Water You Waiting For? An Introduction to Rain Gardens

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
12:00–1:00 p.m.
What: Lunch & Learn on Zoom with Grow Native Massachusetts 

Curious about rain gardens and how they can turn stormwater into a solution rather than a problem? Join us for a virtual Lunch & Learn with local ecologist Harley Monteiro for an introduction to rain gardens as a form of do-it-yourself ecosystem restoration.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• Why rain gardens matter for ecosystem (& community) health
• How to identify the right location for a rain garden in the landscape
• How to choose plants that maximize beauty with ecological function, based on site conditions

Whether you’re a homeowner, land manager, or simply rain-curious, this program will give you the tools and inspiration to let your landscape work with water, not against it. 

This program is a collaboration between Ipswich River Watershed Association and Grow Native Mass. 

About the Speaker
Harley Monteiro is a local ecologist with years of experience in wetlands restoration through the National Park Service, Parterre Ecological, and hands-on restoration projects in his hometown, Wilmington. His work bridges science, practice, and community-based stewardship.

About Grow Native Massachusetts
Grow Native inspires people across Massachusetts to take action on behalf of native plants and the diversity of life they support. Through native plant sales, workshops, and partnerships with local nurseries, Grow Native works to make native plant access and knowledge accessible to everyone. Grounded in the belief that every garden matters and every landscape counts, their work highlights how small, community-based actions can add up to meaningful conservation throughout the Commonwealth.