Who: Cindy Gilberg of Shaw Nature Reserve

What: Planting swales and gardens with native-wetland plants that filter rain-water runoff deep into the ground. In the right locations, the deep-rooted natives help keep the overflow out of aging or overwhelmed storm sewers. And rain gardens actually defeat mosquitoes by helping the ground to dry out quickly, killing any larvae there.

Where: Bowood Farms Garden Center, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End

When: Sat., Sept. 6, 2008, from 2 to 3 p.m

Why: Learn more about new programs championed by Kansas City’s 10,000 Rain Garden initiative and now, by St. Louis’ own initiative ShowMe Rain Gardens