The Red Oak Rain Garden was established 10 years ago to address the problem of rainwater pooling on the busy campus sidewalk between McKinley Health Center and Allen Hall. This student-faculty project was a collaboration of many entities – Facilities and Services, the Environmental Council, Housing, and NRES professor Anton Endress, whose Restoration Ecology students designed, planned, and installed the garden. In recent years, many of the garden plants have not thrived. The possible reasons are many, including an increase in shade, trampling, or poorly-informed maintenance. The lack of plants makes it difficult for students to recognize the area as a rain garden, thus, losing an opportunity to learn about ecological stormwater management. Additionally, pollinators lost a vital source of foraging plants. 

The goal for this project is to replant the Red Oak Rain Garden with several key outcomes in mind. First, the garden will continue to be effective – with expectations of increased infiltration (this may be measured by CEE students) – in its role of absorbing stormwater. The plantings will be hardy for their environment, salt-tolerant, and native when appropriate. Plus, they will be attractive to pollinators and birds, and visually appealing over several seasons. Finally, the garden will be an inspirational and educational resource for students (in and out of the classroom), faculty, visitors, and community members