The City of Defiance and Defiance SWCD have partnered with public entities to install three public rain gardens in Defiance county. These rain gardens were designed with native plants as demonstration sites to inspire more rain gardens. The gardens can be viewed in Defiance at the public library parking lot, in Hicksville at the corner of Arthur and Main, and in Sherwood at the Apache Dairy Bar.
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Rain gardens and bio-retention/infiltration devices allow about 30 percent more water to soak into the ground compared to a conventional lawn. These native plant gardens enhance groundwater recharge, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, while attracting birds, butterflies and beneficial pollinators at the same time.
Through the Land to Lake initiative, at least 79 private and public rain gardens have been planted throughout the county!