Home Science, LLC

This Temple University corner lot is more than a green space. It’s a rain garden. It takes dirty runoff from surrounding areas and lets plants and the soil filter it and replenish the aquifer.

A vast tree planting effort is underway in Philly with the aim of becoming an urban forest - for stormwater, for climate change, and simply for their beauty, which is seen in the great variety and abundance of species across the region.

This city rain garden diverts runoff from the street and lets it soak into the garden’s soil instead of flowing to the sewer system, where it’s often released into rivers and streams during heavy rains. The garden’s infiltration process is a key component of nature’s hydrological cycle by cleaning contaminated stormwater and recharging the aquifer. Green tools like these can be done residentially or community wide like here, which, incidentally, has drawn the interest of a curious minded little doggie named Tonka.

Green stormwater infrastructure work along Philly’s American Street corridor project has become a major improvement for the community. Aside from soaking up runoff with bio retention, the nicely designed bicycle lanes create a much needed route to significant shopping and food destinations via climate-friendly alternative transportation.

During a recent Rain Check assessment these folks were spotted helping to rebuild sidewalk flower boxes on Norris Street. The group was a combo of Fishtown Neighborhood Association folks and a nonprofit called Skype a Scientist. Philly has its own way of showing their love for green things. On the right are a few nearby examples.

Happy Earth Day!

The climate crisis impacts each US state in different ways. Common are initiatives to fight back include improved agricultural practices, greener buildings and pledges to rely 100% on clean energy.

How climate change has affected each state The 2019 United Nations IPCC report on climate change shows how global warming is altering landscapes around the world, from increased flooding and droughts to wildfires and toxic algal blooms. The United States certainly has not been spared, with each of the 50 states experiencing its own mix of im...

Contour map making with traditional instruments. The Abney Hand Level was utilized extensively for many years by the US Forestry Service in plotting trail maps. Both the Abney and the simple Johnson level were inexpensive and could be used effectively for single person surveying projects.

Urban Oasis: a water savvy patio project for Rain Check at a South Philly home, consisting of permeable pavers with depaved garden areas, initiated by Home Science and implemented GroundTec. The space was previously impervious concrete that drained to the sewer.

While our lives have changed in this, the “finest hour” of our era, many issues in our world remain the same. When the trouble subsides, the choice to keep building sustainable, healthy, mindful communities is crucial. Our strength and resilience in these times of uncertainty points to a regenerative future for humanity and the planet.

Images from the water wise and sustainable gardening exhibits this week at the Philadelphia Flower Show, including a Rain Check prototype rain garden and some DIY rain barrel ideas. Plus a compost demo with a bin full of live garbage-thriving worms.