319 Grant - Blooming Bioswale!

In January, this bioswale was seeded  with a native wildflower seed mix from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery.  Unlike fescue, it takes some time for wildflowers to start growing.  Finally in early June we saw some positive signs, the coreopsis began to bloom.  Then a few weeks later, lots of natives started really growing.  The bioswale has gone from sparse to filling out!

Bioswale in early June

Bioswale in mid-June

A bit of weeding was necessary to stymie the Johnson grass and ragweed from taking over.  A variety of natives are emerging including  Partridge Pea (Cassia Fasciculata) and Coreopsis.

Partridge Pea

Tickseed coreopsis blooming with some other natives emerging.

In addition to being beautiful, native plants root more deeply which keeps soil in place and encourages stormwater runoff to infiltrate deeper into the soil.  Plants filter sediment and pollutants from stormwater runoff before going to our creeks.  Even in the extreme heat of this summer, native plants are more suited to survive. 

Native plants require some initial maintenance, but in the long term, this swale will require mowing only once per year in the fall.  This bioswale will probably be over seeded with more natives this fall to force out weeds and fescue.

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319 Grant - Improving Stormwater on City Property

Check out the recent Columbia City Channel Production on our 319 Grant activity!

US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. (G11-NPS-12).

319 Grant Update - Ashley Street Bioswale Done!

 

Construction of the bioswale on Ashely Street is complete, just in time for a rainfall event!

What’s the difference between the before and after?  It’s all in what you DON’T see.  Much of the existing materials were excavated and replaced with an engineered soil mix.  The soil mix will filter the stormwater runoff from smaller storms, removing sediment, oil, grease, and excess nutrients.  Most of our rainfall events are smaller storms, therefore most of the runoff will be treated.  Runoff from large events will flow into the area inlet.  Native grass seed was sown in the bioswale.  Native grasses are more suited to the Missouri weather extremes.  Additionally, native grasses tend to be more deeply rooted encouraging infiltration and filtration of the runoff. 

BEFORE - Bioswale on Ashley Street prior to reconstruction

Excavation of existing material and reconstruction of area inlet.

Public Works Stormwater Crew placing rock in flowline on top of engineered soil mix.

AFTER - Bioswale on Ashley upon completion.

 We'll post more photos when the grass comes in!

 US Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has provided partial funding for this project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. (G11-NPS-12).

Green Roof AND Green WALLS

Keep your eye on this space!

Old Pump House at 3M Urban Ecological Restoration Site

The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is designing a green roof and green walls for the old pump house on site to create a viewing blind for the wetland and associated wildlife at the 3M Urban Ecological Restoration Project.    

Staff from Public Works, Boone County, MU, and Parks and Recreation recently toured a part of Lincoln University's Alan T. Busby Farm to learn more about their green walls and other sustainability projects.  Busby Farm contains the Compost Facility for Lincoln University, but they have a LOT more than compost going on there!

Dr. Hwei-Yiing Johnson, associate professor of Cooperative Research and Extension at Lincoln University, recycles food waste from the University kitchens by composting.  Dr. Johnson does traditional composting and vermi-composting, or composting with worms.  She does plant research and teaches classes how to compost for better plants.

Be sure to check out the City of Columbia's Learn to Compost Program by clicking here. 

Poster Describing Worm Bins

 

Underground Worm Composting Bin

Solar powered hot water heat to keep the underground worms warm in winter!

Additionally Dr. Johnson has developed a green roof and green walls to shelter the traditional compost while it is curing.  (This visit was in December, so the plants won't look very green.)

Compost curing area with green roof and walls - see "plant fuzz" on lower roof and stairs up to roof for research and maintenance

Green roof with sedum plants

Green wall using plant trays

A strung wire green wall for climbing vines - watch for this method at the old Pump House (note: rain barrel disconnected for winter)

The Lincoln University Compost Facility is a portion of a larger farm that they are managing for various sustainable and organic practices.  The Organic Program Manager, Chris Boeckmann, gave an overview of the animal grazing and crop research happening on the farm.

On site, they use rainbarrels to collect excess stormwater runoff from the green roof of the compost shed.  Additionally, they use raingardens and bioswales to treat runoff from the  compost shed and surrounding site. 

Bioswale and Raingarden treating stormwater runoff from compost shed

Lincoln University is seeking sustainable solutions to help farmers and our environment.  Through their research, the City of Columbia will benefit by creating green walls for our Parks and Recreation facility that will be more conducive to wildlife viewing and teaching the community how to implement sustainable solutions in the urban and rural environments.

Keep an eye on the building at the wetland and watch it turn into a “green” building.

Artist's Rendering of "Green" Viewing Platform at 3M Restoration Site

Your City staff is working to create a sustainable community we can all enjoy for years to come!