File photograph
Students in the Environmental and Spatial Technologies Program at West Fork Middle School, in September 2013, plant 100 native grass plugs, perennials and shrubs in the rain garden designed by the E.A.S.T. program students.
A workshop designed to assist landowners and land managers with financial assistance and knowledge for installing rain gardens on properties in the Beaver Lake Watershed will take place May 2. The Rain Garden Academy, part of the Beaver Lake Watershed Rain Garden mini-grant program, is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 at the Hobbs State Park Visitor Center.
The workshop will help participants better understand rain garden functions, design considerations, native plants, and cost-effective methods for installation. Existing rain gardens will be showcased and participants will have an opportunity for hands-on garden maintenance. Financial assistance in the form of mini-grants will be available for program attendees wishing to install gardens on residential properties, businesses, and public places in the Beaver Lake Watershed.
Rain gardens capture and hold excess rain water runoff to help slow the flow of water discharged from impervious surfaces during and after precipitation events, reducing water pollution and flooding, and allowing groundwater recharge. Other benefits include aesthetics and wildlife habitat creation.
Space is limited for this free workshop and attendees are required to RSVP by contacting the Beaver Watershed Alliance at info@beaverwatershedalliance.org or (479) 750-8007.
The Beaver Lake Watershed Rain Garden mini-grant program aims to promote the installation of rain gardens to maintain and improve water quality in the Beaver Lake Watershed. This program is carried out by the Beaver Watershed Alliance with sponsorship from Beaver Water District as a continuation of the Northwest Arkansas Rain Garden Project to install rain gardens to demonstrate benefits of this alternative stormwater management approach.
The Beaver Watershed Alliance is a non-profit organization focused on maintaining high quality drinking water in Beaver Lake and improving water quality within the Beaver Lake Watershed. For more information about BWA, or how you can become involved in helping to protect water quality in Beaver Lake and its watershed, visit www.beaverwatershedalliance.org or call 479.750.8007.
