Growing More Than Rain Gardens

Urban Sustainability Solutions is a nonprofit organization that relies on expert practitioners to provide urban ecosystem services training for teachers and their students using classroom tested, hands-on, STEM curricula. Our long term goal is the development of a workforce that can design and install resilient and sustainable solutions in concert with their communities throughout North Carolina.

Urban Sustainability Solutions recognizes the disproportionate impact that the neglect of critical ecosystem services has had on Communities of Color. As an essential part of our educational mission, we also recognize the importance of incorporating educational experiences that bring students into their communities to provide sound and affordable sustainability solutions for ordinary citizens. 

Our education program employs a stormwater curriculum we co-authored in 2013 under the aegis of the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics (NCSSM), and designed for Title 1 schools. It is available for public use here.

Currently, this program is only offered for students and teachers located in Orange and Wake County, North Carolina. But we plan to expand into nearby counties in the near future.

Teacher Workshop

  • North Carolina Cooperative Extension Staff will guide teachers through a course on how to create a rain garden project from start to finish. Participants will be trained in a classroom setting before going out into the field and building a rain garden in a predetermined area of need.

  • Teachers will work in small groups to assess and analyze a case study and create their own plan based on the skills learned in the training.

  • We look for ten Occupational Course of Study (OCS) and Exceptional Children (EC) teachers to take part in our teacher workshops. We then work with teachers to host an afterschool program for up to 50 students.

  • The program is offered to students ranging in age between 14 to 21 years old. The curriculum specifically targets students who are not performing at desired grade levels in math and science and introduces the topic of urban stormwater runoff and its impact on our streams.

  • The hands-on curriculum, based on our experience, leads to improved student performance in traditional STEM curricula, and improves environmental literacy and stewardship.

Student Apprenticeships

What the kids are saying.

  • "I now see connected and not connected water everywhere, even in my neighborhood. I think about how I can improve my house. I also notice and am aware of the first flush during storms."

  • "I loved the days we were outside working or where we got to hear from people in those professions. Actually seeing the product that we helped put together was amazing."

  • "My understanding of stormwater has changed in a way that I now know how to survey where runoff is most potent. I have gained knowledge of how rainwater affects the environment and ways to mitigate the effects with rain gardens and other practices. Now, I plan on using these applications in the real world to help aid people in living more sustainably."

  • “This program made me think more about how the implementation of green infrastructure can be used to reduce the environmental consequences of human activity. It was also very impactful to me to see the direct consequences of stormwater runoff.”

  • “I appreciated learning about something that impacts the environment in a way that I never considered; and getting to actively participate in solving the issue.”

  • “I enjoyed learning about the environment and making friends in the process.”

  • “It has given me a clear idea of things we can do to balance the negative effects of our infrastructure on the environment.”

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See how your donations benefit local teachers and students!

Whether it’s $1 or $100, it all adds up. The generous donations we receive fuel our implementation of teacher workshops and student apprenticeship programs. Check below to see a breakdown of costs.

  • Goal: $5,000

    Our goal is to give 10 local teachers a $500 stipend for attending our teacher training workshop. Teachers will also be eligible for C.E.U. Technology credits.

  • Goal: $1,250

    North Carolina Cooperative Extension Staff will guide teachers through a course on how to create a rain garden project from start to finish. Participants will be trained in a classroom setting before going out into the field and building a rain garden in a predetermined area of need.

  • Each student that participates in the full program receives a stipend of $220 along with invaluable in-the-field experience.

Like what you see?

Click below to learn more about how you can help us provide educational support for our youth and serve low-income communities.