RAIN GARDEN PRESENTATION The BHV Climate Resilience Subcommittee is hosting a virtual program with Washtenaw County Rain Garden Coordinator Susan Bryan on Tuesday April 26, 2022 at 6:30 PM. See the second attachment for all of the details.
Rain gardens collect rainwater runoff, filtering the water through vegetation and percolating it into the soil. These processes help to recharge groundwater aquifers and prevent pollutants from washing into streams and rivers. Rain gardens are also attractive and fun!
ZOOM HOSTS NEEDED BHV meetings have returned to in-person for the Boards, with a virtual option for public attendance. Volunteers are needed to help with the on-line hosting, which can be done from any computer and is easy to learn. Meetings are once a month on the second Monday, along with other occasional dates. For more information and to volunteer, contact Jan Esch, 734-222-5209, bhvclerk@bartonhillsvillage.org. Thank you!
SPRING THINGS Reminders for your spring list:
Lawn Debris The BHV staff will pick up brush and sticks gathered by homeowners for disposal (lawn service providers are expected to haul away their clean-up debris). Please separate out sticks/brush, that can be chipped, from leaves and other debris. Place piles near the driveway or road where the staff can see and collect them as their work schedule allows.
Household Hazardous Waste BHV will resume HHW collection on the first regular trash day of each month, beginning Monday April 4, 2022. Items such as fertilizer, pesticides, paint and automotive fluids can be put out next to the trash. A complete list is posted on the BHV website (bartonhillsvillage.org/services), and available from the Clerk’s Office.
Septic Pumping Contact the BHV Clerk’s Office when making an appointment for septic pumping so a staff member can come at the same time to fill out necessary paperwork.
BHV Ordinance No. 21 requires pumping at least every 4 years or more often as needed.
BHMC BUDGET BALLOTS Please return your ballot by Monday, April 4. Thanks!
Mark your Calendar! Rain Garden Evening with Susan Bryan
Daydreams of Summer
It’s almost spring! The ground is thawing; birds are migrating. At this time of year, some of us begin daydreaming about gardening projects. The Climate Resilience (CR) Subcommittee of BHV invites you to consider planting a rain garden on your property. Your CR Subcommittee has arranged an evening program with the Rain Garden Coordinator for Washtenaw County, Susan Bryan. It will take place virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30pm (https://wayne-edu.zoom.us/j/93127600846?pwd=ZllMNGk5TzRuTDdyTmFOY2ZTYVhKdz09).
Why Rain Gardens?
Rain gardens provide habitat for beneficial wildlife, protect water quality, recharge the groundwater, reduce infrastructure costs, and manage water flow during storms.
From https://www.washtenaw.org/raingardens:
One inch of rainfall means 600 gallons of water will be captured by a typical rain garden. Captured water won’t go to municipal pipes, won’t add pollution to the river, and won’t contribute to flooding. This water will recharge the groundwater. Before it does, it keeps the garden looking green and lush.
A rain garden is an attractive landscaping feature planted with perennial native plants. It is a bowl-shaped or saucer-shaped garden, designed to absorb storm water run-off from impervious surfaces such as roofs and parking lots. Rain gardens can be small home-owner style gardens, large complex gardens, or anywhere in between.
See the Barton Bulletin of 2/10/2022 for more information.
Learn More About Rain Gardens
Come to the Rain Garden Educational Evening with Susan Bryan for more ideas! Even if you aren’t ready to plant a rain garden, you can experiment with water loving plants or bushes. Contact your CR Subcommittee at lisa.saaf@gmail.com or teperry@wayne.edu to sign up and receive a reminder with the Zoom link. RSVP is appreciated, but you can also just show up!
This spring, while you’re daydreaming about summer gardens, consider including a rain garden in your landscape design. Enjoy the planning process!