and tobacco products along the highway,” he found.

Neil also got involved with the San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center (SGERC), a local non-profit whose mission is to preserve and protect habitat for endangered species of the Santa Cruz Mountains bioregion. He engaged SGERC members in picking up cigarette butts around their homes and currently helps educate his community about litter prevention through information booths at community events.

How many butts get chucked?

With the approach of Coastal Cleanup Day this year and the focus on quantifying how much trash we keep out of our waterways, Neil became curious about just how many cigarette butts he collects. He began to count the butts and found that about 1,335 butts fit in a 1-gallon water jug (in case you were curious). Since he started counting, he’s filled one jug and has started filling another.  

Through the Pacific Beach Coalition, Neil sends the collected cigarette butts to Terracycle, a company that recycles cigarette filters into products such as decking, plastic shipping pallets, and storage containers. 

In addition to the direct impact that Neil and his volunteers have by keeping cigarette butts out of our waterways, Neil has also inspired his neighbors to be more mindful of litter. “I think my neighbors see me cleaning up and make an effort to keep their property front clean too. Friends and neighbors pass me on the highway and honk and wave. I think they’re appreciative of the effort,” said Neil. 

“I…believe in the power of everyone doing a small part, and together we have a large impact. It’s too easy to say that others will do it, it’s not our job, but if you want to be a part of your community, this is a great way to do it.”

Neil Panton

Learn more and get involved!

If Neil’s efforts have inspired you, here are some ways you can get involved in keeping our waterways clean of cigarette butts and other litter:

Do you know any other inspirational environmental leaders in your community? We’d love to hear about them! Nominate them here.

In 1999, surfers in San Mateo County saw their beloved beaches threatened by environmental pollution and degradation. They took action and came together to form a local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, Surfrider San Mateo County (Surfrider SMC), which engages the community in protecting our oceans and advocates for solutions. 

Now, 22 years later, the organization includes “local surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers,  marine biologists tide-poolers, and basically people who love the ocean,” says Britt Bensen, Vice Chair of Surfrider SMC. The organization is one of more than 80 Surfrider Foundation chapters across the country, which form a network of over 1 million supporters and volunteers. 

“Surfrider SMC is an all-volunteer group committed to protecting the more than 50 miles of San Mateo County  coastline in between San Francisco and Santa Cruz counties.”

— Britt Bensen

Surfrider SMC protects our oceans in many ways: through youth education, monitoring water pollution, partnering with local businesses to reduce single-use plastics, and engaging the public in beach cleanups. Through their organized beach cleanups, they have kept thousands of pounds of trash out of the ocean. 

Protecting the ocean isn’t just about the environment—it’s also about people. Surfrider SMC sees access to safe and clean beaches as an equity issue. “We have learned the incredible value of open, outdoor space with COVID and the unfortunate wildfires and the corresponding smoke over recent years,” says Bensen. “We hope our efforts have made our coastline accessible to all.”  

Blue Water Task Force

Just one of Surfrider SMC’s many programs is the Blue Water Task Force. They measure bacteria levels at beaches and in coastal creeks, then compare them to federal water quality standards. This allows them to alert the public of any health risks and to raise awareness about water pollution issues.  

“We currently test 6 sites along the Pacific Ocean every week and publish results on our social media accounts,” says Bensen.

If you are interested in getting involved the Blue Task Force, attend the next Surfrider SMC chapter meeting or social.

Coastal Cleanup Day and How to Help

One way that you can get involved and help Surfrider SMC keep pollution out of our waterways and ocean is to get involved in Coastal Cleanup Day. On Saturday, September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to noon this year, you can join a global community of people helping to keep trash out of the ocean.

Here in San Mateo County, there are over 50 cleanup events to join. Surfrider SMC is holding a beach cleanup for Coastal Cleanup Day at Poplar Beach from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on September 18.

For more information and any updates, please visit Surfrider San Mateo’s website. 

Other Ways to Get Involved

“As we’re all volunteers, we’re 100% dependent on neighbors all over San Mateo County dedicating whatever time they have to our programs and campaigns.”

— Britt Bensen

Apart from Coastal Cleanup Day, there are many ways to get involved with Surfrider SMC throughout the year. 

  • Beach Cleanups: Visit Surfrider SMC’s event calendar to find additional beach cleanups to join throughout the year. 
  • Take On a Volunteer Role: If you want to get more involved, you can take on a leadership or support position in event planning, communications, volunteer recruitment, and more. Contact chair@smc.surfrider.org if you’re interested!
  • Follow: You can stay up to date with Surfrider SMC by following them on Facebook or Instagram  @surfridersanmateo. You can also email communications@smc.surfrider.org to be added to their newsletter mailing list.
  • Listen: Listen to Surfrider California’s podcast “Protect & Enjoy” on your preferred podcast platform. 
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