Acadian Rain Garden

Project Description

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.

Project Details

Team Leader Scott Jones
Funded Date July 29, 2017
Location: Lafayette, LA

Pitch

 Progress

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Dear Community Letters

Project Updates
(Final Update Pending)

Acadian Rain Gardens Update #2

Acadian Rain Gardens Update #2

Dear Community, The Acadian Rain Garden Team is growing more and more every day (please excuse the pun, we’re just a bunch of nerds). Since our last update, our team has made major leaps and bounds in regard to designing our gardens. We’ve been meeting on...

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Acadian Rain Gardens Update #1

Acadian Rain Gardens Update #1

Dear Community, Since receiving funding from the 24CP, the Acadiana Rain Garden team has initiated the following tasks: 1. Successful receipt of funding from donors to the UL Lafayette 501 c3 fund. 2. Initiated conversations with LCG Environmental Quality...

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