Grant Partners Visit Carrboro Project Site
As part of our recent Growing More Than Rain Gardens program with Carrboro's E3 (Empowering Excellence thru Exploration) Summer Camp, Urban Sustainability Solutions had the opportunity to welcome several county, state, and federal partners to see the program in action and learn more about the impact of our work in local communities. Representatives from the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ), EPA Region 4, Nonpoint Source (NPS), NC DEQ Division of Water Resources, and Orange County Community Climate Action Grant (OCCCA) were all in attendance.
USS Founder Michael Dupree guided guests through the project sites, highlighting completed stormwater improvements and demonstrating how our programs connect environmental education, workforce development, and community service. Sixty percent of funding came from the Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act, administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the remaining 40% of funding coming from the OCCCA grant.
Visitors were able to observe students as they applied classroom concepts in the field, from site assessment and rain garden design to green infrastructure installation and maintenance.
The tour showcased how young people are gaining hands-on experience while helping address real stormwater challenges throughout their communities. Guests also learned how stormwater education can create pathways into environmental careers while supporting healthier waterways and more resilient neighborhoods.
Their visit provided an opportunity to see firsthand how grant-supported programs are producing meaningful outcomes for students, homeowners, and local watersheds. Through initiatives like Growing More Than Rain Gardens, students are not only learning about stormwater management but are actively contributing to projects that improve water quality and strengthen community connections.
We appreciate the support and interest of our funding partners and look forward to continuing this work together to expand opportunities for environmental education, community engagement, and watershed restoration across North Carolina.
