Rain Garden
Fernbank Museum showcases a variety of interesting exhibits and features, yet some of its outdoor attractions may not be immediately obvious. Visitors to the museum might have unknowingly walked past one of these features on their way in! The Rain Garden at Fernbank is easily overlooked, but it is just as captivating as the indoor exhibits. This Rain Garden exemplifies how water conservation practices can be seamlessly integrated into even the most unexpected places. Guests are encouraged to check it out during their next visit.
Where is the Rain Garden?
The Rain Garden is situated between Dinosaur Plaza and the museum’s side parking lot.
What is a rain garden?
Rain gardens are specifically designed to conserve freshwater by redirecting parking lot runoff into a garden filled with native plant species. This practice diminishes the volume of water flowing into storm drains and helps mitigate damage to streams by slowing the rapid, polluted stormwater that would otherwise stream into nearby watersheds. The stormwater aids in replenishing the soil moisture within the rain garden, providing natural irrigation for the plants.
The garden also serves as a natural water filter. As rainwater from the parking lot moves through the garden, pollutants such as brake dust and oil are filtered through the soil, preventing their introduction further down the watershed.
During a year with average rainfall, this garden can capture and purify up to 300,000 gallons of water!
Plants in the Rain Garden
The Rain Garden at Fernbank includes a diverse array of native, drought-tolerant plant species. Each plant species was selected with care to ensure that they can efficiently absorb water and withstand the local conditions.
Where to learn more?
Additional information regarding Fernbank’s Rain Garden can be found next to the outdoor feature. During their next visit, guests should remember to stop by and experience this natural beauty firsthand. They might even feel inspired to initiate their own conservation project. Rain gardens provide a practical and simple way to reduce water consumption and lower water bills at home!
To learn more about landscaping with native plants, visitors can check out the Georgia Native Plant Society online.
