We have three special guests this time and a jam packed episode all about stormwater management! We talk extensively with Mark Rufener (PE, CPESC, CPSWQ) from K.E. McCartney & Associates (a local engineering firm) regarding "The Gateway Project", Kingwood Center Garden's capital plan to create a new garden entrance and visitor experience, completed in the last few years. As part of this plan, Kingwood integrated several stormwater BMPs (Best Management Practices) into the new visitor center and parking lot. Mark Rufener is a professional in stormwater infrastructure engineering and management and played a large part in the design of these BMPs. He also worked closely with another Mark (Hoover) who is Kingwood's lead horticulturalist (translating as "plant wizard"). Mark Hoover was in charge of selecting the plant material to be used in some of the BMPs, because as you'll discover, plants play a critical role in stormwater management. Additionally, Evan caught up with Dan Herrold who is another technician at Richland SWCD. Dan heads up the MS4 program there, which ties into what we talk about in the rest of the episode. So, sit back and enjoy!

LINKS!!!

Kingwood's Interactive Map: https://kingwoodcenter.org/kiosk/garden-gateway/

North East Ohio Rain Garden Manual: www.geaugaswcd.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/2013_RainGardenManual_GeaugaSWCD.2762917.pdf

North East Ohio Master/Professional Rain Gardener Certification: https://neomasterraingardener.org/

Richland SWCD's Stormwater resources

- General: https://richlandswcd.net/services/water/stormwater

- Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels: https://richlandswcd.net/services/water/rain-gardens

- Do I need a Stormwater Permit? https://richlandswcd.net/services/do-i-need-a-permit

- Interactive Richland Co Watershed Map: https://richlandswcd.net/services/water/watersheds-of-richland-county

- Water Quality Data Map for Richland Co: https://richlandswcd.net/services/water/water-data-map

More on Best Management Practices:

- https://richlandswcd.net/services/water/stormwater/epa-best-practice

- https://sswcd.summitoh.net/sites/default/files/2019-01/Post%20Construction%20O%26M.pdf

OUR WEBSITES/PHONE NUMBERS

K.E. McCartney & Associates: https://kemccartney.com/

Richland Soil & Water Conservation District: 419-747-8686 | https://richlandswcd.net/

Kingwood Center Gardens: https://kingwoodcenter.org/

MUSIC

We have been generously granted permission to use the music in this podcast by the artists who made it. Songs used are: "Run One Down" by Dan Lebowitz (our theme music), "Busy City" & "Easy Stroll" by TrackTribe.