The GREEN (Green, Resilient, Energy Efficient Neighborhoods) SGV Collaborative, led by Day One in partnership with ActiveSGV, Sustainable Claremont, TreePeople, GRID Alternatives, and the Council for Watershed Health, has secured a $20 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in US history—GREEN SGV will support the implementation of seven strategic initiatives to reduce pollution and increase community climate resilience across our most burdened communities:

1. Tree Planting and Fruit Tree Giveaways led by TreePeople to cool our neighborhoods, clean the air, improve local food security, add habitat for native birds and wildlife, and enhance community resilience.

2. Green Schoolyard projects at 10 public school campuses by Sustainable Claremont, integrating composting, rain gardens, and native plants to improve biodiversity and air quality, mitigate urban heat islands, capture and clean stormwater, and provide healthier, cooler campuses for local students.

3. Electric Family/Cargo Bike Incentives and Bicycle Repair Stations overseen by ActiveSGV, aimed at reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and accelerating public awareness and adoption of affordable forms of zero-emission transportation.

4. Clean Casas by GRID Alternatives and Day One, deploying rooftop solar, battery storage, and induction stove technology to improve air quality and reduce emissions.

5. Clean Water Refill Stations established by Day One to minimize single-use plastic waste and promote sustainable hydration practices.

6. Rain Gardens at residential homes by ActiveSGV to capture and clean stormwater, mitigate flooding, reduce dependency on imported water, and provide habitat for wildlife via the use of native plants and trees.

7. Merced Avenue Greenway coordinated by the Council for Watershed Health to construct a multi-benefit, ‘green street’ project in South El Monte integrating stormwater capture, protected bike/rollways, native trees, and pedestrian safety improvements.

The GREEN SGV Collaborative’s award-winning proposal emerged from years of collaborative efforts and community engagement, reflecting a shared commitment to tackling local environmental justice issues and championing community-driven climate action. As we move forward, the collective effort of our community partners and local residents will be vital in realizing the potential of these projects. Join us as we work together to create a greener and healthier environment for all our residents.

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Rain Gardens in High-Need Communities

Disclaimer: please note that this program will only continue when the federal freeze on Inflation Reduction Act grants is lifted.

In 2025, ActiveSGV will begin installing rain gardens featuring California native plants in residential homes in high-need communities in the San Gabriel Valley.

What’s a Rain Garden?

A rain garden is designed to collect rainwater from roofs, driveways, patios, or walkways. Rocks, logs, and native plants can be incorporated to resemble a natural dry pond or stream.

What Are California Native Plants?

California native plants have grown in the region for thousands of years. They are adapted to the local climate, soil, and other native wildlife and are the foundation of healthy ecosystems.

Benefits of Rain Gardens

Rain Garden Participation Requirements

• The property is in the San Gabriel Valley and is considered eligible by the US EPA (home must be located in a blue highlighted neighborhood on this map).
• The property owner must commit to supporting plant/tree establishment via watering and general site care. If renting, permission must be obtained from the property owner.
• The property must have a front yard with sufficient space for a rain garden installation, ideally between 500 and 1,500 sq ft. Front yards as small as 250 sq ft and as large as 3,000 sq ft will be considered.
• The property owner must grant permission for organization volunteers to support the implementation of rain gardens and help educate, inform, and train SGV residents on how to construct them.
• Property owners must permit ActiveSGV staff to photograph the implementation process. This will increase public awareness of this nature-based strategy for reducing pollution, mitigating extreme weather risks, conserving water, saving money, and supporting biodiversity.
• While there will be no cost for homeowners to participate, we anticipate there will be more interest in this program than available supply, and priority will be granted to the following:
  • Households composed of older adults, low-income residents, and/or persons on fixed incomes
  • Participants with one or more neighbors who also wish to participate and meet the guidelines ('neighbor' is loosely defined as within a three-block radius).

If you like to save water, support wildlife, fight climate change, experience seasonal change, and cultivate a sense of place, apply here to transform your landscape, lawn, or yard into a California Native Rain Garden.

For more information about the Rain Garden program, please contact us at raingardens@activesgv.org