Rainwater will then flow into the garden, seep into the ground and allow native plants with deep roots to filter out pollutants. It's called a rain garden. Cheryl Rice of Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District explains, "A rain garden is basically a landscape feature, a garden that's shaped more like a bowl. It's meant to catch the water rather than to have it run off." It cleans contaminants and lowers runoff into parking lots, roads and overloaded storm sewers.
The rain garden initiative began in 2006 and now, it has taken root. Rice adds, "This year has been our busiest year. We've had a lot going in the last five years, but this year we had over 14 projects, over 11 gardens going in addition to the well over 40 that we've had going on over the past few years."
One of those is at Wildwood Environmental Academy. Schletter says, "I thought if they learn about it at school maybe they can take it to their own homes. Some of them already are. Parents are asking about it."
Students are helping to plant it. Kallie Flesh says, "The straw is so we can choke off the grass so we can put more rain garden in there." It will also attract wildlife with features like "toad abodes." Student Jillian Brimmer shows one off saying, "There can be hidden spots and open spots." When asked if it attracts anything other than toads, "Yes," she says, "The other day we actually had a chipmunk and a bunny rabbit."
The city of Toledo, Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District and other partners started the rain garden initiative. Schools, businesses, neighborhoods and organizations have all planted them. There are small grants available if you'd like to start one. You can find information at www.raingardeninitiative.org.
