Green Initiatives

Wood Chips/Mulch

The Village chips brush generated by residents and makes free wood chips available for delivery to Amberley Village residents to use as mulch.  The equipment produces chips varying in size and shape, and sometimes includes green leaves.

Please note that delivery time is dependent upon weather conditions, equipment and staff availability, and is limited to regular work hours.  Please allow up to 10 days for delivery of wood chips, as Maintenance Crews must balance regular duties with other requests as well.

Please use the online form to request this service, and be sure to include all requested information.  For questions or additional assistance, please call the Administrative Offices at 531-8675.

Woodchips

Woodchips


Rain Garden

Rain Garden: A Landscaping Approach to Stormwater Management

Amberley is in the process of developing a rain garden between the west side of the Village’s walking track and Dena Lane.  It is a demonstration project that improves water quality and reduces flooding potential from stormwater that flows into Amberley Creek on the south side of Section Road.  Construction began in 2008 by Village employees with some help from volunteers.  The plantings, some of which were started from seeds, will continue to be added over time.  Signage explaining how the rain garden works has been placed nearby.

The Village received a mini-grant of $5,000 from the Hamilton County Storm Water District for partial funding of the project, one of only two municipalities to do so from this program, which was created to promote education about stormwater management and polluction prevention.  In seeking the mini-grant, the Village partnered with the non-profit Mill Creek Watershed Council of Communities, which provided invaluable assistance.

What is a Rain Garden?

A rain garden is a shallow area planted with native perennial plants that can quickly absorb rain water through deep root systems, preventing a rush of water into creeks and streams.  Installed in areas where stormwater flows from buildings or parking lots, they are a simple, natural, attractive way to address stormwater runoff that would otherwise add pollution to waterways and disturb plant and marine life.

For more information about rain gardens:

Rain Garden

Rain Garden

Rain Garden


Rain Barrel

Collecting rain water in a barrel or other container for future use is an old-time practice with real value in the present day. Like rain gardens, this practice protects natural resources by reducing the amount of rain fall that flows into rivers and streams.

A rain barrel, created by Amberley maintenance staff, has been installed at the back garage on Village Hall grounds. Check it out the next time you’re walking on the track or playing tennis!

A primary use for water collected in a rain barrel is watering landscapes and gardens, using it directly from the barrel. Naturally soft in composition, devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals, rainwater can help improve the health of gardens, lawns and trees.

Rain Barrel

Rain Barrel


Arbor Day Recycling Projects

As part of the Environmental Stewardship Committee’s focus on sustainable practices, unique recycling projects have been incorporated into the Arbor Day program.

  • Paper Shredding – A company called Shred Safe that shreds and recycles paper for post-consumer uses comes to Village Hall during the event. They collect and shred unneeded paper documents in an ecological manner and with complete confidentiality.
  • Electronics – Residents were able to drop off old electronics ranging from old cell phones to TVs to fax machines and computer equipment to be safely disposed of.
  • Athletic Shoes/Flip Flops – These old shoes were collected and taken to the Nike Outlet in Monroe, which sends them to be ground up and made into outdoor playground pads for parks in Cincinnati.
  • Tires – Old tires were collected through a program offered by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.