Think Spring with Plant Dane! Order Native Plants or Attend a Rain Garden Workshop

February 13, 2020
Christal Campbell
Land & Water Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christal Campbell, Stormwater Education Coordinator, 608-224-3746

Think Spring with Plant Dane! Order Native Plants or Attend a Rain Garden Workshop

MADISON, WI – February 13, 2020 - Dane County and the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP) are now accepting plant orders for their annual Plant Dane Native Plant Program.  The Plant Dane Program provides native plants to schools, non-profit organizations, municipalities and residents in Dane County for a fraction of the normal retail cost. Consider converting some of your lawn or pavement into a native garden this spring. Not only are native plants beautiful, but they provide important ecosystem services such as habitat for local wildlife and improved water quality.

Native plants also act as sponges helping rainwater soak into the ground preventing polluted stormwater runoff from reaching area lakes, rivers and streams. Choose from more than 40 native plant species including: butterfly, prairie medicinal and rain garden kits. Plants are $2.25 each and all species must be ordered in multiples of four. Donations to purchase native plants for school and community projects will be accepted through Plant Dane again this year. Program details are available at https://ripple-effects.com/plantdane.  All orders must be received by March 20th, 2020.

Native plants can be used to create attractive gardens that reduce lawn-maintenance time and costs. Are you new to the world of native gardening? Consider building a rain garden to capture stormwater runoff. Register for the Plant Dane Rain Garden Workshop on Saturday, February 29th at the Fitchburg Community Center. The cost is only $10. The workshop will include presentations and resources to guide participants through the process of site selection, sizing, site preparation, and plant selection. Information on installation and maintenance will also be provided. Experts will be on hand to help participants design a plan tailored to their site.

 For more information or to register visit https://ripple-effects.com/plantdane .

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