A new online video from StormwaterPA talks about creating a rain garden that offers therapeutic exercise, attracts wildlife, and helps keep stormwater runoff from overburdening sewer systems--or entering local streams.

A rain garden is an attractive landscaped area planted with wildflowers and other vegetation (preferably native to the area) that has been designed to collect water that runs off a roof, driveway, or other parts of a property, including area lawns.

Rain gardens are intended to fill with water during storms and slowly filter the water into the ground. Rain gardens are an economical way of dealing with rainfall the way nature intended by infiltrating, slowing down, and reducing the volume of runoff that enters a stormwater system.

During heavy rains, they can prevent storm sewer overflows that can end up in our rivers and streams. Rain gardens not only keep rainwater on your property and out of the sewer system, they offer an attractive alternative to manicured lawns, adding beauty and value to a neighborhood. And, they provide important habitat for birds, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Click Here to watch this new video.

EcoExpress.org Contest

After viewing this "Rain Gardens: Saving Streams One Yard at a Time", submit your ideas for teacher materials for EcoExpress.org. Submissions will be judged by the EcoExpress staff.  The winner's teacher materials will be posted on EcoExpress.org.

Best of all, the winner will win this mini video camera to capture their classroom's own environmental stories!   

Here are the contest details: Create "Teacher Materials" for this video that would be suitable for your students. Please indicate grade level. Submission must include:

1. Pre-viewing discussion questions (2 or 3) to be used before viewing that would access prior knowledge or introduce the viewer to what they are about to see.

2. Post-viewing discussion questions(2 or 3) to be used after viewing to summarize what the viewers just saw.

3. A hands-on activity that could be used in conjunction with the viewing of this video.

4. Wild Card! Include other thoughts, activities, or ideas as how to use this video.

Submit your entry electronically by May 28 at 5:00 pm to: Anita Brook Dupree by sending email to: abdupree@greentreks.tv.

3/11/2013