Looking back on this summer, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) and Illinois Extension. I leave with wonderful memories and an even deeper sense of connection to the community that cares so deeply about integrating sustainable infrastructure into our world. I feel so grateful for all that I haveContinueContinue reading “Summer 2025 IISG Stormwater Intern: Jenna Balaban “
Tag Archives: garden
Erin’s Senior Capstone Project: Deucalion’s Garden
The Inspiration When I tell people I recently graduated from the Sustainable Design program at Illinois, their first reaction is often curiosity. I’m frequently asked questions like, “What is Sustainable Design?” or, “How is it different from other design majors?” To me, Sustainable Design is set apart by its focus on solving real-world problems andContinueContinue reading “Erin’s Senior Capstone Project: Deucalion’s Garden”
Lessons from the Ground: A Conversation with Tony Heath, Former RORG Project Engineer
This blog is part of Joe Hinsberger’s ENVS491 course. As part of his assignment and to prepare for the interview, he read a past interview and several blog posts that Tony wrote while serving as construction manager As a civil engineering student, I’ve always been curious about the real-world challenges behind what we study inContinueContinue reading “Lessons from the Ground: A Conversation with Tony Heath, Former RORG Project Engineer”
Orange & Blue Week
From March 3-9, the University of Illinois celebrates Orange & Blue Week, a chance for Illini and friends to unite and make a difference. The Red Oak Rain Garden is honored to be a part of the inaugural effort to highlight crowdfunding projects that directly impact our students and campus. The University of Illinois atContinueContinue reading “Orange & Blue Week”
A Wheel Bug’s Life at RORG
Traipsing through the jungle of sedges, climbing among wildflowers, or buzzing loudly by, the North American Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus) is a prehistoric-looking insect you might spot in our rain garden during warmer months, aptly named for the wheel-like armor on its back. Approaching four years of my regular visiting of RORG, I can safelyContinueContinue reading “A Wheel Bug’s Life at RORG”
RORG’s 2024 Year-in-Review
By the RORG Team Welcome to RORG’s Year in Review — our fifth one! Before we start, we’d like to express our gratitude to all of the volunteers who gave us their time and talent. We also thank the University of Illinois Extension, Extension’s Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment program, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant for their leadership and University of IllinoisContinueContinue reading “RORG’s 2024 Year-in-Review”
The Intersection of Engineering and Nature at the Red Oak Rain Garden
By Joe Hinsberger, RORG Sustainability Intern Throughout my life, I’ve sought to connect with nature and have often thought about how to center my life around it after college. As I got older, I discovered a passion for designing things, and I realized I actually didn’t mind math, which led me to pursue Civil andContinueContinue reading “The Intersection of Engineering and Nature at the Red Oak Rain Garden”
Rain Garden Rumble 2024
To mark the FIFTH YEAR of our competitive native plant tournament, formerly known as “Mulch Madness”, we invite you to get ready for… RAIN…GARDEN…RUMMBBLLLEEEEEEE!!!! Our Rain Garden Rumble tournament takes an educational spin on a sports classic, teaching people about native plants, their benefits, and how to include them in home gardens. Including rain gardens,ContinueContinue reading “Rain Garden Rumble 2024”
RORG’s 2023 Year in Review
By the RORG Team Welcome to RORG’s Year in Review — our fourth one! Before we start, we’d like to express our gratitude to all of the volunteers that gift us their time and talent. We also thank University of Illinois Extension, Extension’s Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment program, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant for their leadership and UIUC Facilities & Services forContinueContinue reading “RORG’s 2023 Year in Review”
Red Oak Rain Garden 