A Backyard Tour with Homeowner Marc Hauptman
By Elizabeth Eakes, GVC Outreach and Digital Communications Coordinator
Tucked away in the shady suburbs of Towson, Marc Hauptman’s property is a poster child for stormwater management landscaping.
Marc initiated a relationship with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC) a few years ago. Since then, GVC has planted 75 trees and installed a 250 square foot rain garden in his yard.
Earlier this summer, Marc gave me a tour of his beautiful, expansive yard. Marc received the tree planting about a year before the rain garden, and he recalled that the entire process with GVC was “great”.
Marc told me about the onset of his relationship with GVC, explaining, “All of this came about because I was getting a lot of erosion. I took down a lot of big trees… that created more water runoff than what I was getting before. Plus, the ground being compact and this clay soil… [I needed help with the erosion.]”
Marc had a stormwater problem. GVC had stormwater solutions.
After site assessments and landscape consults, tree planting and garden digging, Marc’s yard is ready for rain. The trees and plants are functional, attractive, and native. They enhance his yard, manage stormwater runoff, and provide habitat for native species- especially pollinators. The rain garden alone treats over 3,500 gallons of stormwater, per storm event!
When I asked him about his connection to the Gunpowder Watershed, Marc expressed, “I’ve been here 15 years. It’s a great area.” With the help of GVC, the stormwater runoff on Marc’s lawn will be slowed down and filtered, improving the longevity of his yard and the health of the Gunpowder River.
We’re grateful to Marc for trusting GVC to help him solve his stormwater problem, and for being open to an interview about his experience!
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Interested in a tree planting or rain garden installation on your property?
Get started by filling out our intake form:
Tree Planting – Gunpowder Valley Conservancy
Conservation Gardens – Gunpowder Valley Conservancy
Interested in sharing your experience for GVC’s newsletter and social media? Email Elizabeth