Iota-Omicron Chapter brings Rain Garden to Louisville Campus

Editors Note: The letter below was submitted by Greg Schetler,Superintendent of Grounds at the University of Louisville. Some edits have been made to his original remarks. 

Several Months ago, I was contacted by Iota-Omicron Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity, who wanted to perform a community service project on campus. I met with Tyler Hoffman and vetted a rain garden idea (note: A rain garden is a planted depression or a hole that allows rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas, the opportunity to be absorbed.) that had been bouncing around in the back of my mind. Tyler agreed this type of project would work nicely for what they wanted to accomplish.

We put the wheels in motion to start our project; first, by removing the grass totaling 5126 square feet, which in return requires fewer fossil fuels than a lawn to maintain annually. Next, compost was tilled into our existing soil to create more water holding capacity, along with a more desirable environment for our plants to grow. We then planted all native plants. They will require less water than non-native plants, and provide pollinating opportunities for insects. This area will now provide our community with more pollinating opportunities, water run off management, lower our carbon foot print, along with aesthetical value. The point of my long drawn out email is the face this truly was a community service project that will continue to benefit our community long after these students graduate.

It was an honor and a pleasure to work with such a good group of people. This should be the standard in which community service projects are held to. Oh and by the way they funded the whole project them self’s. I look forward to working with them again in the future.