Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Missouri

Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Rainscaping Cost-Share Program

Run by Deer Creek Watershed Alliance (Missouri Botanical Garden), funded by MSD, EPA 319

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
75% of approved documented costs (design, installation, maintenance) up to $4,500 for individual landowners; institutions 60% up to $6,000
Maximum
$4,500 per household
Who qualifies
Residential, commercial and institutional landowners whose property is in a Program Focus Area (check address on the interactive map). Addresses outside focus areas may qualify for the MSD Rainscaping Small Grants instead. One award per landowner across the two programs. Funds are limited and competitively scored.
Where
Landowners in the Deer Creek watershed focus areas of St. Louis County, shown on the program map.
Status
Open. Round 2026 application deadline June 5, 2026 has passed; installs under way; next round dates not published.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Install plant-based rainscaping that keeps stormwater on site: rain gardens, lawn replacement or lawn alternatives, permeable pavers, restored wooded areas, rainwater harvesting.

Requirements

  • Attend orientation (live, or watch video and complete survey) within the past two years
  • At least 100 sq ft of plant-based rainscaping; non-plant features reimbursable but do not count toward the minimum
  • Project must retain stormwater on site and include a plant solution
  • Most plants Missouri natives: 70% natives competitive, 100% natives earn bonus points
  • No rain gardens under a tree canopy
  • DIY allowed but own labor not reimbursed; contractors optional and must be registered Missouri businesses to be reimbursed for design/installation
  • Do not begin installation (beyond site prep) before Notice to Proceed; site prep costs not reimbursed if not approved
  • Call 1-800-344-7483 (DIG-RITE) before excavating
  • Submit paid invoices/receipts with completion form; site visit (QC) after completion
  • Landscape drawing and photos of future locations required with application

The plan or design it asks for

Landscape drawing of proposed features (hand drawing on graph paper acceptable, sample provided), photo(s) of the exact future location, plant list, budget/bids, submitted with application by the round deadline (2026: June 5, 2026).

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check Deer Creek Watershed Alliance's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Check your address on the Focus Area map at deercreekalliance.org/cost-share
  2. 2Watch the orientation video and complete the survey (or attend a live session) via deercreekalliance.org/register
  3. 3Submit the application form with landscape drawing, photos, plants and budget by mail or hand delivery (electronic submissions not accepted) to Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, c/o Missouri Botanical Garden Sustainability Division, 4651 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
  4. 4Receive award notification (2026: July 17, 2026); sign Project Agreement Form and wait for Notice to Proceed
  5. 5Install in fall 2026 or spring 2027
  6. 6Submit signed Project Completion Form with paid invoices/receipts (fall installs by Oct 9, 2026; spring by June 11, 2027)
  7. 7Site visit within about 6 weeks, then rebate mailed about 12 weeks after completion form
  8. 8Submit maintenance reimbursement request (by May 14, 2027 for fall installs; Nov 19, 2027 for spring installs)

Timing and deadlines

Notification about 6 weeks after deadline; payment mailed about 12 weeks after completion form

2026 round: applications June 5, 2026; notifications July 17, 2026; completion Oct 9, 2026 (fall) or June 11, 2027 (spring)

Combining it with other programs

One award only across Deer Creek RainScape and MSD Rainscaping Small Grants

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

More programs near the same area