Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sustainability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downers Grove North students build rain garden to reduce runoff, support pollinators and supply classroom data
Summary
Science students presented a rain garden project at Downers Grove North: the site, native plant palette, timeline and community partnerships including sensor donations and a local nursery sponsorship.
Students from Downers Grove North told the board about a rain garden the school is building to manage stormwater runoff, filter pollutants and provide habitat for pollinators. The presentation included the project's siting, plant selections, timeline and partner organizations.
Why it matters: staff and students said the rain garden will capture runoff from Main Street and the teacher parking lot, reducing water that enters storm sewers and helping prevent flooding near the school. Students said the garden will also serve as an outdoor learning site and support native pollinators.
Project details: the team chose a southwest corner of the school between the teacher parking lot and Main Street. Student presenters described the garden as a below-grade, depressed area that captures runoff that would otherwise become runoff into storm sewers. The plants chosen include pale coneflower, blazing star, butterfly milkweed and oval sedge; the team also plans to plant purple coneflower, prairie dropseed, New England aster and wild geranium. Students said the butterfly milkweed will act as a host plant for monarch butterflies and that several selections were purchased from a native plant nursery.
Partnerships and equipment: presenters said the D99 Foundation provided funding for plants and mulch (plants sourced from Pizzio in Leland). They said the American Geoscience Institute (AGI) connected the school with a Conservation Foundation staffer and that AGI plans to donate environmental sensors so classes can monitor rainfall and related data. Students also said they hope to add a Weatherbug weather station.
Timeline and usage: presenters said stakes and flags are in place, rototilling was scheduled for the weekend and planting was scheduled for the following Thursday. Students and staff described the garden as an active classroom resource that multiple classes will use for ongoing monitoring and study.
No action was required from the board; the presentation was given during the student perspectives portion of the meeting.
