Schoolhouse Wetland Comes to Life

Aug 25

Over the course of the last month, the space in front of the schoolhouse has undergone a significant transition at the hands of dedicated volunteers. What was recently a grass lawn is now a complex rain garden where wetland is skirted by meadow in a diverse habitat teeming with native plants.

The purpose of this rain garden is multi-faceted. The wetland will provide stormwater management, accepting and filtering rainwater from the schoolhouse roof. The wetland and meadow will also be a space where program participants, members, and visitors can explore habitats representative of nearby natural plant communities. Once complete, the landscape will include an ADA accessible boardwalk, meandering stepping stone pathways, and opportunities for observation, education, and reflection.

Beyond these physical characteristics and programmatic benefits, the wetland project has also been a catalyst for fostering strong connections within the greater BRDC community. To help make this project possible, the Marion Morning Rotary, Rotary Club of Marion, Rotary Club of Washington County, and Rotary Club of Hillsville joined forces to partner with BRDC on a grant to support the installation of the rain garden. Members of these Rotary Clubs, along with the Washington County Master Gardeners, have also dedicated many hours of volunteer service to physically creating the wetland, including amending the soil, preparing the wetland “bowls”, and planting thousands of plants from Wood Thrush Native Nursery and Mid Atlantic Native Plant Farm.

The transplants are now establishing themselves within and around the bowls, with additional work slotted for around the perimeter. In time, the stepping stone pathway will be completed and the boardwalk will be installed. Finished or not, several species of butterflies have already discovered this new buffet of nectar sources!

Thank you, Rotarians and Master Gardeners, for bringing the Center landscape to life!