If you’re alert to such things, you may have notice around town sunken areas landscaped with a semi-wild profusion of native plants. Those are called “rain gardens” and their purpose is to collect stormwater runoff from pavement, lawns and houses, to filter pollutants and recycle it, and prevent it from going to waste. They can also provide shelter and nourishment for birds, butterflies and other pollinators.
It’s not really that challenging to create one if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. And the Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District (Cuyahoga SWCD), Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP), and Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District (Lake SWCD) will provide the know-how. They’re offering a series of Master Rain Gardener courses this year; each includes five classes over a six-week period in which participants learn how to design, install, and maintain residential rain gardens.
They start with a winter online course January 31-March 7, followed by a spring in-person course May 2-June 6 at the Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma. There are two additional course in the summer and fall and an online course that can be done at your own pace. The courses are low-cost ($50-$75) and income-based scholarships are available.
For more information and to register, go to visit neomasterraingardener.org.