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Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College. Community Garden Bioswale/ Rain Garden Project Proposal Michael MacDonald, Lucas Rappa and Victoria Bastidas Faculty Advisor: Professor Karen M. Klein. . NCC East 40- Community Garden Project Background.

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Northampton Community College

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

  2. 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 1,000,000 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

  3. Aerial View of NCC Main Campus

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

  5. Dimensions of ExistingSwale • Two existing swales built in 1968: • North detention pond: ~475’ long; ~54’ wide • South detention pond: ~737’ long; ~33’ wide

  6. 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

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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Far-Reaching Effects

  11. Sources • http://www.ecohusky.uconn.edu/raingardens.htm • http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-48472/00_Cover_TOC.pdf • http://www.raingardennetwork.com/about.htm • http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biortn.pdf mmacdonald1@spartan.northampton.edu vickybastidas1@hotmail.com rappa85@hotmail.com kmklein@northampton.edu

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