Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series: Rain Gardens to the Rescue

Using plants and natural systems to manage stormwater

Polluted runoff is one of the greatest threats to clean water in the U.S.

As we develop our cities and towns, we replace forests and meadows with buildings and pavement. When it rains, the water runs off roofs and driveways into the street. Runoff picks up fertilizer, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria and other pollutants as it makes its way through storm drains and ditches – untreated – to our streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean. Rain gardens provide a cost-effective, attractive and environmentally-sound solution to managing residential and urban storm water runoff.

Presenters include:

Thomas Benjamin, Landscape Architect, Wellnesscapes. Thomas Benjamin is a registered Landscape Architect and LEED Accredited Professional (AP) and educator with more than 20 years experience in environmental design work. His restoration experience includes assessment, design, and construction of upland, wetland, riparian, and coastal sites using low-tech bioengineering solutions. Mr. Benjamin’s site planning work emphasizes low maintenance native plantings for public facilities, commercial, institutional, residential developments, and private residences. His work also encompasses the creation and enhancement of natural stormwater filtration systems in both developed and natural contexts. His presentation will cover a full range of examples, from simpler, smaller residential scale rain gardens and bioretention swale projects to larger commercial/institutional projects; site selection, design, and maintenance considerations for achieving successful and cost-effective rain gardens; and use of public education, outreach and volunteers on rain garden projects.

Michael Dietz, Director, Connecticut NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) Program. Mike Dietz is a water resources educator who has conducted dozens of residential rain garden trainings all over New England. He has developed a Rain Garden Mobile App with colleague Dave Dickson, and a Rain Garden website-both resources that have been widely used by the general public and practitioners. Mike was formerly an assistant professor and extension specialist in sustainable living at Utah State University where he worked on stormwater monitoring and LID (Low Impact Development), in addition to green building, energy conservation, and water harvesting.  He received both his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, focusing on stormwater and LID techniques.  Dr. Dietz will present basic ‘rules of thumb’ for rain garden site selection, construction, and maintenance considerations. He will also highlight the features of the website and app.

To learn more about SOAK Up the Rain New Hampshire visit their website.