Sustainability Practices & Efforts
Rain Gardens
Over 90 rain gardens have been planted along streets throughout town, as well as at the Town Hall. A properly designed and installed rain garden captures stormwater and allows it to slowly soak into the ground. Layers of soil and water-loving plants naturally filter and remove pollutants.
A rain garden can absorb several times more rainwater than a lawn. Rain gardens are easy to maintain, and after the plants are well-established rarely require watering. In a well-designed rain garden, the water soaks into the soil within 24 hours, too quickly for mosquitoes to hatch and grow. The more rain gardens in your yard, the less lawn you must weed, feed, and mow. Rain gardens also attract and create a habitat for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Resources
The Town of Edmonston Rain Garden Map
Explore our interactive Rain Garden Map and learn about their development, mapping, and more!
Native Tree Canopy
Species of large trees that once flourished in this area, including oaks, maples, and sycamores, have been restored as much as possible. A large canopy will increase the natural filtration of airborne pollutants, attract more watershed birds to diversify our local ecosystem and keep insects under control. The canopy also provides more shade to decrease the ‘urban heat island’ effect. Smaller plantings, including shrubs and flowers native to Maryland, are prevalent.
Resources
Efficient Street Lighting Powered by Clean Energy
New high-efficiency LED streetlights use 70% less energy than traditional streetlights, resulting in substantial saving. Also, the Town purchases wind energy rather than dirty and unhealthy power from coal burning.
“Don’t Dump” Storm Drain Marking
Storm drains throughout town have been clearly labeled to encourage residents not to dump refuse since the storm drain system discharges directly into the Anacostia, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.
Resources
Town Hall Energy Audit
An energy audit was completed for the Town Hall and Police Station and the following recommendations were implemented:
All fluorescent light bulbs have been upgraded to energy-saving models that are more efficient.
All exterior building and parking lot lighting changed to LED lighting.
An Eco-Star energy-saving white roof was installed. A white roof absorbs less heat than a dark roof, meaning lower air conditioning bills.
Solar panels were installed on the Town Hall, providing sustainable energy to the building.
Ten Highest Valued Trees
Each of these highly valued trees are located throughout the town:
| Location | Tree ID | Common Name | Genus | Species | DBH | Tree Asset Value $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 Crittenden St. | 97 | Oak-Chestnut | Quercus | prinus | 44 | 25862 |
| 5100 Block Emerson St. | 146 | Oak-Willow | Quercus | phellos | 36 | 19168 |
| Gallatin/47th Avenue | 319 | Sycamore-American | Platanus | occidentalis | 42 | 18767 |
| Anacostia River Park | 20 | Sweetgum-Common | Liquidambar | styraciflua | 29 | 15770 |
| 19 | Sweetgum-Common | Liquidambar | styraciflua | 28 | 14701 | |
| 53rd Ave/Kenilworth | 89 | Oak-Pin | Quercus | palustris | 33 | 14248 |
| 46th Avenue/Ingraham | 293 | Sweetgum-Common | Liquidambar | styraciflua | 40 | 14003 |
| 4800 Block 51st Avenue | 154 | Oak-Willow | Quercus | phellos | 29 | 12997 |
| Lafayette/Ingraham Str | 305 | Maple-Silver | Acer | saccharinum | 36 | 11501 |
| 4900 Block 52nd Place | 140 | Oak-Pin | Quercus | palustris | 33 | 10177 |