ENJOYING THE RAIN (GARDEN). Unity Church has taken a unique opportunity to turn greenspace into an educational and beautiful resource. (Submitted photo)

Your yard is eroding from constant rainfall! What do you do? Sandbags? Dig a moat? Move?! Well, have you ever considered creating a rain garden?

That was the answer for Unity Church in Eau Claire. After almost a quarter century at their current four acre location at 1808 Folsom St., Administrative Coordinator Timothy Haukness and his congregation decided to help curb the erosion happening in their parking lot by creating a rain garden.

“Everyone was very concerned with what was going on in the parking lot,” Haukness stated. With the creative help from the church’s Master Gardener Grounds Coordinator, Mari Jackson, they developed a rain garden to help with the water runoff from the parking lot and building.

"Rain gardens are landscaped areas planted with specific vegetation that soaks up rain water and slowly filters it into the ground rather than running off into nearby storm drains."

MARI JACKSON

UNITY CHURCH MASTER GARDENER GROUNDS COORDINATOR

After securing a grant from the Rain to River of Western Wisconsin Grant program, Mari was well underway to create a multi-use garden on the grounds. As explained by Mari, “Rain gardens are landscaped areas planted with specific vegetation that soaks up rain water and slowly filters it into the ground rather than running off into nearby storm drains. Other benefits of rain gardens are that they help stop erosion in targeted locations and create pollination for local wildlife and insects.” 

Don’t think for a moment that Mari is doing everything by herself though! “From the initial digging of the nearly 20 foot soil depression to constant upkeep and watering schedules, our group does it all,” Haukness explained.

As part of the grant requirements, Mari and Timothy are excited to start the process of securing an Education Coordinator to create classes to help teach the community about rain gardens, beautifying their own surroundings and living in harmony with nature.

While walking through her newly blooming creation, Mari paused while admiring her favorite addition to the garden, the Anise Hyssop plant. She stated with a smile, “I’m just trying to help in my small way to save the world! And you know, it’s not as hard as you may think!”

To learn more and stay up to date on the project, visit Unity Church (1808 Folsom St., Eau Claire) or visit their website and Facebook page.