Native Plant And Rain Barrel Workshop At Hubbard Park Next Week

SHOREWOOD, WI — An event next week at Hubbard Park will offer residents a free native plant and a certificate for a free rain barrel as part of a "Go Native!" educational workshop, according to the Village of Shorewood website.

The workshop will discuss native plants, rain barrels and landscaping ideas, the village website said. After the workshop, participants will receive a free native plant and a certificate for a free rain barrel, the website said.

The Shorewood Waters Project, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District and Marek Landscaping will be presenting the event next week at the Hubbard Park River Club. The workshop will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on July 27.

Registration is required for the workshop. Email swp@villageofshorewood.org to make a reservation.

The Shorewood Waters Project began in 2011 with a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, according to the project website. The Federal agency gave the project $240,000 to assess storm water management in the village. The grant money ended in 2013, but the Village Department of Public Works continues to create engaging events and education programs, its website said.

Ultimately, the Waters Project seeks to protect the waters that surround Shorewood, the project website said. Rain barrels and native plants can work together to create a healthier garden for pollinators, and can prevent sewer overflows during intense rainfall events, according to the EPA.

Sewer overflows can cause raw sewage to be spilled in Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River.

Another initiative from the Waters Project is native gardening for bees, birds and butterflies.

The project created an informational packet about how to plant a garden for pollinators. Native plants work best to provide the shelter, pollen and food that bees, birds and butterflies need.