Page 8 - May 19, 2021

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CIRCLE OASIS Continued from cover

Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Delaware minded solutions that would work in tan-
River Watershed Conservation Grant Pro- dem with their improvements. Being long-
gram sponsored this project, called “Imple- time partners with Rutgers Water Resource
menting Green Infrastructure to Protect Program, CU suggested incorporating rain
the Wild and Scenic Maurice River.” The gardens into the land management practices
revitalization of the WheatonArts Entrance used within the entrance circle. At that
Circle was the biggest of the four installa- time, the area was being managed as 36,000
tions associated with the overall project. square feet of sterile lawn. By installing rain
The project aims to protect clean and plenti- gardens instead, the remainder of the storm-
ful water supplies for human use, and to water could be redirected away from the
conserve wildlife habitat integrity. It was fu- entrance and back down to the aquifer.
eled by the dedication of volunteer stewards Outmoded land management practices
who are making a difference for a healthier are exacerbating the effects that overcon-
tomorrow, by acting collectively today. sumption of freshwater is having on the
WheatonArts is an anchor cultural health of the Maurice River watershed.
destination located in Millville. It is open to Installing an extensive raingarden system
the public and attracts over 60,000 visitors addresses the flooding issue, protects sur-
per year. There are many offerings to take face water resources from contamination,
advantage of, including museum and gallery and promotes the recharge of southern
exhibits, hands-on educational opportuni- New Jersey’s drinking water supply—the
ties for children and adults, interpretive Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer. At the end of
artist demonstrations, and special events 2018, National Fish and Wildlife Founda-
for the community. The facility is home tion recognized the environmental conser-
to the Museum of American Glass, Down vation potential of the overall project and
Jersey Folklife Center, and a dynamic artist awarded CU Maurice River with funding to
community. This non-profit organization’s complete it.
mission is to engage artists and audiences in By the end of 2020, the three partnering
an evolving exploration of creativity. organizations were collaborating on the
Aspiring to participate as environmen- development of a garden layout that would
tal stewards of the community, state, and not only help resolve water management is-
globe, the “WheatonGreen” initiative was sues but also complement the facility’s aes-
established to demonstrate the organiza- thetics. In January 2021, the WheatonArts
tion’s commitment to sustainability. After Facilities Committee approved Rutgers’
WheatonArts experienced flooding at their concept design. It featured four intercon-
entrance gate, they made improvements to nected rain gardens and three large upland water per year into the aquifer. The system Before, during, and after photos of project.
the facility’s drainage system. Then they pollinator areas. Once installed, it would would also remove a combined 120 pounds BOTTOM PHOTO: MICHAEL BIDDINGER
came to CU Maurice River seeking green- facilitate the recharge of 891,000 gallons of of contaminants from waterways, while
the native plants support the biodiversity Over the next two months, these eco-
of Down Jersey. Upon approval, Rutgers stewards shared their experiences on a
then assembled their team of engineers and Facebook page, called Circle Pollinator
landscape designers to draw up the final Project. There they shared the excitement
plans for installation. of spotting the first sprouts poking through
Meanwhile, CU Maurice River began the soil (well, except for those who were still
engaging the community with the project’s waiting in nervous expectancy). They also
goals and involving them in this hands-on shared growing pains and “coming of age
learning experience. A kick-off event was moments,” like when crowded trays needed
held in February. By this time, the CU Mau- to be thinned out. One participant shared
rice River and WheatonArts’ communities her curious cat checking out, or even eating,
had been hearing about the project for quite the seeds. Another sent an S.O.S. message
some time. They were ready and raring when ants raided the cells of her trays. The
to get started. Nearly 50 people attended group page was consistently active with
a germination session and volunteered to updates, inquiries, stories, doubts, and sug-
foster plants from seed for the gardens. The gestions. In the midst of the deep dark win-
workshop introduced the participants to ter, those little-sprouts-that-could opened
“blue-minded” water management prac- their first set of leaves and inspired hope in
Nearly 50 people attended a germination session and tices, ecological benefits of native plants anticipation for the coming of spring—and
volunteered to foster plants from seed for the gardens.... in landscaping, unique qualities of the warmer days. Together this group of eco-
stewards raised over 2,100 plants.
featured flower species, and suggestions for
Together this group of eco-stewards raised over 2,100 plants. plant care. Installation finally started on Monday,