Team”Acadian Rain Gardens” was funded $2,500 during the 24 Hour Citizen Project in 2017 to create rain gardens within Lafayette in locations that are frequently flooded.  The gardens will be planted with native Acadiana wetland plants, including vibrant wildflowers such as red Hibiscus, purple Pontedaria and blue Iris. These gardens would benefit the community in a myriad of ways: they would beautify our city, assist water in soaking into the soil, save money, increase the natural space in the city, and help educate citizens and visitors about the natural heritage of our region.

What if Lafayette could reduce maintenance costs of regularly flooded areas, better manage rain water and run-off, and improve the environmental quality of water flooding into our Vermilion River all while creating scenic spots that serve both aesthetic and educational purposes? We can, by creating Acadian Rain Gardens. We propose creating rain gardens within Lafayette in locations that are frequently flooded.  The gardens will be planted with native Acadiana wetland plants, including vibrant wildflowers such as red Hibiscus, purple Pontedaria and blue Iris. These gardens will be inviting to the public and outfitted with signage to educate passersby on the importance of wetland habitats, water management issues, and the substantial natural heritage of Acadiana.

These gardens would benefit the community in a myriad of ways: they would beautify our city by turning damp, degraded grass areas into flowering wetland communities full of life; they would assist water in soaking into the soil, thereby lessening the water that burdens ditches and coulees during rain events; they would save money by turning managed lawn into native plantings that don’t need to be mowed, sprayed, or watered; they would increase the natural space in the city using our own Acadiana plants, creating a more welcoming feel for visitors and citizens alike; and they would help educate citizens and visitors about the natural heritage of our region, and why wetlands are important habitats for the community.