Rain gardens ease the burden on storm drains and keep pollution from reaching our water systems.
We just learned this, but it will become second nature to students at the Memorial Junior School in Whippany, thanks to a grant from the Morristown-based Whippany River Watershed Action Committee.
The students will build a series of rain gardens in the school courtyard, with guidance from the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension.
It’s all underwritten by a $28,750 “Eco Grant” from 3M. The watershed committee is among 10 organizations this year to receive one of these awards, which are about “connecting kids to nature and improving environmental and conservation education for youth,” according to the committee.
Here’s more.
FROM THE WHIPPANY RIVER WATERSHED ACTION COMMITTEE:
Whippany River Watershed Action Committee Receives 3M Eco Grant
Grant will be used for a Student Outdoor Environmental Learning Project
Hanover Twp., NJ – December 8, 2014 – The Whippany River Watershed Action Committee has been awarded a $28,750.00 3M Eco Grant for a student outdoor environmental learning project consisting of a series of rain gardens at the courtyard of the Memorial Junior School, 61 Highland Avenue, Whippany, NJ 07981.
Rain gardens keep run-off out of storm sewers, reduce pollution, preserve our water systems and recharge our aquifer. The installation of rain gardens and in-service teacher training with planned modules for student curriculum will be provided by Rutgers University Cooperative Extension.
Rain barrels for the collection of roof run-off will also be installed and ongoing implementation of the program will continue as students maintain the site from year to year while teachers introduce future classes to the learning experiences. Additionally, an environmental club will be established at the school.
The Whippany River Watershed Action Committee’s members are the stewards of the Whippany River Watershed. The members have come together to preserve, protect and maintain the land and water resources of the watershed through broad-based community action, projects, on-going assessment, education and promotion of resource conservation.
3M is awarding almost $400,000 to 10 organizations with its 2014 Eco Grants, which are aimed at connecting kids to nature and improving environmental and conservation education for youth. Since 2001, 3M’s environmental giving program has invested more than $25 million in sustainability initiatives as part of the company’s vision of improving everyday life.
The 2014 grant recipients are nonprofit organizations located in communities near a 3M facility. Recipients were selected based on criteria, which include: connecting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education with outdoor learning opportunities, improving environmental and conservation education, and increasing student visits and teacher preparedness—thereby extending the learning beyond a single visit.
“3M is pleased to support innovative ideas that create energy and excitement around learning,” said Kim Price, vice president of 3M. “We are committed to supporting initiatives that enhance environmental education through hands-on experiences with nature.”
For more information, visit www.3Mgives.com.
About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 88,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
About 3Mgives
Since 1953, 3M and the 3M Foundation have invested $1.3 billion in cash and products around the world. 3M’s investment in communities where the company operates reflects the philosophy and practice of the governing principles they have operated by since 1908. For more information, visit www.3Mgives.com or follow@3Mgives on Twitter.
