Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 12:00 pm
Voyager Interactive, Inc.
The Village of Niles was recognized by both the U.S. EPA and Chicago Wilderness with their 2012 Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards for the community’s efforts to create the Niles Community Rain Garden.
“Recognition such as this means two important things for this sustainable project,” said Assistant Village Manager Steven Vinezeano. “First and foremost, it is a big pat-on-the back for all those community volunteers and sponsors who believed in the project and its message. Second, it establishes the Niles Community Rain Garden as a legitimate and sound environmental/stormwater case study for all of us to learn from and enjoy.”
The Niles Community Rain Garden can trace its roots back to June of 2008 when the village, which has a history of flooding, partnered with Coca-Cola Bottling Company to work on the project.
Chicago Wilderness officials said the Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards recognize sites that are exemplary in the use of native landscaping, ecosystem restoration and protection, and/or conservation design. These practices create and protect habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species, and result in important environmental benefits for both people and nature.
Chicago Wilderness said the award was granted to Niles because the community’s “commitment to your site…[is] to be commended. Through this restoration project, you have enhanced and protected biodiverSity through native vegetation that provides important habitat for birds and butterflies. Your rain garden contributes to sustainable storm water management and is a valuable educational resource for the community.”
In May Coca-Cola, hosted an event at Culver School to show Niles residents how rain barrels can help save money and protect homes from flood damage. Additionally, experts at the event educated attendees on how to create a rain gardens in their yard. These rain gardens can reduce flooding in homes.
Vinezeano has helped lead efforts to create and develop the Niles Community Rain Garden on Touhy and a second rain garden is being planned on Culver School grounds.
“A rain barrel can reduce your water bill, let you water your garden and wash your car,” said Katie Busch, a Coca Cola spokesperson.
To learn more, visit www.vniles.com and a community open house Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Niles Library District to review the Village of Niles “draft” Environmental Action Plan being developed in cooperation with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
ahernandez@buglenewspapers.com
© 2012 Voyager Interactive, Inc.. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted in
Niles,
News,
News
on
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 12:00 pm.
Speak Your Mind