Check It Out

Pinney Rain Gardens Tour and Program

July 30th, 2009 Tana

If you’ve been to the Pinney Branch Library lately, you may have noticed a new addition to the landscape: micro rain gardens. Join us on Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m. for an outdoor christening of the Grace Schmid Rain Gardens and a presentation on their many benefits.

Named in memory of a long-time patron and supporter of Pinney and other local libraries, these demonstration gardens were funded by the Friends of the Pinney Branch Library and were also made possible with support from Madison’s City Engineering department. Design and installation work was done by Earth & Water Works, LLC. Ellen Rulseh, President of Earth & Water Works, will be presenting “Rain Gardens and Their Rewards” as a part of Pinney’s Sustainable Living program series. Rulseh’s presentation will enumerate and illustrate the benefits of rain gardens: reducing polluted stormwater from going into our urban lakes (Monona and Mendota) and streams; recharging groundwater; promoting biodiversity by attracting native birds, butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects; and adding beauty, interest and value to home, business and municipal property.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Madison Community Foundation, Pinney is expanding its collection of materials on sustainable living and providing programming and events emphasizing ways in which everyone can contribute to sustainable living for our future. See our Green Page for more information about the ways in which the Madison Public Library is contributing to sustainable living for our future. Not able to come to the presentation? See photos of the gardens on Flickr.

Entry Filed under: Collection Grants, Community Issues, Events, Friends of the Library, Pinney Branch, Sustainable Living