A Fantastic Year for Rain Gardens to the Rescue!

As we wrap up another fantastic year of our Rain Gardens to the Rescue program, we want to share our immense gratitude and pride for everyone involved!

This program wouldn’t have been  possible without the support of our generous funders, Cleveland Cliffs and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and our amazing partners at the Sierra Club. A heartfelt thank you to all the enthusiastic residents of Detroit and Dearborn who joined us in our classes to learn about how we can bring green infrastructure to our neighborhood. A special shout-out to the SWST crew at St. Suzanne and everyone who helped us install seven beautiful rain gardens in our neighborhoods this year!

We’re always excited to bring this course to those eager to learn! Rain gardens are not just a practical solution for managing stormwater; they’re also a beautiful addition to any landscape. By capturing the rainwater runoff from our homes, these gardens keep excess stormwater out of the sewers and out of our Rouge River. In Michigan, where heavy rains can easily lead to flooding in our communities, rain gardens are a vital tool in promoting sustainable urban drainage.

Throughout our courses, we had a blast teaching participants how to design and install their very own rain gardens. We focused on using native plants, which are essential for our local ecosystem. These plants not only thrive in Michigan’s climate but also provide crucial habitats for our pollinators and wildlife. The creativity and unique ideas shared by participants each year never cease to amaze us! It’s truly incredible to see how these gardens can transform our landscapes so drastically, while still doing such important work for the environment.

This year, we were particularly inspired by the enthusiastic discussions and hands-on learning experiences that unfolded in our classes. It’s clear that our community is eager to adopt sustainable practices and make a positive impact on our environment. Thank you again to everyone who participated so fully and genuinely. Our Rouge community, once again, proves to be truly incredible.

We can’t wait to share more exciting opportunities with you as we move into our next season. If you’re interested in exploring rain gardens further, or want to get involved in future programs, stay tuned for updates!