Holding Our Ground: Tackling Soil Erosion at Home and in the Community

Contributed by the Reston Environmental Advisory Committee

Protecting against soil erosion helps the community. Photo contributed by Reston EAC

This summer’s storms didn’t just bring rain—they revealed a growing threat to our landscapes: soil erosion. Across Reston, residents saw garden beds wash out, drainage channels overflow, and silt accumulate where it shouldn’t.

Reston Association Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) member Asha Sundararajan experienced this firsthand during a home landscaping project. Even light rainfall displaced soil and disrupted plantings. The issue isn’t just unsightly—it signals deeper environmental stress. When bare slopes lack stabilizing roots, rain becomes a powerful force, carving through yards and neighborhoods. Soil erosion threatens not only our gardens but also our streams, infrastructure, and the long-term health of Reston’s ecosystem.

“We decided to rethink water management,” Sundararajan explained. “This year, we moved beyond simple dry creek beds to installing dry wells covered with pavers and grass. The change replenishes groundwater rather than sending it into our neighbor’s yard. Puddling during thunderstorms eased, and newly planted shrubs thrived in the improved conditions.”

Many residents are taking similar steps—reshaping channels and replacing invasive plants with deep-rooted natives that hold soil in place. These small, individual efforts are already adding up to visible improvements across the community.

Still, the challenge extends beyond private yards. Reston’s tree canopy and stream restoration projects play a role, but invasive plants such as Japanese stiltgrass continue to outcompete stabilizing natives. The 2024 Reston Association State of the Environment Report warns that aging stormwater systems are struggling to handle increasing runoff, with erosion threatening streams, lakes, and infrastructure.

Pro Tip: Plants and soil go hand in hand. This fall, add native species to keep soil covered year-round (evergreen ferns and broadleaf ground covers grow especially well in shade). Aerate compacted vegetable patches, and mix in compost or other organic matter. If you have excess leaves, mulch and spread them instead of buying bagged mulch. They soak up water like a sponge, save money, look great, and are 100% natural. As you enjoy winter indoors, soil microbes will be quietly building structure and resilience—helping your garden hold together when spring rains return.

For guidance on managing soil erosion at home or in your community, visit the Reston Association Nature & Environmental page at www.reston.org/ or check out RA’s Drainage 101 seminar on YouTube.

By taking these thoughtful steps at home, and supporting community-wide initiatives and stronger stormwater management, we can protect our landscapes, waterways, and the unique character that makes Reston special. Soil erosion is preventable—together, we can hold our ground.