14 DAY TRIAL // Thanks to the new LA Rain Gardens program, people living in the Los Angeles County can now make sure that whatever amounts of water reach the ground during mild or heavy rains are put to better use and made to support local biodiversity, rather than simply being allowed to wash down sidewalks and roadways.
As some specialists warn, the rainwater which falls directly onto the asphalt more often than not gets mixed up with various pollutants which are part and parcel of urban life. Therefore, when this water finally makes in into the city's drainage system, it is already contaminated and therefore likely to cause environmental problems.
According to Tree Hugger, said LA Rain Garden program is meant to deal precisely with these issues, meaning that, with the help of these new green areas, rain water can be sent directly into the ground without it getting a chance to have automotive liquids, trash and pesticides carried along with it.
The official website for this environmentally friendly campaign explains how, “The LA Rain Gardens program is a great way to help your community by improving the local environment, while at the same time making your home more beautiful.”
Furthermore, “Rain gardens are low water use, benefit the local environment by using only California-friendly plants, prevent polluted water from draining to the oceans, and recharge local groundwater.”
Apparently, those who wish to grow such a garden close to their homes can either choose to deal with selecting and planting the vegetation of their choice themselves, or sign up for the program and wait for “specialists” to show up at their doorstep and take care of this work.
Not to worry, financial losses are out of the question for both these options. Thus, those who agree to take to gardening all by themselves will be reimbursed up to $5,000 (roughly €4,000 / ₤3,150) per garden, so the only underlying question is whether or not one is ready to get their hands dirty for the benefit of the environment.
All in all, this seems to us like a note-worthy initiative, which both helps safeguard the environment, and pushes for community involvement in dealing with the problems brought about by pollution.