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ENVIRONMENT Hanby students make a difference with storm runoff project Work beautifies the school, protects the Rogue River Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News GOLD HILL — Hanby Middle School honor students spent their Friday morning planting shrubs and bushes to improve a messy storm water runoff area near the south side of their historic school. If all goes as planned, an approximately 200-square-foot bioswale area designed and planned over the course of the school year will control runoff. That will minimize unwanted sediment and debris running into a nearby storm drain and eventually the Rogue River. Organizers for the project, a partnership between the city of Gold Hill, Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District and Hanby Middle School, say more than vegetation was planted on one of the warmest days so far this year. Students learned the importance of managing storm water runoff and protecting streams while beautifying their campus and enjoying some good old-fashioned manual labor. The project was funded by the conservation district in trade for labor provided by students, a few hours time from the city's public works department and from grant-funded AmeriCorps employee Molly Bradley, a participant via the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments program. For all the technical jargon and acronyms involved, eighth-graders Emme Herring and Morgan Thomas-Mullings figured the important thing was that they were helping care for their school and their hometown along the river. "We tested the water to see what kind of soil was here and it wasn't the right kind. It was clay, so the water would run right over it and into the river," said the 14-year-old Emma. "The rain would come down the hill and take all this stuff we're standing on, the rocks and dirt and stuff, into the storm system. So we changed the dirt and planted plants that will take in the water and hold onto water instead of letting it all just run." Both with younger siblings attending Hanby next year as they head to Crater High, Emme and Morgan said they planned to keep an eye on the new bioswale area and a handful of other planned improvements. "For now, we put some bark bags down so during rainy season, while this is all still loose, it doesn't take everything with it while it's being established," Morgan, also 14, said. "This is just the beginning. We're planning some other projects and we'll come back and check on it to see how it's doing." While the project would look, at first glance, like a small landscaped area, Bradley said bioswales are an important part of dealing with surface water runoff. Hired to implement the city's surface water management plan, she said the bioswale project was an ideal partnership for everyone involved. "Right now the storm water goes directly to the river without any filtration," she noted. "These projects make a huge difference on water quality and impact on rivers and fish." Project cost was estimated around $12,000, including construction labor, project coordination, classes with students, project materials and maintenance of the area for one year. Funding was covered by the conservation district, with a 50 percent match provided through the labor of the students and Bradley. Lori Tella, urban and community planner for the soil and water district, called the project a success. Judy Harris, teacher and leadership adviser for the students, said the project provided a number of valuable lessons for students, from the benefits of hard work to stewardship of the environment. "I think the environmental piece is really important," Harris said. "The kids really owned the project and felt strongly about what they were doing and, coupled with pride of ownership because this is their home base, they were showing that we at Hanby care about our school and the environment. "Then they put their minds and their muscle behind getting the work done. Long term, these kids will be able to look back and realize they were able to have this impact." Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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