JoCoLibrary

Community Issues Forum

Dig in and save the earth! According to the EPA, 55% of the rain that falls in urban areas drains directly into streams and then into nearby rivers, carrying dirt, debris and pollutants with it Even a small rain garden traps this water and filters it effectively. Add beauty to your yard and sustainability to your community! Learn more about the benefits of rain gardens, and how to design and build your own.

Register here.

Win a book on Rain Gardens!

 

Resources

Presentations:

1. Rain Garden Class (PDF)
2. What is a Rain Garden? (PDF)
3. Rain Garden Design (PDF)
4. Designing and Maintaining Rain Gardens (PDF)

Rain Gardens: websites, books and more

Sustainability in Gardens, Food and Life: A Resource List

Rain Garden Postcard

Rain Garden Presenters

David Dods, Environmental Engineer, URS Corporation in Overland Park, Kansas

David is an advocate for using natural systems to restore degraded lands and waters, and for treating urban stormwater to protect rivers and lakes.  His projects incude rain gardens, bioretention systems, bioswales, stream restorations, and constructed wetlands.  David is co-author of the book, The Blue Thumb Guide to Raingardens, and a nationwide workshop instructor on rain gardens and native landscaping for stormwater control. 

Dennis Patton, Horticulture Agent, Johnson County K-State Research and Extension
Dennis hails from south central Kansas growing up on a wheat farm near Caldwell, Kansas. He developed a love of nature and plants from his grandmother who was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing plants with friends and neighbors. After attending college at Kansas State University, Dennis worked briefly on a commercial vegetable farm in central Kansas before working with the K-State Research and Extension. His Extension career started in McPherson County before joining the Johnson County staff.

Heather Schmidt, Water Quality Specialist, Johnson County Stormwater Management
A large part of Heather’s job includes education and outreach to County citizens on the subjects of stormwater pollution and how everyone can help to reduce the impact we have on pollution in our streams and lakes. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in Geology from the University of Kansas and prior to her employment with Johnson County; she was a hydrologist with the U.S Geological Survey Kansas Water Science Center in Lawrence, KS where she worked on projects analyzing water quality in both ground and surface waters.