Landowners in University City have been eligible to participate in a RainScape Rebates program since January 7, 2013. The RainScape Rebates Program is a voluntary rebate program that financially assists landowners in the Deer Creek Watershed wishing to landscape their yards to improve storm water management. Seventy-five percent of the funds will be reserved for residential landowners; the remaining 25% will be available for schools, churches, businesses, and parks. The maximum rebate per site is 75% of documented expenses up to $2,000.

The purpose of the program is to improve water quality in Deer Creek and its tributaries by installing landscaping that helps capture rain where it falls, instead of allowing water to run off-site. RainScaping can also be employed to solve a drainage problem, increase aesthetic appeal, improve property values, attract birds & butterflies, and more. Landowners may select from a variety of RainScaping options, including planting a rain garden, installing a rain barrel, amending soil, and/or replacing lawn grass with trees, shrubs, and low-maintenance ground cover.

In the first round of the program 60 projects were awarded funding totaling about $90.000. Five of those projects are located in University City. Types of projects awarded include rain gardens, rain water harvesting, bioswales, lawn alternatives and woodland restoration. All 60 projects will be installed throughout 13 municipalities in the Deer Creek Watershed.

A round 2 of funding has been added! Download the Round two application

Sign up for the email newsletter to receive the lastest information on the program.

Download an application for the program and access additional information about the program from the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance at deercreekalliance.org.

Sign up for the E-newsletter to receive information directly from Deer Creek. The RainScape Rebates Program hard copy application forms are also available at University City Hall (information table on the 1st and 3rd Floor) and at the University City Library.

Important Dates for the 2nd Round of Funding:
May 15, 2013 - Updated applications become available
late May/June 2013 - Required contractor and optional landowner workshops
July 15, 2013 - Application deadline
August 15, 2013 - Qualified applicants are notified of funding

Important Dates for the 3rd Round of Funding: 
November 15, 2013 - Updated applications become available
January 2014 - Required contractor and optional landowner workshops 
February 5, 2014 - Application deadline 
March 15, 2014 - Qualified applicants are notified of funding 

Workshops will be held at Frontenac City Hall, 2nd Floor Training Room, 10555 Clayton Road, Frontenac, MO 63131. Pre-registration is required to attend.

For more information or to register for FREE workshops, contact 314-577-0202 or email .  Find out more helpful information from the Missouri Botanical Garden's online RainScaping Guide

The Deer Creek Watershed Alliance is a project of Missouri Botanical Garden; the RainScape Rebates rebate program is funded by Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation, participating municipalities, and US EPA Region 7 through the Department of Natural Resources (sub grant number G11-NPS-15), under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.

The River Des Peres Watershed Coalition aims to improve, protect, and maintain the River des Peres and its watersheds as a vital natural and cultural resource in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Coalition has information about rain gardens, rain barrels, and other rainscaping projects. Find out more about ongoing programs and activities at River Des Peres Watershed Coalition