Rain Garden Tour de Bellingham Saturday June 1 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Rain Garden Tour de Bellingham will showcase a variety of local rain gardens, showing homeowners a new way to help prevent stormwater pollution in their yards. Participants will board a bus with local rain garden experts and begin a tour of rain gardens around Lake Whatcom and throughout Bellingham.

Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with plants that allow stormwater to be captured and absorbed. Rain gardens function like native forests to filter polluted runoff, and help reduce flooding. When planted with the right types of plants, rain gardens also attract birds, butterflies and bees.

Rain garden and stormwater experts from local organizations are collaborating to bring homeowners this comprehensive guided tour, including RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Connections, the City of Bellingham, and WSU Whatcom County Extension. The tour cost is $20 to cover the cost of transportation and lunch. Register at http://raingardentour.brownpapertickets.com to reserve your space and find out where to meet the bus. Contact Lee First with questions at 360-733-8307. Click here to read the event flier.