Community Based Restoration Initiatives in East Central Alabama

1. Community Based Restoration Initiatives in East Central Alabama Eve Brantley, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Charlene LeBleu, Auburn University, Landscape Architecture A USDA CSREES National Integrated Water Quality Program Project

2. Working with Alabama Communities Communities at the urban-rural interface • City of Alexander City • Town of Pike Road • City of Eufaula • City of Brewton

3. Partnerships … Auburn University Department of Landscape Architecture Alabama Clean Water Partnership Alabama Cooperative Extension System Local Stakeholders

4. AU Landscape Architecture • Incorporate communities into their Environmental Studio • Students lead Community Charettes • Assess existing conditions & listen to community concerns • Prepare draft plans to address water quality issues – ‘Blue Prints’

6. AL Cooperative Extension System • Educational and technical resources • Workshops and seminars • Intro to stream restoration • Stormwater BMP Academy • Stormwater and watershed management information

7. On-line Resourceswww.aces.edu/waterquality

8. Watershed management resources, demonstration projects, and local contacts

9. LID Play • Interactive land use & planning activity

10. Implementation • Assisting with designs and outreach Rain Garden example: City of Alexander City, Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership, Tallapoosa County Extension System, Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Boys and Girls Club, and AU Landscape Architecture Department

11. NCSU BAE NCSU BAE NCSU BAE Dealing With Stormwater Post-construction BMPs have been tested that address both stormwater quality and quantity • Rain Gardens • Constructed Wetlands • Permeable Parking • Green Roofs

12. NCSU BAE NCSU BAE NCSU BAE Rain Gardens • Designed to capture first inch of rain and allow it to soak into the soil, watering the plants in the rain garden • Saucer shaped depressions that typically have 6 – 9 inches of water when completely filled with stormwater

13. Rain Gardens • Alexander City – 3 highly visible sites • Radney Middle School • Benjamin Russell High School • Sport Plex

14. Radney Middle School

15. Radney Middle School

16. Benjamin Russell High School

17. Total Costs

18. Education and Outreach • BMP tours • Presentations to City Councils, Alabama NPS Conference, University classes, Grocery Store line, just about anywhere we get invited!

19. Lessons Learned • Keep plants watered • Follow up maintenance after big rains

20. Lessons Learned • Community Education • Newspaper articles • Tours • Incorporated in local school programs

21. Students Benefit • AU Landscape Architecture students get to experience real world problems and suggest innovative solutions

22. City of Eufaula & Brewton • Set up a meeting with the students to learn more about local priorities and thoughts • Students explore around town and find ideas for water quality projects that meet the goals • Final ‘BluePrint’ presentation by students to group • Implement projects? Hopefully!

23. AL Cooperative Extension System Upcoming Workshops and Seminars • Intro to Stream Restoration, Oct. 18 & 19 Montgomery • Stormwater BMP Academy, Spring 2006

24. Contact Us • Charlene LeBleu, leblecm@auburn.edu (334) 844-0192 • Eve Brantley, brantef@auburn.edu (334) 844-3927