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Challenge
Irvington Green Initiative, an initiative of Irvington Development Organization (IDO) which takes an apolitical approach toward encouraging people to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, brought a teaching rain garden to Irvington Community School (ICS). Adjacent to the Pennsy Trail, the ICS Teaching Rain Garden will provide a native habitat of fauna and flora, to filter pollutants from runoff, reduce flooding potential of storm water, and serve as a scenic addition to the neighborhood. Mundell is proud to partner with community organizations and local businesses to make this initiative a reality.
Action
Through the generous assistance of a GINI Image Grant and LISC Technical Assistance dollars, coupled with pro-bono services from the local community, IDO formed a multi-sector partnership with ICS, the Irvington Garden Club, One 10 Studio, Remenschneider Associates Inc., Elements Engineering, Mundell and Indy Parks to build the teaching rain garden. Moreover, Mundell will conduct bi-annual storm water sampling to monitor the water quality, as well as complement the science curriculum at ICS by educating the students about data collection and analysis through the sampling experience. Mundell provided signage for the families and staff of ICS and users of the Pennsy Trail to promote public awareness of the rain garden.
Results
Mundell donated over 200 hours of labor towards the fruition of the ICS Teaching Rain Garden, as volunteering efforts from the president and his wife, the staff and interns collaborated with the Irvington community. Mundell continues to document the progress of this rain garden through still and time lapse photography, in addition to developing a continuing education component that aims to raise public awareness about this low impact development. A PowerPoint presentation suitable for 4th and 5th graders has been created for teachers’ use, shared with its neighbors during ICS Parents, Teachers, and Student Associations Meeting on October 18, 2010.
