I 75 Rain Garden

The High School Students of Arlington Heights Academy planted a rain garden on Thursday morning at the intersection of Blanche Avenue and Clark Road in Arlington Heights. The rain garden is aimed at controlling stormwater runoff from I-75. Julia Love, Janae McClair and Sanoma Capps, who attend Arlington Heights Academy, participated in Agrium’s Caring for our Watersheds Contest in 2012 and secured first place for their project on rain gardens. Apart from winning the $1000 for themselves and their school, they also secured a grant from Agrium to implement their project.

The project was led by teacher, Amy Gunderman of Arlington Heights Academy and education specialist, Gwen Roth of Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. Wes Duran of Marvin’s Organic Garden, and Lora Alberto of by Groundwork Cincinnati Mill Creek assisted the students in the planting of the rain garden. Ohio Department of Transportation owns the land on which the rain garden was planted. Janea McClair said, “I can’t wait till the garden begins to bloom. The next stage is to add a sign and bench so residents of the neighborhood can admire the beauty of the garden.”

Agrium’s Caring for our Watershed is an international initiative, to empower young minds to think creatively on important environmental issues like water quality and stormwater runoff. This initiative allows high school students to think innovatively and follow through with their ideas, to impact their community. The Ohio version of the program is locally organized by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District. The contest is open to students of grades 9 – 12 living in Hamilton County, Ohio. Student and teachers are encouraged to contact Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District for more information, on being a part of this initiative.

For more information on the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Caring for our Watersheds Program, contact John Nelson at (513) 772-7645 or john.nelson@hamilton-co.org

---