Planting Seeds of Resilience: East Palo Alto Rain Gardens
“This project has been led by the community, with residents actively engaged in every step—from the design of the gardens to hosting neighborhood tours. This level of involvement has been key to the project’s success.”– Kae Jensen, CRC Contract Manager
On a sunlit day in East Palo Alto, a small group of neighbors, climate resilience specialists, ecologists, rain garden ambassadors, and a little girl preparing for her 2nd birthday gathered in Carolina Zubiri’s front yard to admire the thriving herb garden atop her rain barrel. This catchment system plays a crucial role in a larger rain garden installation, designed to significantly mitigate the effects of stormwater flooding. Installed six months earlier by Fresh Approach’s team of staff and rain garden ambassadors, this rain garden quickly became more than just a flood mitigation tool—it became part of a growing network of community climate resilience projects that have gained momentum in recent years as vulnerability to extreme weather events, among other risks, has intensified. As droughts give way to sudden downpours, leading to unpredictable water bills, yard damage, and threats to pollinator habitats, Carolina’s rain garden stands as an effective and inspiring defense for both her home and her neighborhood.
A Community Climate Justice Initiative
The idea of cultivating rain gardens throughout East Palo Alto was led by the community itself and is grounded in collaboration. In 2019, Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) conducted a series of workshops, surveys, and community meetings to identify the residents’ environmental concerns and priorities. Community members expressed interest in projects that could mitigate flood risks, create employment opportunities, improve air quality, provide habitats for local wildlife, and beautify their neighborhoods—in essence, to make East Palo Alto more resilient.
With those needs in mind, the project worked with HighTide Intelligence to collect crucial data modeling the projected impact of the gain garden installations.
The Rain Garden Project is more than just a local solution—it’s a potential model for other communities facing similar climate challenges and an important step toward environmental justice for East Palo Alto. It’s worth noting some of the existing environmental inequities.
Research from 2021 by Stanford University found that East Palo Alto is one of several coastal communities in San Mateo County at significant risk of financial instability due to flooding. The study projected that by 2060, 62% of households in East Palo Alto could face displacement as a result of these flooding events.
As CRC Director of Programs, Cade Cannedy noted in a previous article, “These types of solutions are, fundamentally, an opportunity to pay reparations for the years of environmental burden that have been concentrated in these communities and build a world and a society that are much more just and better for everyone.”
Nourishing Equity with Community Ambassadors
As the project continues to grow, the focus remains on community involvement. The Rain Garden Ambassadors— local residents trained to assist with installations and maintenance—play a crucial role in spreading awareness and ensuring the gardens’ long-term success.
In September 2023, the Rain Garden Project took a significant step forward with the recruitment of five Garden Ambassadors, four of whom have deep roots in the EPA community. These ambassadors, trained in land restoration and plant maintenance, play a pivotal role in the project’s success. They coordinate site visits, oversee installations, assist with maintenance, and conduct outreach to educate their neighbors about the environmental benefits of rain gardens.
“It was really great getting to see areas of EPA in a new light and perspective,” Ambassador Sydnei Taylor reflected when asked about her experience in the program. “We had a great group of people working with us! I joined to connect both with the people and the native landscape of my community.”
The ambassadors’ efforts are already yielding results. By April 2024, 60% of the planned rain garden installations were completed, despite challenges such as confirming homeowners for installations and managing seasonal weather conditions. Their hands-on learning and growing expertise reflect a community increasingly empowered to take the lead in environmental stewardship.
The Road Ahead
“We’ve already seen reduced flooding around some of the homes where this used to be an issue. It feels good to make a tangible difference in the community.”– Anthony Otonari, Fresh Approach Community Garden Program Specialist
With a goal of installing 25 rain gardens and water cistern systems by 2025, the long-term mission is ambitious: to expand rain garden installations across the peninsula, aiming for enough installation to collectively create a network of natural flood defenses. Data from HighTide Intelligence indicates that rain gardens have the most communal benefits at the scale of thousands of installations, making the first rain gardens a beacon of how the future could be.
To start, the CRC is in the process of coordinating a grant with the hopes of installing 300 more rain gardens.
Through the collective efforts of residents, organizations, and local government, East Palo Alto is setting an example of how communities can come together to tackle climate challenges head-on. The rain gardens are not just a solution to flooding; they are a testament to the power of community-driven action in building a more resilient future.
To learn more about the rain garden project, whether for your home or your neighborhood, fill out the contact form on the CRC website or reach out to Kae by email at [email protected] or by phone (408) 502-6526.