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PROJECT GOAL #1
Improve water quality of Blackstone River by planting many Rain Gardens throughout Woonsocket and Pawtucket.
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Map of Rhode Island
Map source: R.I. Critical
Resource Atlas |
PROJECT GOAL #2
High school students become involved in local environmental efforts.
High school students enjoy Ecology and Life Science study.
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Mr. Cordeiro's Ecology class at
Shea Senior High School in Pawtucket |
HOW CAN RAIN GARDENS IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY
OF THE BLACKSTONE RIVER?
- While one Rain Garden would not cause a noticeable effect on the overall water quality of the Blackstone River, many Rain Gardens, planted throughout the cities of Pawtucket and Woonsocket could make a
difference.
- Rain Gardens are not difficult to plant. Homeowners, city planners and community groups are planting them in other parts of the country.
- It is thought that once Pawtucket and Woonsocket residents learn about Rain Gardens, many people will plant their own.
- As Rain Garden plantings increase, less automotive fluids and related pollutants will enter the Blackstone River.
HOW WILL THE URBAN RAIN GARDEN PROJECT INCREASE THE NUMBER
OF RAIN GARDENS PLANTED IN WOONSOCKET AND PAWTUCKET?
- Woonsocket and Shea High School students plant a Demonstration Rain Garden in their city.
The students then publicize this garden.
Their publicity encourages city residents to plant more gardens.
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Woonsocket Call 6/10/2005 |
HOW CAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TEACH THEIR CITY
ABOUT RAIN GARDENS?
FIRST... Students learned:
- about the BLACKSTONE RIVER WATER QUALITY.
- about water pollution caused by STORMWATER RUNOFF.
- how to plant an effective RAIN GARDEN.
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Mike Merrill, District Conservationist of the NRCS, works with a class at the Woonsocket garden site.
The garden must be dug so rain water will flow from the parking lot into the garden center. |
THEN... Students planned:
- how to publicize Rain Gardens.
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Woonsocket Biology students plan to tell the school community about the demonstration Rain Garden that is being
planted on school grounds. |
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