SL_YourDreamHome_0219_reg2_Dept 2 / 13 / 19 4 : 22 PM Page 3 MONSER HAS A PASSION FOR suburban life PRESERVING LOCAL WATER - WAYS . HERE , SHE MONITORS A your dream home SECTION OF CREEK TO TEST FOR CHANGES IN WATER QUALITY . one drop A T A T I M E B Y B I L L D O N A H U E S M A L L C H A N G E S AT H O M E C A N M A K E A B I G D I F F E R E N C E I N R E D U C I N G TH E D A M A G I N G E F F E CTS O F STO R M W ATE R . “ Environmental stewardship begins in the home , ” says Mary - Margaret Monser , programs . The potential for funds an Ambler resident with a deep - seated love of the natural world . evaporated , however , so she had It would be tough to find a better environmental steward than Monser . She to find another way . supports a number of organizations devoted to protecting and preserving the Despite the fact that she had environment , such as the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association . In addition , no prior grant - writing experience , she chairs the Ambler Environmental Advisory Council , which devotes its time she applied for a Growing Greener and energy to assisting public officials in the protection , conservation , and man - grant through the Pennsylvania agement of Ambler’s natural resources . This includes programs to reduce Department of Environmental Pro - stormwater runoff that can threaten the health of local waterways such as the tection . The good news came in Wissahickon . December 2017 , almost a year after For those who are uneducated about the perils of storm water , Monser says she applied for the grant , when the it poses a formidable threat . In urban or semi - urban neighborhoods , impervious state came through with $ 206,000 surfaces such as roads , driveways , and patios cover much of the soil , meaning to support her passion project . storm water flows directly into the sewers that feed creeks and other waterways . What this means : Through Along the way , the storm water picks up motor oil , fertilizers , and other December 2020 , Ambler residents pollutants , not to mention trash , which can wreak havoc on waterways and , in and business can receive funds to turn , make it unsafe for humans to swim in or fish from , let alone drink . become “ a solution to the pollution ” Through a program known as “ Growing Ambler Greener : Clean Streams , in local waterways by installing Clean Water , ” Ambler residents can learn how to improve the health of waterways , stormwater features . In addition , as well as beautify their properties . For example , residents can install a number the EAC is providing free educational of stormwater features : a rain garden to absorb water from a home’s roof or workshops on stormwater features in February , March , and April . ( For a workshop other impervious surfaces ; a rain barrel to collect water for nourishing nonedible schedule , visit GrowingAmblerGreener.com . ) plants , thereby reducing runoff and also decreasing water consumption ; Monser says her family instilled in her a love of the outdoors — particularly landscaped downspout planters , which absorb and filter stormwater before it her mother , who was “ a fiercely independent woman . ” As a child , Monser and flows to nearby sewers ; and permeable pavers specially designed to allow water her family spent time at the likes of Prince William Forest Park on the banks of to soak into the soil below . the Potomac River , in the forests of Otego , N.Y . , along the Susquehanna River , “ We want people to keep all the water on their property , ” says Monser , and in Fort Washington State Park . In turn , Monser has passed her love of the er who also works as a nurse anesthetist at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery in natural world on to her children . ons East Norriton . “ It’s about adjusting our mindset and starting a culture change so As Monser looks to the future , she is heartened by the dedication of her M ret we can protect our planet a little better . Every one of us has a part to play . ” fellow EAC volunteers , as well as by the next generation of environmental arga Monser has done her share . She has a rain barrel at her home that provides stewards , including students from nearby Upper Dublin High School and Penn ary - M “ thirsty plants ” with easy access to water . She’s also in the process of installing a State Abington . At the same time , she admits to feeling a sense of unease about M of rain garden at a rental property . But her contributions stretch far beyond her what’s to come . rtesy property lines ; she was the primary impetus behind the Clean Streams , Clean “ I feel like we’re right at the cusp of this momentous [ change ] , because cou Water program . there’s a lot more awareness among people who have an interest , ” she says . “ I graph Monser , for her part , gives much of the credit to Susan Curry , her predecessor also worry that clearly we [ as a species ] are not investing enough time or energy hoto as EAC chair . When Monser took the reins , she had been working with into preserving our planet . … The good news is that change starts with one p op n Ambler Borough to establish a tidy budget to fund stormwater - management person who is willing to do something about it . ” T SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2019 76 |