Morehead State University's Center for Environmental Education has planted its first rain garden by workshop participants. The project was funded by the Center for Regional Engagement.

The rain garden, located behind Lappin Hall, was created with two purposes. It is designed to catch the run off from the parking area and it will provide educational opportunities for pre-service and in-service teachers, as well as nonformal educators and the community.

The MSU rain garden features native plants, including grasses, ferns and flowers.

Rain gardens are an easy, inexpensive and attractive way for home owners to improve water quality in their community. They are designed to absorb water and to release slowly into the ground water. The benefits are a reduction in the pollutants entering our waterways and a reduction in quantity of water entering our streams and storm water system. Rain gardens also can assist in controlling wet areas in your yard.

Additional information about the field trip is available by contacting April Haight, director of the Environmental Education Center, at (606) 783-2455 or e-mailing her at a.haight@moreheadstate.edu.