Build a Rain Garden
Build a rain garden in your community to help reduce the negative effects of excessive rain and stormwater runoff.
Climate change has brought many challenges to communities, including how to deal with excess water during periods of heavy rain. Rain gardens are small areas that naturally create a break in the flow of water and help communities resist or mitigate flooding issues. Rain gardens are a simple and straightforward way to help a landscape manage excessive rain, including in areas that experience drought and downpours. Start researching and you’ll find that there are many online resources that provide easy instructions that, with a little help, will be a snap to implement.
How do I get started?
Research the purpose, design and building of rain gardens
Scout an appropriate location in your community
Get the required permissions
Fundraise for or solicit donations of materials
Rally a team to create this amazing natural remediation device
Check out our PDF for more suggestions
How long will this take? Between planning and building the effort should take 15-20 hours (depending on the number of volunteers assisting).
How can I expand this narrative arc? Consider other climate-related urban interventions, including:
Xeri-scaping
Spend your summer learning about urban engineering design to handle stormwater from storm surges at Cooper Union’s summer program.
HOT TIP: This is a great impact project for a kid with an interest in science and sustainability and a landscaping job. This connects the employment thread with the academic piece to enhance the overall narrative arc. Don’t be shy about advertising the project, and be sure to report its completion to local news sources so it can be further promoted.