Are you interested in supporting water quality, soil health, and pollinators with your yard?
VLAWMO has funding available for installing water quality improvement projects, also known as Best Management Practices (BMPs), that benefit our lakes, streams, and wetlands. Landscape grant programs include Soil Health, Landscape Level 1, and Landscape Level 2.
Funding is reserved for those who live within the VLAWMO watershed. Confirm your eligibility by visiting the watershed map to the right.
Grant funding is limited and renewed annually. Applications will be accepted until grant funding is depleted on a first come, first served basis.
Site visits must be scheduled prior to submitting an application for any of VLAWMO's grant programs. To begin the grant application process, please submit the interest form below to request a site visit at your property.
Application Process
The first step in applying for a VLAWMO landscape grant is requesting a site visit with staff. Please complete the form below to request a site visit. If you have questions about the site visit form, contact staff.
To access a single-page view of this form, click here.
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Watershed Map
Find out if you live or work in the VLAWMO watershed through our interactive web map.
Landscape Grant Programs
Learn more about VLAWMO's different landscape grant programs. At your site visit, staff will share which program(s) your project qualifies for and will direct you to the corresponding application form.
Soil Health Grant
Maximum $1,000 | $1,250 if within priority zone
The Soil Health Grant Program funds small-scale projects that protect and enhance water quality and soil health, create pollinator habitat, and help conserve water. Projects that provide a significant water quality benefit may qualify for the Landscape Level 1 or Level 2 grant programs.
This is a reimbursement program that may fund up to 75% of the cost of project materials and approved labor, up to an amount of $1,000, or $1,250 if within a Targeted Priority Zone.
Click on the button above to view and download the Soil Health policy.
Find examples of eligible projects in the policy.
Landscape Level 1
Maximum $5,000 | $7,500 for curb cut rain gardens
Landscape Level 1 Grant Policy
The Landscape Level 1 Grant Program funds Best Management Practices (BMP) projects that improve water quality and conserve water. This is a reimbursement program that may fund 25-50% of the cost of materials and approved labor, up to $5,000 or 75% up to $7,500 for curb cut rain gardens.
Click the button above to view and download the Landscape Level 1 policy.
Find examples of eligible projects in the policy.
Landscape Level 2
Landscape Level 2 Grant Policy
The Landscape Level 2 (LL2) Grant Program provides funding for large-scale or highly beneficial projects that significantly improve water quality, increase flood storage, conserve water, or provide regional benefits in partnership with municipalities, public agencies, private businesses, homeowner's associations, or nonprofit organizations.
This grant may provide 25-75% of eligible project costs, or up to 90% for highly beneficial projects. Examples of eligible projects can be found to the right and on the Landscape Level 2 policy; click the button above to view and download.
Schedule a pre-application meeting with VLAWMO staff to verify project eligibility.
Find examples of eligible projects in the policy.
Project Resources
Sample templates
Other resources
- Copies of a detailed rain garden guidebook are available while supplies last at the VLAWMO office. Contact staff if you're interested in obtaining one of these books for reference.
- Blue Thumb offers a free online learning series called Resilient Yards. These self-paced courses cover a variety of clean water project types.
- VLAWMO brings educational workshops to the watershed each year. Visit the event calendar to see upcoming opportunities taking place nearby.
Learn more about native plants and sharpen your skills at identifying weeds.
Links
Apps
There are a number of free apps that can help you find a plant or identify one out in the field. Below is a non-exhaustive list of apps previous grant recipients have utilized:
- Picture This
- Plant Net
- Seek by iNaturalist
Maintenance is key to a successful project. Building maintenance habits from the beginning prevents this necessary work from piling up.
Check back soon for maintenance resources.
As a member of Blue Thumb, VLAWMO is connected to a network of specialists in the fields of landscape design, restoration, and native plants.
Visit the Blue Thumb Partner Finder to find more resources on designing a new project, renovating an existing one, or ordering native plants.