NOTE THAT THIS PROJECT IS ON THE FAST TRACK AND WILL COMPLETE IN THREE WEEKS!!!!
Who Is Doing This?
The Port of Illahee, with a grant from the Department of Ecology (DOE), is seeking help in the establishment of demonstration rain gardens at the Illahee Preserve (a Kitsap County Heritage Park).
Why Are They Doing This?
The rain garden project was first accepted by Illahee Preserve volunteers and was recently expanded are part of a combined Port & DOE campaign to encourage home owners to install their own rain gardens, as Kitsap County, and Illahee in particular, is especially sensitive to storm water run-off.
Why The Example Plots?
Small rain gardens installed near roofs and roadways are the preferred method to handle the storm water and it is felt that example plots will help encourage and educate residents with installations.
What Are They Doing?
Two rain garden areas (one with example species and one for demonstration plots) have already been prepared with amended soils as part of the new Almira Drive parking lot installed by Kitsap County Parks for the Illahee Preserve. The 460 acre preserve is becoming increasingly popular as a destination park, so we feel it is a good place to promote the benefits of rain gardens.
Who Is Doing The Plot Layouts?
Tentative layouts have been or are being developed for the demonstration plots. Plot #1 layout is in progress, Plot #2 being assigned to area Master Gardeners and Illahee residents, Plot #3 to a landscape architect, and Plot #4 to a botanist.
How Many Plants are Needed?
We have ordered 280 native plants from the Conservation District that will be arriving on March 5, 2010 and plan to augment the order with gifts and extracts (such as sword fern) from the Preserve, and additional purchases only as necessary.
When is the Planting Party?
We will be picking up the ordered plants on Friday afternoon, March 5th, with the primary planting party beginning at 9 am on Saturday, March 6th, with Sunday, March 7th, being a backup day if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
The Rain Garden Overall Completion Date?
The goal is to have everything planted and mulched by early March 2010. We want the rain gardens looking fine for the parking lot dedication, which is tentatively scheduled for on or around Earth Day in April. Please note that because of parking lot security issues we are limited to lower profile native plants. Also note that we realize our timing for planting is less than ideal, and we will likely need to water the plants during the summer months of the first year or until they get established.
Want to Help?
If you are interested in helping plan and/or planting the rain gardens or have questions, please feel free to contact Aimee Weber at (360) 405-1613 or Jim Aho at (360) 479-1049. Or you can respond to this email and we will pass the information on.
Jim Aho
