Zipping and fluttering in the air against a backdrop of wildflowers, hummingbirds and dozens of species of dragonflies and butterflies have come to inhabit the native prairie rain garden at the Mennonite Church of Normal. An existing 1700 sq ft turf drainage swale adjacent to the church parking lot was converted to a rain garden in order to increase landscape biodiversity, enhance the swale’s ability to filter stormwater runoff and to promote curiosity and wonderment in children of the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood.
Church Rain Garden Promotes Wonder, Curbs Water Pollution
Mennonite Church of Normal encourages ecosystem stewardship as faith practice
Reprinted from the Mennonite Church of Normal web site. Slide show available there.
Zipping and fluttering in the air against a backdrop of wildflowers, hummingbirds and dozens of species of dragonflies and butterflies have come to inhabit the native prairie rain garden at the Mennonite Church of Normal. An existing 1700 sq ft turf drainage swale adjacent to the church parking lot was converted to a rain garden in order to increase landscape biodiversity, enhance the swale’s ability to filter stormwater runoff and to promote curiosity and wonderment in children of the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood.
The project began in 2010 with removal of existing sod followed by cultivation of weeds throughout the summer. A highly-diverse seed mix of more than 100 species of prairie grass and wildflowers was sown on the soil surface in early winter among an existing cover crop. This ‘frost-sowing’ technique allowed for the freezing and thawing of winter soil to naturally settle the seeds to soil depths optimal for germination. With a grant from the IL Native Plant Society, 450 mature plant-plugs of thirteen different species were installed this summer.
The rain garden will serve as a butterfly habitat and life-cycle study area for the children of Normal’s only Head Start classroom, hosted by the church in its building. Considered a demonstration garden, the church provides interpretive signage and materials and welcomes visitors for tours.
Mennonites, part of a Christian tradition dating back to the 16th century, have historically held to the notion from the biblical Psalms that the earth and everything in it belongs to God. The confessional document of the Mennonite Church USA denomination names Christians as “stewards of God's earth” and teaches that Christians are “called to care for the earth and to bring rest and renewal to the land and everything that lives on it.” Many historic Mennonite communities in Europe and Russia were known for their innovative agricultural practices and large-scale conservation initiatives.
“The LORD owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1 (NET)
Fact: Rainwater is natural, stormwater is unnatural and polluted.
Goal #1: Increase the ability of the swale to retain and filter stormwater through the use of deep-rooted, perennial plants.
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God…” Romans 8:19 (NRS)
Fact: Low-diversity landscaping does little to support natural systems
Goal #2: Increase biodiversity on the church property for both beauty and wildlife value
“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7 (NLT )
Fact: The less-curious child is harder to teach, being harder to inspire, enthuse, and motivate.
Goal #3: Promote wonderment through engaging greenspace for congregational children, the onsite Head Start classroom and families living nearby.
It looks awfully weedy, doesn’t it? Native plants spend the first two years putting down roots with little top growth. We have had an exceptional first season with our planting, though! Troublesome weeds are being pulled or spot- treated. Some weeds that are short-lived are actually serving to smother worse weeds and they will be over-shaded as the prairie plants gain height. The west leg of the swale had slower germination because of less cover-crop germination, but is only a few weeks behind the north leg.