HBC Rain Gardens served as a backdrop of success for a $2.8 million grant announcement by the Chesapeake Bay Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 

Thirty-two environmental projects received funding to develop conservation plans, preserve natural lands and implement restoration practices throughout the Chesapeake Bay's six-state watershed area.  HBC rain gardens, planted in June 2008 through a partnership with the Spa Creek Conservancy, reduce pollution flowing into Spa Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Rev. Henry Green welcomed the crowd and invited everyone to tour the site to see how the beauty of the plants functions with great purpose to filter contaminants from runoff water.  Maryland's US Senator Ben Cardin spoke of how the Heritage Rain Gardens are a worthy example of success in environmental efforts.  Representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Program, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, and the National Oceanic NOAA and US Senator Ben Cardin took part in this event.

Photo above: Rev. Green welcomes guests

Photo right: US Senator Ben Cardin

For more photos of this event, please see our Picture Gallery.

For an archive article on the planting of the Heritage Rain Gardens, follow this link.