“A civilization that is based on respect for Nature is the only civilization we can sustain, the only one worth having, the only one in which we can hope to prosper.”
--Tom Leonard, WMEAC Executive Director from 1995 to 2006--
The ideas behind Rain Gardens of West Michigan began in the year 2000. Patricia Pennell, director of the project and a riparian (riverside dweller) for 25 years, had learned of the rain garden movement that started in 1990 in Prince George's County, Maryland. Patricia began collecting information about creating rain gardens while working as an environmental educator in the WMEAC Adopt-A-Stream program and while serving on the Kent County, Michigan Stormwater Task Force.
As most of our urban and suburban surface water pollution problems are caused by stormwater, it seemed logical that one of the best strategies to prevent this kind of pollution would be to put the stormwater somewhere else. Rain gardens seemed like a good alternative, and also seemed like an effective way to educate people about stormwater problems.
Patricia created some environmental websites, and put information about rain gardens on them. As soon as the rain garden content started coming up in search engines, people began to contact her. They were all seeking answers to the same questions; what does a rain garden look like? Where can I get instructions to build one? What kind of soil do I need? What plants should I use? Where can I get these plants in my area? How much does it cost to plant a rain garden? What size should it be? Who can I find to help me where I live (Virginia, California, New York, the Philippines, New Hampshire, etc.)?
There was already a lot of information available about rain gardens, but people obviously could not find what they needed in order to get started. If there were a central internet clearinghouse for this information, this would facilitate rain garden projects not only in the Great Lakes region, but in other areas as well. With these ideas in mind, Patricia acquired the domain name, raingardens.org, and began to work on getting that domain "findable" on the internet.
At the same time, the idea of creating a local rain garden project was born. West Michigan Environmental Action Council has a strong history of water quality programs. Why not start a rain garden project here at WMEAC? It would also be timely for our communities to have an effective local model of how to educate citizens about stormwater, because of the EPA Phase II stormwater mandates. Nobody wants to hear about stormwater, but many people are very intrigued by rain gardens, and in the process of creating one they can be educated about stormwater problems. One person called WMEAC and said, "I don't really understand what a rain garden is, but I want one!" This kind of interest was very encouraging.
Partners were contacted, and a project strategy team was formed. West Michigan Environmental Action Council obtained funding in July of 2002, and the first rain garden for our project, The River of Stars rain garden, in the Grand River Watershed, was planted that September.
Interest in rain gardens has grown across the world, and since our project inception, rain gardens have become standard practice in the greater Grand Rapids area.
About WMEAC
Rain Gardens of West Michigan is one of the many water quality Programs of WMEAC (West Michigan Environmental Action Council). WMEAC is a non-profit, citizen-based environmental advocacy and education organization. We have been working to protect our environment since 1968.
WMEAC works in three areas:
Environmental Education, Advocacy and Outreach
- First Friday Speaker Series 1968-2006
- Saquemos el Plomo (Get the Lead Out, Hispanic community lead initiative)
- Information and referral services
- Newsletter
- Religion, Ecology and Spirituality working group
Sustainability Programs
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Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council
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Transportation Working Group
Water Quality Programs
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Adopt-A-Stream
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Rain Gardens of West Michigan
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Stream Search (County-wide, volunteer monitoring program)
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Lake Monitoring
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Stormwater Education
For more information about WMEAC and our other programs, see www.wmeac.org