Rain Barrel & Native Plant Sale

Rain barrels and native plants can both help capture rainwater before it flows into storm drains, but they can be hard to purchase locally. 

This spring, CRWC hosted a native plant and rain barrel sale to make it easier for residents of the watershed to connect with plant and rain barrel suppliers and equip them with what they needed to implement green infrastructure at home.  

Kahlan Robinson, Huron Pines Americorps member serving with CRWC in 2024, shared some of the benefits of rain barrels, “Rain barrels are important because they collect water for use at a later time. Capturing Stormwater allows for slower infiltration of water into the ground. Providing time for plants and soil to remediate pollutants instead of warm stormwater flowing directly into rivers and streams.” 

She also outlined some of the ways native plants help mitigate the impact of stormwater, “Native plants provide so many benefits. They have deeper roots that increase water infiltration and help filter pollutants from stormwater, they provide food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and they are beautiful! Additionally, they are lower maintenance and require less watering than non-native plants.” 

While hosting a native plant sale isn’t new at CRWC, this was the first time that the sale included both a pre-order and in-person component. It was also the first year that CRWC connected residents and program participants, like residents in the RainSmart Rebates program, to a rain barrel supplier as part of the native plant sale.  

CRWC staff remarked that this year was one of CRWC’s most successful sales yet, with more than 750 plants and 50 rain barrels sold! 

Thank you to all those who support the Clinton River watershed and improve the health of local lakes, rivers, & streams by landscaping with native plants and installing rain barrels. 

Author(S): Cole Pachucki