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Rain gardens are comprised of native plants placed in a small depression found at the bottom of a natural slope. In other words, a rain garden is placed where all water/runoff pools. 

The purpose of the rain garden is to increase the ability of the soil to absorb and filter the water/runoff that would otherwise pool and flood. This process contributes to groundwater recharge, which can easily be interrupted by soil compaction and impermeable surfaces. Therefore, rain gardens are an essential component when it comes to recharging local and regional aquifers, important resources for safe, clean drinking water. 

Further, the native plants within the rain garden serve to aid in the filtration of runoff, while also providing food and shelter for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. 

The rain garden on the University of Toledo campus (pictured above) was funded and installed by students in order to catch and filter the large amounts of runoff coming from the nearby tennis courts and parking lots. This was an essential installation as the runoff coming from these sources is often polluted with oil, tire sediments, and metals. Without this rain garden, the polluted runoff would go straight into the Ottawa River, which empties into Lake Erie, a main source for drinking water in Toledo.

For more information and for a guide to build your own, visit this link to read The Nature Conservancy's article on rain gardens.

Invasive plants, having been both intentionally and accidentally introduced from other regions in the past, are detrimental for local ecosystems. Such plants are categorized as invasive as a result of their aggressiveness and ability to outcompete other species. Invasives monopolize sunlight, nutrients, water, and space, ultimately surviving and thriving at the detriment of natives. 

For example, kudzu vine (pictured above)  was originally introduced to the United States from Asia in the 1800s as a solution to soil erosion along rapidly developing roadways and railroads. Unfortunately, the plants rapid growth rate of up to one foot per day resulted in the vine covering virtually everything in sight. Today, kudzu vines cover nearly 7.4 million acres of land in the United States. 

Overall, this story is not unique to the kudzu vine, but is common amongst invasive, ornamental plants that are used across the country to this day. This is exactly why the implementation of natives is a necessary next step in the fight for environmental protection. By planting natives you can help to combat invasive plants in your yard, in your community, and in your local ecosystem as a whole.

For more information and for a list of common invasive species found in Michigan, visit this link to read the state of Michigan's Invasive Species Watch List.

Solar, a favorable resource on its own, can also be combined with native plant installations to have an immensely beneficial impact on the local environment. 

Solar arrays installed directly into the ground often require some form of ground cover to be established. Otherwise, it becomes all too easy for invasive plant species to infiltrate the site and wreak havoc on not only the local ecosystem, but the panels themselves as well. 

Further, if the ground under the array is left barren, soil erosion is likely to occur, increasing the likelihood of flooding and the amount of sediment pollution in local waterways.

Finally, the maintenance of both small and large solar arrays can become costly and time-consuming. If monotypic turf grass is installed beneath the panels, invasive establishment and soil erosion may be delayed to an extent, but maintenance in the form of mowing and weed prevention can become a hindrance. A low-maintenance option may be to install gravel instead of turf grass, but the "heat island" effect that will undoubtedly form as a result will reduce the effectiveness and lifetime of the panels. 

Therefore, planting natives in combination with the installation of a solar array is a wise choice when it comes to preventing invasive establishment, minimizing soil erosion, and keeping maintenance costs of the array relatively low. Additionally, the benefits of the natives for the local environment are the "icing on the cake."

For more information, visit this link to read The Nature Conservancy's article on the relationship between solar and native plants.

Community gardens are often overlooked when it comes to environmental protection, seen as more of a human service than a tool for preserving ecosystems. However, community gardens promote sustainable agriculture, a vital component of environmental stewardship, especially in the modern world where industrial farming has become common. The main goals of sustainable agriculture include environmental health, economic stability, and social equity. Therefore, community gardens are a great way to protect the Earth, to create a sense of companionship amongst neighbors, and to grow healthy, fresh food.

For more information and resources, visit this link to see what Michigan State University extension offices have to offer.