Rain gardens are a simple and attractive solution for stormwater runoff from footing and roof drains, driveway drains, and from lawns laden with pesticides and fertilizer. Rain gardens work best in well-drained soils and are the most common type of Low Impact Development (LID) system used to clean up polluted stormwater runoff created in residential areas. Rain gardens also provide an opportunity to add habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife year-round.

LID has been endorsed in a statewide initiative SustainableCTto address resiliency and climate adaption in the natural and built environment. SustainableCT’s objectives and goals include the advancement of understanding and commitment to promoting and adopting resilient developments practices, such as LID, in all land use changes from backyards to commercial development. NWCD would like to thank the Connecticut Community Foundation for its grant for work with local land use agencies and citizens to advance the goals of SustainableCT. NWCD has started work with the Towns of Bethlehem and Watertown to design and build functional demonstration rain garden projects with signage in their towns as well as work with their land use agencies to implement LID practices into their local regulatory processes.

A demonstration rain garden with literature will be set up at the 2019 Earth Day Plant Sale at the Goshen Fairgrounds. Careful planning is an important step in ensuring the success of a residential rain garden. For more information regarding sizing, design, installation and soils, visit nemo.uconn.edu/raingardens/