Rain Gardens Spring Up at
Clermont Schools
Ten Clermont County schools are going green,
thanks to a $50,000 Ohio Environmental Education
Fund (OEEF) grant received by the Clermont
Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
Student-designed rain gardens are being planted
throughout the month of May. Rain gardens are an
infiltration technique; water is captured in a garden that
features native plantings, and the water has a chance
to slowly filter into the ground, rather than run off into
the storm sewer. It is a popular way to reduce nonpoint
source pollution and protect our lakes and streams.
“We are very fortunate to have the chance to work
with so many different schools on this exciting project.
The rain gardens will provide wonderful learning
opportunities for current and future students,” said
Clermont SWCD Administrator Paul Berringer.
Rain gardens will be created at Pattison Elementary
in Milford, Felicity-Franklin High School,
Goshen High School, Clough Pike Elementary in
West Clermont, Bethel-Tate Middle School, Batavia
High School, Clermont Northeastern High
School, Milford Junior High School, and the Grant
Career Center.
Other grant partners include the Clermont County
Stormwater Department, Clermont County Educational
Services and Greenacres Foundation. The
partners are also developing a curricula using
Ohio Academic Content Standards, which will allow
the schools to utilize the gardens as formal learning
labs.