Community Meeitngs Fall 2026
Southeast Raleigh Meeting
Urban Sustainability Solutions recently hosted a series of community meetings for our Raleigh-area Growing More Than Rain Gardens school teams, bringing together students, parents, guardians, and teachers as we prepare for another exciting fall season. These gatherings gave students and families an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet fellow participants, and explore the many ways youth can gain hands-on experience in stormwater management, environmental stewardship, and workforce development.
At each meeting, participants took part in our interactive Growing More Than Rain Gardens role-playing activity, where they broke into groups to learn how municipalities, schools, students, homeowners, and nonprofit organizations work together to address stormwater challenges. The activity helped students and families understand how green infrastructure projects are planned, funded, installed, and maintained while highlighting the unique role each partner plays in creating healthier communities.
Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School
The Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School meeting welcomed approximately 40 students and family members. It was great to see so many new faces. Since partnering with USS in Fall 2025, our teacher team has done a fantastic job getting students interested in our programs and keeping them engaged and coming back for more.
Millbrook High Meeting
Millbrook Magnet High School
Our meeting at Millbrook Magnet High School was our largest of the season, with approximately 80 students and family members in attendance. It was exciting to see both familiar and new faces as students signed up for upcoming opportunities. Many new participants enrolled in our Introduction to Rain Gardens program, while returning students continued their journey by registering for the Cistern Course. The enthusiasm from students and families demonstrated the strong interest in hands-on environmental learning and career exploration opportunities.
South Garner High School
Approximately 40 students and family members attended the South Garner High School meeting. This year marks our largest Intro to Rain Gardens cohort yet at South Garner, reflecting the continued growth of the program and the strong support from both teachers and families. We were excited to see so many new students eager to get involved, as well as the support from parents.
South Garner Meeting
These community meetings are an important first step in building connections between students, families, teachers, and community partners. We are grateful for the continued support of our dedicated educators and excited to welcome another outstanding group of students into the program.
As we begin the fall season, we look forward to watching returning students advance their skills, helping new participants discover the world of green infrastructure, and continuing to grow the partnerships that make Growing More Than Rain Gardens such a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
