SMRT Garden

The Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club is proud to be participating in the "100 PROJECT, 100 COUNTRIES PROJECT" as part of the 2026 Environmental Xperience at EarthX. Presented in partnership with CNN’s Call to Earth, this global showcase highlights inspiring, community driven initiatives from around the world.

Our first project is presented by our very own Co-President, Jenny Parker. SMRT Gardens are innovative street-side and parking lot gardens designed to manage stormwater by channeling runoff from streets directly into retention basins. One of these SMRT Gardens has been created at San Dieguito County Park in Del Mar, CA. Read more about how these gardens are being used to build community partnerships and protect the urban landscape.

 

SMRT (Stormwater Makes Retained Treasure) Gardens
 

SMRT Gardens are innovative street-side and parking lot gardens designed to manage stormwater by channeling runoff from streets directly into retention basins. The plants within these gardens utilize the collected water to grow, simultaneously cleaning and replenishing groundwater supplies. By integrating these gardens into urban landscapes, several environmental and community benefits are realized.

Environmental and Community Benefits
• Flooding mitigation and prevention of erosion: As longer droughts and larger storms affect our cities and storm drains, SMRT Gardens make efficient use of rainwater while cleaning and recharging groundwater.
• Cooling Urban Spaces: SMRT Gardens help lower temperatures on streets, parking lots, and sidewalks, creating cooler environments reducing the urban heat island effect.
• Wildlife Habitat: These gardens can provide vital habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, supporting urban biodiversity.
• Pollution Reduction: By filtering stormwater, SMRT Gardens take up pollutants from the streets that frequently end in waterways, lakes and oceans. SMRT Garden plants also clean the city air.
• Climate mitigation: SMRT Garden plants store carbon.
• Improved Quality of Life: The presence of green spaces has been linked to better mental and physical health, reduced crime and conflict, and enhanced concentration and academic performance among students.
• Economic Value: Green spaces add economic value to communities and foster a sense of pride and cooperation among residents. Shoppers spend more time and money in areas near green spaces. Housing units rent for more money and houses sell higher near green spaces.

Target Areas and Educational Opportunities
Flood-prone regions are often concentrated in low-income urban districts and have substantial potential to benefit from the implementation of SMRT Gardens. Whereas modern city development and landscape codes frequently integrate bioswales into their planning, many older neighborhoods rely on conventional storm drains that are increasingly unable to manage intensified rainfall. SMRT Gardens could fill the gap.

The intentional placement of educational signage within these gardens would serve to inform the public about the consequences of pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation, while simultaneously fostering sustainability, resilience, and cohesive communities. Scientific observation of these SMRT gardens could be incorporated into citizen science projects, creating an opportunity to assist with research while educating the public.

Building Partnerships and Community Engagement
Rotary is well positioned to collaborate with community groups, schools and government to promote, design, develop and maintain SMRT Gardens. They not only beautify public spaces but also build meaningful partnerships and goodwill. These efforts contribute to the economic vitality of neighborhoods, educate and encourage a collective commitment to sustainability.