Councilwoman Vicki Walsh seeks volunteers to help plant and maintain the Town of Oyster Bay’s Rain Gardens, which are a critical element of the Town’s pollution prevention strategy. During the Rain Garden Work Party scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, volunteers are needed to assist with weeding, raking, pruning, mulching, and transplanting existing rain gardens, while learning about the environmental benefits these structures offer. The event will be held from 9am to 12pm at the Western Waterfront in Oyster Bay.
“A rain garden is a collection of native plants placed in a small depression to temporarily hold rain water runoff from roofs, driveways, patios, or lawns. They have numerous environmental benefits, such as filtering pollutants, reducing flooding, and providing food and habitats to wildlife,” Councilwoman Walsh said. “However, they must be maintained regularly to ensure healthy soil, healthy plants, and a healthy community, which is why we’re seeking volunteers to assist with our existing rain gardens at the Western Waterfront in Oyster Bay.”
Volunteers are needed at the Rain Garden Work Party on Saturday, September 28th from 9am to 12pm at the Western Waterfront in Oyster Bay, located at 1 West End Ave, Oyster Bay. The event will be held in partnership with Friends of the Bay and The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, as these groups collaborated with the Town of Oyster Bay to design and construct the gardens. All volunteers must bring gloves, and community service hours will be offered to participants.
“From helping to capture runoff so it does not pollute our waterways to preventing the breeding of mosquitoes, rain gardens have a tremendously positive impact on our environment and water quality. We hope to see you on September 28th at the Western Waterfront to help maintain these gardens,” Councilwoman Walsh concluded.
For more information on the Rain Garden Pollution Prevention Initiative or Rain Garden Work Party, please call the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Environmental Resources at (516) 677-5730 or email environmental@oysterbay-ny.gov.
