raingardenuiuc

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks (and also filter fabric)

By Tony Heath, Project Engineer Today was another productive day at the garden. When I arrived this morning, the Facilities & Services crew was continuing with rock removal in the north cell. I noticed that they were using a smooth-bladed bucket for the excavator. It was more effective at pulling the rock out without bringingContinueContinue reading “Rocks, rocks, and more rocks (and also filter fabric)”

Week 1 Progress

By Tony Heath, Project Engineer Howdy! It’s been an exciting week here at the Red Oak Rain Garden. We’ve seen some rapid changes to our landscape, which include removing the berm, making preparations for the new sidewalk, starting to remove the old bike path, saying goodbye to our shrubs, and starting to remove rock. TheContinueContinue reading “Week 1 Progress”

A Ground-Breaking Day!!

by Eric Green, Construction Manager It’s official – the Red Oak Rain Garden project broke ground yesterday. Facilities and Services began Phase I, which is demolition and preparation. They excavated a portion of the ground, where a new sidewalk will be and removed a large portion of the berm. Tree protection has been upContinueContinue reading “A Ground-Breaking Day!!”

Species of the week – Pale Purple Coneflower

By Reshmina William, PhD in Civil Engineering at UIUC, RORG Volunteer Digging deep… In late spring and early summer, the vibrant blooms of pale purple coneflower will bring a dash of showy color to our rain garden. However, this particular species is more than just a pretty face. Together with its other coneflower cousins, EchinaceaContinueContinue reading “Species of the week – Pale Purple Coneflower”

Species of the Week – Northern Red Oak

By Reshmina William, PhD in Civil Engineering at UIUC, RORG Volunteer Mystified by the new plants you’re seeing in our campus rain garden? Want to know more about that elusive bird you spotted flitting among its trees? In this blog series, I’ll be spotlighting some of the many species of plants and animals that youContinueContinue reading “Species of the Week – Northern Red Oak”

What do you see here?

by C. Eliana Brown, Extension Water Quality Specialist and RORG Team Leader “As we read what is written on the land, finding accounts of the past, predictions for the future, and comments on the present, we discover that there are many interwoven strands to each story…” – May Theilgaard Watts, Reading the Landscape of America ImagineContinueContinue reading “What do you see here?”