Rain Garden Project brand new e-newsletter out now!

The first issue of the Rain Garden Project newsletter – Spring 2013 – is out. The newsletter contains useful information for everyone interested in the Rain Garden Program which is part of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Groundwater Restoration Project.

We plan to offer news, updates, articles, volunteer opportunities and event dates about our Rain Garden Project, executed by Save the Sound currently in the town of Southington. We will also keep you up-to-date on our efforts to spread the word about the incredible benefits of rain gardens and future projects we have for residential and commercial installations.

In this first edition you will find:

-News & Updates: Rain Gardens Project Kicked Off, First Rain Garden plantings, and A Garden of Opportunities for Two Families.

-Upcoming Events & Opportunities: Rain Garden Plantings in Southington.

We hope you enjoy the newsletter and please, contact us if you have questions, ideas, and of course, any other information about rain gardens you would like us to include in the next issues.

You can read it online http://conta.cc/10D1hK0.

For more information about the Rain Garden Project, please, visit our website at http://reducerunoff.org/index.htm

Reducing Runoff, One Rain Garden at a Time

The Rain Garden Project, overseen by Save the Sound, is moving forward and wrapping things up to get our hands dirty for the upcoming plantings. And since rain gardens are ideally installed during spring, this May 11 we will be planting the first rain garden of the season.

The first rain garden installation will take place at the home of Michael and Jennifer Kahn at 1218 Woodruff Street in Southington. The couple is thrilled with the idea that they will be helping to keep the environment healthier by planting a rain garden in their property. After the rain garden is installed it will help reduce the number of pollutants in their yard and stop the overwatering that carries these pollutants into waterways. Known as a green infrastructure resource, rain gardens filter stormwater runoff through plant foliage and roots before it goes into streams avoiding inherent pollution that would flood otherwise into rivers and ponds. 

Rain garden planting plan for the Kahn Family

Our next rain garden planting will take place in May 18 at the home of Matt Shepherd, 112 Skyline Drive in Southington.  Stay connected with us because we will keep you posted on details and more information about this rain garden planting and more coming.

Volunteers needed!

With only about two weeks left before the first planting, help is needed to build this rain garden. Come learn about green infrastructure and be part of this hands-on volunteer opportunity!

Shovels, gloves, snack and beverages will be supplied, but volunteers are encouraged to bring along their own shovels and gloves should they wish to.

Contact Save the Sound’s Evan Welsh at ewelsh@savethesound.org or (203) 787-0646 x116.

For more information, visit our website www.ReduceRunoff.org

April 27 Rain Garden Planting Canceled

Unfortunately, we ran into some unforeseen utility issues and our first rain garden planting as part of the Quinnipiac River Project, scheduled for April 27, is canceled. At the moment, we are still on for the next rain garden planting on Saturday, May 11 from 10 AM to 2 PM at 1218 Woodruff Road in Southington, CT. If you would like to volunteer or find out more information, please email Save the Sound’s Kierran Broatch at kbroatch@savethesound.org.

Volunteers installing a rain garden

 

Two Southington Families are Rain Garden Ready!

Save the Sound, Southington residents and volunteers are gearing up for the first two residential rain garden plantings through the Quinnipiac River Watershed Groundwater Restoration Project. These two Southington families became interested in being involved in the rain gardens project after hearing about the benefits of using green infrastructure to prevent water pollution and protect the environment.

The first rain garden to be installed is set for April 27 at the home of John and Heidi Strillacci at 103 Fox Run Road in Southington. With a dimension of 125 square feet, this rain garden will be installed at the front of the Strillacci’s property.

Rain garden schematic for John and Heidi Strillacci’s property.

Then, on May 11, a rain garden of 115 square feet will be planted at the home of Michael and Jennifer Kahn at 1218 Woodruff Street in Southington.

Rain garden schematic for Michael and Jennifer Kahn’s property

The installation of rain gardens will provide multiple benefits to both the local communities and the environment. Besides beautifying their yards, the rain gardens will create habitat for birds, butterflies and other species. “We love nature!” said Jennifer Kahn to Chris Cryder, Save the Sound outreach associate, when he asked Jennifer why her family is pursuing the installation of a rain garden. She also added: “Our family believes that anything we can do to help preserve or enrich the environment, we should do it!”

Jennifer and Michael Kahn with their sons.

