Integrating Extension, Teaching, and Research for Stormwater Management Education

Abstract

Stormwater management is a concern for communities in the United States, particularly those with populations over 10,000 because of mandates to reduce runoff volumes and associated pollutants. An extension Stormwater and Greenspace Work Group was organized at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln (UNL) in 2006 to develop educational programs addressing municipal stormwater runoff using green infrastructure and other best management practices. A USDA-NIFA integrated grant was received in 2009 which greatly expanded the audience and scope of programming to include extension, education, and research components. Extension programming was targeted at design and green industry professionals, MS4 stormwater program managers, municipal officials, Master Gardeners, and homeowners. Extension activities included: meeting presentations; all-day rain garden workshops/installations; green infrastructure tours; rain barrel construction workshops; web-based resources; interactive rain garden models; youth activities; and publications. Academic programs in landscape architecture and landscape horticulture expanded curriculum in green infrastructure, low impact development, and stormwater best management practice design and construction. Efforts have culminated in new course lectures as well as studio design projects that conceptually addressed real-world clients and stormwater management projects. Project research studies evaluated in-situ rain garden hydrologic and plant growth attributes, homeowner perspectives on rain garden installation programs, and current regional bioretention design standards. The strong integration of extension, teaching, and research, which can often be a significant challenge, is a primary key to the success of UNL stormwater management programming. The resulting synergy has helped communities and individuals more effectively manage stormwater quantity and quality while building a knowledge-base that will support future initiatives and programs.