PROJECT OBJECTIVES Develop a proposal & have SUEIP interns work together to install and maintain two rain gardens at the entrance to the Sea Girt NGTC where two previous rain gardens previously were located.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND PROJECT RATIONALE Interns Emily Gilligan and Danielle Napier were responsible for developing a proposal for the installation of two rain gardens at the entrance to the Sea Girt NGTC, including pricing, overall garden design, project area maps, and species profiles. Soil borings and percolation tests were conducted to determine the existing conditions of the proposed project area. Sarah Helble used this proposal to secure a $7,000 grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation to fund the installation of the gardens. Over the course of several weeks, we prepared the project area for garden installation, ordered supplies, and recruited over 20 volunteers. Sarah and I also provided an educational component for the volunteers by conducting a live webinar about rain gardens to satisfy the NEEF grant requirements. Designing and preparing for the installations of these gardens has required extensive collaboration between EMB staff, myself, the interns, and Sea Girt facilities management. The interns have learned a lot about rain gardens, project design, and the complexities and challenges associated with interdepartment project execution.