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Northside Elementary School Garden
| Name | Shawn Jadrnicek | | Situation | Northside Elementary School is located in one of the poorest counties in the state. The school had a major drainage problem that caused roof runoff to enter the building leading to mold problems. | | Response | The county Extension agent met with teachers at the school to identify and address the drainage problem. Together the teachers and agent wrote and received one of the largest grants ever given by Lowes to not only address the drainage problem but also create an outdoor learning lab/garden. The total amount given the school was $18,000.00. The county
agent created a landscape design for the school to turn all of the drainage problems into solutions. | | Impact | Gutters were installed on the roof of the school building and used to divert the roof runoff into rainbarrels. Excess water as well as collected water from the rainbarrels is diverted into swales and raingardens to recharge the groundwater and store water in the soil for use by plants. Edible, useful, historic and ornamental plants were then planted around the swales and in the outdoor learning lab. An ephemeral wetland and pond were added to the site as part of the learning components. Students and teachers at the school use the garden to teach science related topics. Almost all the students are now interested in horticulture as well as the aesthetics of the school. |
Last update5/9/2008
This website is maintained by Amy West.
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