By Mark Meade and Roald Hazelhoff Rain gardens and bioswales are two landscape designs used to capture stormwater runoff while at the same time creating aesthetic natural outdoor spaces. Becoming a commonly incorporated feature in new home and business designs throughout the US, these structures naturally capture water in low-lying areas and serve to filter contaminants and act as a catchment basin for excessive rain and runoff. Further, the types of vegetation used in these structures can be beneficial to pollinating insects and provide habitat for numerous wildlife including frogs, birds, and salamanders, hence amplifying their aesthetics. Often, sitting areas or gathering spaces are constructed around the structures for all to enjoy the unique flora and fauna. Plant selection is important in the design of a rain garden/bioswale. Plants must be chosen that can tolerate excessive water as well as dry conditions. Since stormwater might be contaminated with pollutants, plants that can tolerate or bioremediate, that is uptake and store, should be considered. For instance, in southern Alabama, native rushes (Juncus spp.) are excellent at filtering contaminants from water and native flowering herbs, such as Sweet Jo Pye (Eutrochium purpureum), attract pollinating insects. Regional conservation offices, such as the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, can provide assistance in selecting plants that will suite your specific rain garden/bioswale needs. Regardless, a rain garden/bioswale is a relatively low cost investment and, with the selection of proper plants, should be relatively maintenance free. Rain gardens/bioswales can also be used to teach about natural systems and the impact of urban activities on our natural world. Any community or school group can assist with the design, monitoring, and maintaining of a rain garden/bioswale to ensure it meets its intended use. These include picking a location and suitable plants, monitoring water and soil quality both before and after setup, monitoring plant growth, and examining the occurrence of wildlife. Students, particularly, can use a rain garden/bioswale to learn about specific environmental processes, such as water and nutrient cycles, and the importance of plants in bioremediation (i.e., the removal of contaminants from water and soil). Located between the new Africatown Heritage House & the Hope Community Center, a bioswale was designed to handle stormwater runoff from the Heritage House roof and parking lot (see pre and post planting pictures below). The roof and parking lot was designed to deal with heavy rainfall, but didn’t address issues with any pollutants that might be in the stormwater (i.e. water quality). The addition of the bioswale, supported by District One Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, with its numerous plants and trees, will help not only to create a stunning habitat for a variety of organisms, but a number of the plants will also store or even neutralize heavy metals and other automotive contaminants, including oil, antifreeze, brake fluids, etc., that are likely in the stormwater. Located with a two minute walk, the new Africatown Rain Garden is the perfect outdoor science lab for students at Mobile County Training School. As an extension of the current environmental education project, STEMMING the TIDE: Empowering Youth to meet Coastal Environmental Challenges, students will help maintain and monitor the environmental impact of the bioswale and will be exposed to topics such as water conservation, pollution, and environmental resilience.
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AuthorThis is a collaborative blog with multiple authors from our community of practice focused on the community of Africatown in Mobile, Al. Archives
August 2023
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