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{ 8 } SNJ Today | JUNE 9, 2021 JUNE 9, 2021 | SNJToday.com { 9 }
Local school participates in program to build
green infrastructure project—two rain gardens.
American Littoral Society
In the fall of 2020, planting was done vent flooding, improve water quality, and
before it reaches our waterways. with the help of the school’s Green Team, increase wildlife habitat,” says the American
Egorov and Principal Carmella Heer Rutgers, the American Littoral Society, Littoral Society’s Lucia Ruggiero. “The
helped move the project along by work- and the Association of NJ Environmental South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program
ing with the school facilities staff and the Commissions. And, this spring the fourth makes it easier for people to install these
program. The onset of COVID in 2020 grade students finally returned to help with projects, even at the homeowner level.”
interfered with their plans to complete the spring clean-up of the garden. Homeowners who participate in the
project. “Students help with weeding and feel South Jersey Landscape Makeover Program
“The process was more complicated ownership and a sense of pride when other can receive a free rain garden design and
because of COVID, and we had to make teachers come out and use the garden as up to a $450 rebate for materials. To date,
lots of adjustments. I was a little nervous a tool to teach their students about water approximately $8,000 has been provided in
because it was a lot of work to do without quality,” added Egorov. “Children are the rebates. The program has helped prevent
the help of student volunteers, but we did next caretakers of our planet. Encouraging 30 million gallons of polluted stormwater
it,” said Egorov. “I like to lead by example, them to make greener and healthier from entering waterways that drain into the
and you have to know what your end goal choices for themselves and the planet is Delaware River. All that work is paying off,
is.” important.” as Egorov gets ready to use the garden to
As a result of the school closures due to She also encouraged other schools teach spring pollinator lessons.
COVID, the students were no longer able and municipalities to do what they can to For more information about the South
to help install the rain gardens. To keep help the environment and keep pollution Jersey Landscape Makeover Program visit
them engaged, Egorov worked with one out of our waterways. The South Jersey the website at sjwatersavers.org/make-
of the program partners, the American Landscape Makeover Program provides over/. n
Littoral Society, to conduct virtual presen- technical assistance, designing, and funding
tations with the students to teach them to help make green infrastructure projects American Littoral Society’s Lucia
about the rain gardens. easier for landowners to install. Ruggiero, Michelle Peal and Kristen Zilcosky
“Rain gardens can do a lot to help pre- contributed to this article.
