Northampton Community College Community Garden Bioswale Rain Garden

Northampton Community College Community Garden Bioswale/ Rain Garden Project Proposal Michael Mac. Donald, Lucas Rappa and Victoria Bastidas Faculty Advisor: Professor Karen M. Klein

NCC East 40 - Community Garden Project Background Northampton Community College serves approximately 35, 000 students. The East 40 is a 40 acre parcel of undeveloped land purchased from Seiple Farms in 1998 that was last sprayed with broadleaf herbicide in 2006. The Community Garden Project is a collaboration between students, staff and faculty and will serve as a sustainable food source and pedagogical tool for all NCC classes. The main campus has over 1, 000 square feet of impervious surface High-voltage lines run parallel to and between the swale and garden areas with a requisite sub-surface ground wire 75’ on either side cannot be disturbed ~225’ between swale and power lines

Aerial View of NCC Main Campus

Topographic Map of Swale Site (Red lines: 2’ contours)

Dimensions of Existing Swale Two existing swales built in 1968: North detention pond: ~475’ long; ~54’ wide South detention pond: ~737’ long; ~33’ wide

Benefits of Bioswale/ Rain Garden Provide safe, inexpensive, recycled water source for gardening needs Decrease amount and quality of untreated runoff that empties into Nancy Run Watershed Provide habitat for native species Improve aesthetics Combat carbon emissions Provide a functioning model and teaching opportunity for students and the community

Possible Pollutants Found in Runoff Water Assays Debris Organic Hydrocarbons- petroleats- oil, gasoline etc. Heavy metals- Copper, Zinc, Mercury, Cadmium Animal waste Coliform bacteria

Projected Bioswale/ Rain Garden Plan Layered organic and inorganic material Vegetation/organisms that are useful in the biodegradation of pollutants UV Filters? Percolate collection system Filtrate containment system- cistern Recycled water delivery system

Desired Outcome Functional, efficient and expandable working bioswale A water containment and delivery system for the garden Functional, aesthetically pleasing, ecologically-valuable rain garden to serve as an entry way to our garden Pedagogical model for all visitors to the garden Mutually beneficial educational intercollegiate collaboration and sharing of knowledge, ideas and creative solutions

Far-Reaching Effects 10

Sources http: //www. ecohusky. uconn. edu/raingardens. htm http: //www. elibrary. dep. state. pa. us/dsweb/Get/Documen t-48472/00_Cover_TOC. pdf http: //www. raingardennetwork. com/about. htm http: //www. epa. gov/owm/mtb/biortn. pdf mmacdonald 1@spartan. northampton. edu vickybastidas 1@hotmail. com rappa 85@hotmail. com kmklein@northampton. edu