The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) is spotlighting our partnership with the Greenscapes North Shore Coalition and the important work the group does to address stormwater management.

The Coalition is a collaboration of partner organizations and municipal members dedicated to stormwater and watershed protection. The group, led by MVPC, the Ipswich River Watershed Association, and Salem Sound Coastwatch, supports a total of 27 municipal members, including nine communities in the Merrimack Valley.

Since its founding in 2007, Greenscapes has provided outreach and education to help municipalities meet water-related regulatory requirements, such as the MS4 stormwater and Water Management Act permits. Through this partnership, communities across the North Shore have benefited from coordinated education, resources, and public engagement.

Greenscapes shares information on stormwater and watershed issues through a variety of formats: rack cards, videos, social media posts, guides, brochures, trainings, events, and more. This month, we’re highlighting Greenscapes work on water conservation. Below, you’ll find tips to help you save water and make the most of every drop. For complete details and a downloadable brochure, see the flyer below.

Water conservation tips:

• Collect rainwater in a rain barrel to reuse on a sunny day – you can easily fill a 55-gallon rain barrel in just one storm.
• Water outdoor plants only when necessary as determined by the walk test and only if a watering ban is not in effect
• Set a timer to water your lawn at dawn – the best time for the health of your lawn.

If you found these tips helpful, view our full brochure with all our recommendations for water conservation here: https://greenscapes.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Greenscapes_Reduce-Water-Use.pdf

Interested in learning even more or becoming a Greenscapes Community? Visit the Greenscapes North Shore Coalition website for more educational materials and a full list of the services we offer: https://greenscapes.org/.