Rain Gardens

As cities and suburbs grew and agricultural land replaced forests, increased storm water runoff from impervious surfaces became an environmental issue for all of us. Storm water runoff from developed areas increases flooding, carries pollutants from streets, parking lots and lawns into local streams and lakes. This also leads to costly municipal improvements in storm water treatment structures.

By reducing storm water runoff, rain gardens can be a valuable part of changing these trends. While an individual rain garden may seem like a small thing, collectively they produce substantial neighborhood and community environmental benefits.

Benefits of rain gardens:

• increase the amount of water that filters into the ground, recharging local and regional aquifers
• help protect communities from flooding and drainage problems
• protection of streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban storm water. These pollutants include lawn fertilizers, pesticides, oil and other fluids that leak from cars, plus harmful substances that wash off roofs and paved areas
• enhance the beauty of yards and neighborhoods
• provide valuable habitat for birds, butterflies and many beneficial insects

See our gallery for rain gardens in action!