Contractors working with applicants/participants in the MSD Rainscaping Small Grants Program and/or the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Rainscaping Cost-Share Program should refer to this page for information, resources, and updates pertaining to the programs. If you cannot find the information you are looking for on this page, the program webpages, or the Missouri Botanical Garden's online Rainscaping Guide, please contact the Rainscaping Team at [email protected] or call 314-577-0202.
To receive updates and invitations to contractor events and trainings, register HERE
Calendar
January 2026 - Contractor Happy Hour
February 2026 - MSD Small Grants Landowner Orientation, DCWA Rainscaping Cost-Share Landowner Orientation (in-person and virtual)
May 2026 - MSD Small Grants Landowner Orientation
August 2026 - MSD Small Grants Landowner Orientation
November 2026 - MSD Small Grants Landowner Orientation (virtual)
December 2026/January 2027 - Contractor Orientation (Required for Program Listing)
Rainscaping Program Information and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions - Review this list of frequently asked questions relating to both programs.
Nativars and Mislabeled Native Plants - Both programs expect designs will include at least 70% native plants. Most nativars count as native, but some do not. Check this list to confirm which plants we do not consider native through these programs.
Program Listing Requirements - We maintain contractor lists for both the MSD Small Grants and DCWA Cost-Share Programs. If you would like your company to appear on one or both of these lists, refer to these listing requirements.
General Rainscaping Resources
Grow Native! - Grow Native! is the native plant marketing and education program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Visit their site for access to resources such as a robust native plant database, top 10 plant lists, native landscape plans, and more.
Native Plant Resources - Use this database maintained by staff at Shaw Nature Reserve for access on information on a variety of topics surrounding native plants, such as edible native plants, management, resources for urban landowners, etc.
Missouri Botanical Garden's Rainscaping Guide - Learn more about rainscaping in general and find technical resources for design, installation, and maintenance.
Professional Development Opportunities
Grow Native! Professional Certification - Professional Certification offered by Grow Native! is a voluntary program that provides recognition of an individual’s knowledge and skills related to working with native plants in a professional capacity.
MPF Webinars - The Missouri Prairie Foundation hosts a variety of educational webinars throughout the year. Register for upcoming webinars on their webpage, or visit their YouTube channel to watch recordings. Visit their events page for upcoming in-person learning opportunities!
Shaw Series - The Shaw Series hosts informal events that bring people together to share experience and insight around 21st century issues such as community landscape planning and storm water management. Themes vary from municipal planning to public perceptions of native landscapes, developing successful landscape specifications, maintenance plans and more.