What is a Rain Garden?

A rain garden is a beautiful and effective way to manage stormwater runoff. It acts like a miniature native forest by collecting, absorbing, and filtering potentially polluted stormwater runoff from roof tops, driveways, patios, and other areas that don’t allow water to soak in. A rain garden is simply a depression filled with a compost-rich soil mix then planted and topped with mulch. The soil and plants work together to process, manage, and treat the stormwater. By adding a rain garden near our new building, we can keep pollutants and contaminants from getting into the river and help keep the water clean and our fish safe!

---

What’s our plan?

The Dungeness River Nature Center is partnering with WSU Extension and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe to build a rain garden as part of the Center’s building expansion. It will protect the Dungeness River by absorbing and filtering stormwater runoff from the new roof, paved patio, and sidewalks. 

The Center’s rain garden will be on the east side of the building (where the former native plant garden was). A new wildlife-viewing area inside the building will overlook the garden and the surrounding area planted with habitat-friendly native and water-wise species.

The 650 sq. ft. garden is designed to manage the stormwater flow from approximately 5,900 sq. ft. of hard surfaces and roof. Stormwater will be directed from the roof and patios into the garden. The water will then be absorbed, usually in 48-72 hours and the organic material in the compost will filter out any contaminants. The runoff from the other hard surfaces will be directed to an engineered, underground stormwater system located in the new parking lot.

---

Want to help?

We are looking for volunteers on October 7 and 8 to help us with our exciting new project! Volunteers will work to plant native and water-wise plants and spread mulch. If you want to learn more about rain gardens, this hands-on experience is for you! There will be an introduction to the project and the plants at the start of each shift. 

 Pre-registration is required, and covid-safety protocols will be in place. Volunteers should be able to dig and kneel. Wear shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting muddy (raingear works great!) and bring gloves, a mask, water, and snacks for yourself. For more information and to register, please email [email protected].