This month and especially today, people in North Carolina are walking along river and creek banks, lake shores and cleaning up the trash. You might wonder how this is related to rain gardens but consider it a partner plan that addresses other ways that our water becomes difficult to treat for human consumption. Imagine a creek filled with rusting cans, broken glass, plastic grocery bags, automotive parts and other machinery. Eventually metal tanks that contain oil or gasoline rupture allowing these toxic chemicals to mix with the water.
Then also imagine a wild creature cutting it's foot on the glass, becoming caught in the trash and drowning during a storm event or having the plastic wrapped around a creature's mouth so that is unable to eat or drink. These are gruesome scenarios but preventing them is another way to help take care of our Mother Earth and her creatures.
Yes, it's hard work to crawl around in a creek and drag a rusting bicycle or automotive tire out during clean-ups. Everyone isn't physically capable for this level of exertion. But then again, you can put that rain garden in your yard to help. Once it's established just watch it work it's magic. You can put rain barrels at the corners of your house and catch the run-off to later be used to water trees, gardens or other plants rather than turning on the tap.
I'd love to hear other folks ideas for protecting our water supplies. Comment or drop me an email to tell me what you're doing.
Cheryl
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