Landscaping Changes in the Sligo Headwaters

One effective means of capturing stormwater is by replacing a portion of your lawn with a natural landscape. According to the Maryland Department of Environment website, by using environmentally friendly plantings, you can absorb fourteen times more rain than with a grass lawn. Plus, a natural landscape does not require fertilizers For more information see Maryland Department of Environment Protection's Why Stormwater Matters: Impacts of Runoff on Maryland's Watersheds.

Several families located in the Sligo Creek headwaters have agreed to reduce the turf area on their property. Three community-landscaping projects occurred in 2004. In addition to landscaping, several rain barrels have been added. These rain barrels provide water to the new landscaped areas. For more information on the landscaping co-op, click here.