These wonderful environmentally-conscious homeowners agreed to plant a rain garden on their properties through the Quinnipiac River Watershed Groundwater Restoration Project, administered by Save the Sound and funded by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The rain garden project aims to reduce polluted stormwater runoff from flowing into the streets and then into streams and rivers.

The program is open to submissions from residents who live in particular areas of Southington and certain parts of Plainville, Meriden and Wallingford. Plus, homeowners will receive technical assistance from Save the Sound staff and, best of all, an incentive of $1,500 for getting involved in the project. If you do live in these areas and are interested, please contact Chris Cryder as soon as possible at ccryder[at]savethesound.org or at (203) 787-0646, ext. 127.

Help us help the community! We need volunteers to build these rain gardens. Shovels, gloves, snacks and beverages will be supplied to all volunteers (or, if you wish, you’re more than welcome to bring your own shovels and gloves!) Please, contact Kierran Broatch at  kbroatch[at]savethesound.org or at (203) 787-0646, ext. 113.

Stay informed with reducerunoff.org. We will keep you updated on the progress of this great initiative!

Orchard Valley Garden Club hosted Quinnipiac River Project Presentation

On February 27, the Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington invited Chris Cryder, Save the Sound outreach associate, and Dr. Michael Dietz, program director of CT NEMO, to lead the presentation “Restoring Groundwater in the Quinnipiac River Watershed”.

Held at the Southington Public Library, the event aimed to inform the public about green infrastructure techniques and alternative solutions to keep stormwater run-off from going into streams and, ultimately, protect the Quinnipiac River Watershed.

State Representative Mary Mushinsky

Guest speaker, Mary Mushinsky, State Representative for Wallingford, gave a presentation on the history and current status of the Quinnipiac River. Representing Save the Sound, a Connecticut Fund for the Environment program, Chris Cryder explained how this organization was leading the Quinnipiac River Watershed Groundwater Restoration Project in partnership with the Town of Southington. Mr. Cryder told that as part of this program, Save the Sound is overseeing the installation of municipal bioretention projects and residential rain gardens. Dr. Michael Dietz, CT NEMO director, discussed the “how-to’s” and benefits of constructing rain gardens.

Left: Dr. Michael Dietz (CT NEMO), Right: Chris Cryder (Save the Sound)

Please visit ReduceRunoff.org to learn more about this project.

Rain Gardens Project is Kicking off this Spring!

First rain gardens to be installed in the town of Southington

Southington’s first city rain gardens will be installed this spring season! As part of the Quinnipiac River Watershed Groundwater Restoration Project, Southington residents will be constructing a rain garden on their own property. By doing so, these homeowners will be helping to reduce runoff and pollution and, at the same time, will be taking advantage of the special $1,500 incentive program offered by the project.

Site for Rain Garden Installation in Southington

Save the Sound, a Connecticut Fund for the Environment program, oversees the execution of the project and has partnered with the University of Connecticut Department of Extension’s NEMO Program and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) with the goal of capturing the rain that runs off roofs and then redirecting it back into the ground. Funds for this project were made possible thanks to the support of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) through the Quinnipiac River Groundwater Natural Resources Damages Fund.

Are you a Southington resident interested in participating in this project? Contact Chris Cryder at 203-787-0646, ext. 127 or at ccryder@savethesound.org.

For more information on rain gardens please go to Connecticut Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (CT NEMO) website at: http://nemo.uconn.edu/raingardens/index.htm.

To learn more about the project, please visit reducerunoff.org.

Upcoming Green Infrastructure Event in New Haven

Do you know what a combined sewer overflow (CSO) is?  Or why millions of gallons of untreated sewage are still pouring into our rivers, streams and Long Island Sound when it rains?

Now you have an opportunity to learn more about this important issue. On Monday, March 18, the Greater New Haven Water Works Coalition will host the event: Bringing in the Rain: from rainwater to runoff to sewer spills.

Not a pretty sight: toilet paper clinging to an outfall pipe, which flows into the West River in New Haven
(photo credit: Peter Davis)

Presenters will discuss how green infrastructure can help reduce the estimated 138 million gallons of raw sewage that flows into New Haven’s West River every year. Reducing sewer spills in our waterways will have major environmental, public health and economic benefits for our communities. You can also learn more about green infrastructure by visiting ReduceRunoff.com.

When: Monday, March 18, 2013 / 5:00-6:00 pm

Where: Mitchell Branch of New Haven Free Public Library, Program Room / 37 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515