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Stillwater, MN, Hudson, WI
The Nautilus
Outdoor Concepts alndscaping design
Phone (Minnesota):
(651) 436-6684
Phone (Wisconsin):
(715) 386-1300
Low impact development

Low impact development (LID) is an environmentally sensitive approach to developing land and managing stormwater runoff. Many areas, including Washington County Conservation District and the Valley Branch Watershed District are encouraging home owners and builders to turn to LID techniques to help protect the water quality and natural resources.

 
Rain gardens... a small project with big implications
water garden species

A rain garden is a beautiful garden that collects rain water and slows down runoff, avoiding erosion and helping conserve water quality. The best plants for rain gardens are native species, grasses and wildflowers that are deeply rooted.

We are proud to say that we were involved in the installation of one the first rain gardens of Minnesota, Swede Hollow in St. Paul.

A working and well engineered rain garden is NOT a mosquito infested hole!

Some areas offer incentives to home owners for building a rain garden. Check your local Watershed District to inquire.

Washington County Conservation District
Water Quality
Cost-Share Grants
PDF
PDF: 60KB
Great Lakes Region
Rain Garden Brochure
PDF
PDF: 700KB
University of Wisconsin
Water Resource Programs

 
Benefits of a rain garden:
Increases the amount of water that filters into the ground, which recharges local and regional aquifers
Helps protect communities from flooding and drainage problems
Helps protect streams and lakes from pollutants carried by urban stormwater – lawn fertilizers and pesticides, oil and other fluids that leak from cars, and numerous harmful substances that wash off roofs and paved areas
Enhances the beauty of yards and neighborhoods
Provides valuable habitat for birds, butterflies and many beneficial insects
Helps with soil erosion control, minimizing the runoff through a hill
Innovative applications: Uses innovative methods or techniques to study processes, acquire data, or implement conservation practices
Collaboration: Involves more than one land owner or occupant and results in greater resource protection because of this collaboration.
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Related Links:
GardenMinnesota.com
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