McHenry County College is continuing its efforts toward promoting environmental sustainability by planting a second rain garden on campus to collect excess rainwater and runoff.
The newly-planted 2,500 square-foot rain garden is located on the east side of Ring Road. It is one-third the size of the first rain garden, which was planted last year also along Ring Road, on the south side of the Fire Science Tower.
Plantings in the rain gardens include a wide variety of native grasses, native perennials such as: Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, and Liatris (Blazing Star).
The rain gardens are one way the College is contributing to environmental stewardship to promote sustainability, adding to the ongoing college-wide efforts, including those by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC.
“This is another effort to continue our sustainability practices on campus in an attempt to reduce pollutants to our local water resources,” said Kevin Colombe, coordinator of Grounds Maintenance.
A Sustainability Committee started last winter and has supported several initiatives for energy savings, educating the community and reshaping the practices of students and employees at the college.
“We want to be conscious of our carbon footprint. The rain garden aligns nicely with our goal of using effective and sustainable land use design,” said Gwen Koehler, executive dean of Continuing and Professional Education who serves as chairperson of the college’s Sustainability Committee.
Photo Caption:
MCC grounds crew plant perennials in the new rain garden located Ring Road, on the north side of the Fire Science Tower. The purpose of the garden is to reduce the amount of pollutants from entering the Crystal Lake watershed and is one of many efforts at the college to promote environmental sustainability.
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