What's New!

In June 2007 the Whidbey Island Conservation District (WICD) partnered with Goosefoot, the Puget Sound Partnership, and local volunteers to construct a rain garden at Bayview High School. The approximately 100 square foot rain garden will capture a portion of the stormwater run-off generated by the high school, clean it, and slowly let it get absorbed into the ground.

A rain garden is a key feature in Low Impact Development (LID). LID is a new approach to manage storm water run-off. In a mature Pacific Northwest forest, much of the rain fall evaporates or gets absorbed into the ground to recharge aquifers. Once a piece of property is developed, the hard surfaces (streets, parking lots, roofs, sidewalks, etc), don’t allow the run-off to be absorbed back into the soil and cleaned. The hard surfaces also increase the speed of the run-off. The oil, metals, and pollutants lying on those surfaces move with the run-off as it makes its way to underground pipes and eventually enters the Puget Sound.

LID, first and foremost, advocates for the preservation of native vegetation. But if a property is developed and loses its native vegetation, there are many LID techniques that can be implemented to clean and slow down the rain water the way a forest would. A rain garden is one of those ways.

The new rain garden at Bayview High School will capture the rain water that falls on part of the building by connecting a down spout to the garden. The rain garden is located at the bottom of a small hill so some additional surface water run-off will also be captured and cleaned.

The superintendent of the South Whidbey School District, Dr. Fred McCarthy, was on hand to help with the construction of the rain garden and expressed his appreciation to the volunteers.

Much of the financial support for this project came from the Puget Sound Partnership. “Rain gardens are a wonderful way to improve the aesthetic value of an area, while also improving the environment,” said Linda Lyshall, Puget Sound Partnership.

Additional design and construction assistance were provided by Sara Birger, landscape designer, of Taproot Design and Blue Star Rockery.

The Goosefoot Community Fund will be watering the garden throughout the summer. “The rain garden is a beautiful and educational demonstration,” said Debbie Torget, the Chief Operating Officer for the Goosefoot Community Fund. “Goosefoot was very happy to participate with, and learn from, the fine folks of the Conservation District and the Puget Sound Partnership, and we’re looking forward to our future joint efforts.”

The WICD planners and engineers provide free non-regulatory technical assistance to Whidbey Island residents. In August of 2006, the WICD included Low Impact Development and Backyard Conservation to its farming, natural resource, and engineering programs. This rain garden workshop was offered as part of the WICD LID program. “Rain gardens are one example of a LID tool that can be installed just about anywhere,” says WICD representative, Kelly Donahue, “We hope this garden will inspire residents of Whidbey Island to construct rain gardens at their homes.”

For more information on this project and on the Whidbey Island Conservation District’s

Low Impact Development (LID) program, contact Stacy Smith via E-mail or (360) 678-4708.

		Conservation District Highlights and Events
	Rain Garden Constructed at Bayview High School In June 2007 the Whidbey Island Conservation District (WICD) partnered with Goosefoot, the Puget Sound Partnership, and local volunteers to construct a rain garden at Bayview High School. The approximately 100 square foot rain garden will capture a portion of the stormwater run-off generated by the high school, clean it, and slowly let it get absorbed into the ground. A rain garden is a key feature in Low Impact Development (LID). LID is a new approach to manage storm water run-off. In a mature Pacific Northwest forest, much of the rain fall evaporates or gets absorbed into the ground to recharge aquifers. Once a piece of property is developed, the hard surfaces (streets, parking lots, roofs, sidewalks, etc), don’t allow the run-off to be absorbed back into the soil and cleaned. The hard surfaces also increase the speed of the run-off. The oil, metals, and pollutants lying on those surfaces move with the run-off as it makes its way to underground pipes and eventually enters the Puget Sound. LID, first and foremost, advocates for the preservation of native vegetation. But if a property is developed and loses its native vegetation, there are many LID techniques that can be implemented to clean and slow down the rain water the way a forest would. A rain garden is one of those ways. The new rain garden at Bayview High School will capture the rain water that falls on part of the building by connecting a down spout to the garden. The rain garden is located at the bottom of a small hill so some additional surface water run-off will also be captured and cleaned. The superintendent of the South Whidbey School District, Dr. Fred McCarthy, was on hand to help with the construction of the rain garden and expressed his appreciation to the volunteers. Much of the financial support for this project came from the Puget Sound Partnership. “Rain gardens are a wonderful way to improve the aesthetic value of an area, while also improving the environment,” said Linda Lyshall, Puget Sound Partnership. Additional design and construction assistance were provided by Sara Birger, landscape designer, of Taproot Design and Blue Star Rockery. The Goosefoot Community Fund will be watering the garden throughout the summer. “The rain garden is a beautiful and educational demonstration,” said Debbie Torget, the Chief Operating Officer for the Goosefoot Community Fund. “Goosefoot was very happy to participate with, and learn from, the fine folks of the Conservation District and the Puget Sound Partnership, and we’re looking forward to our future joint efforts.” The WICD planners and engineers provide free non-regulatory technical assistance to Whidbey Island residents. In August of 2006, the WICD included Low Impact Development and Backyard Conservation to its farming, natural resource, and engineering programs. This rain garden workshop was offered as part of the WICD LID program. “Rain gardens are one example of a LID tool that can be installed just about anywhere,” says WICD representative, Kelly Donahue, “We hope this garden will inspire residents of Whidbey Island to construct rain gardens at their homes.” For more information on this project and on the Whidbey Island Conservation District’s Low Impact Development (LID) program, contact Stacy Smith via E-mail or (360) 678-4708.