WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2009 – Brent Elementary, a public school on Capitol Hill, dedicated its new rain garden today.

"This rain garden is an attractive way to reduce the amount of storm water entering the sewer system while providing a fun learning laboratory for Brent's students and neighbors," said Christie Vilsack, wife of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Teaching our kids about how water moves through the landscape is invaluable. This is an effective way to manage our precious water resources."

The rain garden was installed through a collaborative effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the District of Columbia's Department of the Environment. Besides its environmental function, the Brent Elementary School rain garden will provide a living, outdoor classroom for the students.

"Conservation and kids go hand-in-hand, and this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate conservation accomplishments and teach the next generation of conservationists," said Dave White, NRCS Chief.

Storm water runoff flows over landscapes and into the sewer system, eventually entering the nearest body of water, instead of percolating into the soil. Up to 70 percent of pollution in lakes, rivers and streams is what is known as non-point source pollution, or pollution that doesn't come from specific sources, such as urban runoff.

Rain gardens reduce the storm water runoff into drainage systems and help clean water by filtering pollution before it enters watersheds. The Brent Elementary School rain garden will help clean water that eventually ends up in the Chesapeake Bay.

Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer provided entertainment for the dedication ceremony. The duo are winners of two Grammy Awards.

For information on NRCS programs and projects, and its nationwide conservation partnership, stop by your local USDA service center or visit NRCS online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

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