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| Forest Hills Elementary Rain Garden Click on image to enlarge it |
Investigate Rain Gardens
and Wetlands
A rain garden is created to help slow down stormwater runoff. This garden is planted with native plants and serves the same functions as a natural wetland – water filtration and storage, flood and erosion control, and habitat for wildlife.
| Click on the topics below to learn more! | |||
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| What is a Rain Garden? | What is a Wetland? | Importance of Wetlands | Wetland Conservation |
| Importance of Wetlands | |
| Flood Control:
During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, wetlands absorb and slow the flow of waters.
This limits the effects of flooding, preventing the waterlogging of crops and potentially saving lives. Filtering Pollutants: Plants, fungi, and algae in wetlands filter and absorb extra pollutants and particles. This protects rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Pavement and buildings tend to increase runoff, and farms tend to produce a lot of pollutants. Because of this, wetlands within and downstream of cities and farms are particularly important. Erosion Control:
Slowing and storing water also reduces erosion (the
wearing away of land) and the damage it causes. |
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 Erosion Damage
flickr – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarter's photostream Click on image to enlarge it |
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| Economy:
Wetlands are popular places for hunting, hiking, canoeing, bird-watching, and other
outdoor recreational activities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states that Americans spend more than 100 billion dollars on wetland-related activities every year. |
 Children in kayaking in wetland
Pixabay Click on image to enlarge it |
| Provide Habitat:
Wetlands are one of the most important habitat types on earth. They provide food, water, and shelter for adult and baby animals of all kinds.
Birds use wetlands for feeding, breeding, and as a place to rest and refuel during migrations. Dead plant material breaks down in the water and forms tiny pieces of organic material. This material feeds small aquatic insects and fish that are food for larger fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. |
 Local and Migratory Birds Using Wetland (India)
Shariqkhan – Dreamstime Click on image to enlarge it |
| Animals that benefit from wetlands:
Wetlands serve as nurseries for amphibians and dragonflies as well as fish and crabs.
These animals spend the beginning of their lives in the shallow waters of wetlands before venturing out onto land or deeper waters. To read more about the life cycle of frogs and the importance of water to it, CLICK HERE. |
 Upland Chorus Frog
Dreamstime Click on image to enlarge it |
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