Storm Lake Resident Prompts Statewide Backyard Broadcast

May 18, 2007

Storm Lake Water Quality Coordinator Kimberley Proctor’s appearance on WHO Radio’s “The Big Show” in January 2007 was memorable for farm broadcaster Bob Quinn. He remembered Proctor describing the benefits rain gardens offer landowners and thought, “Why not at my house?” Quinn did research and then, in early May, contacted the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Des Moines for more information. He and his wife, Ann, studied the material and discussed options. A site away from the house was selected, simple soil tests were done and the Quinns made the decision that a rain garden would be a perfect fit for their backyard. 

Since Quinn is a radio farm reporter, he decided to broadcast the “play-by-play” installation of the rain garden from the backyard of his home. The construction and radio show takes place Tuesday, May 29 at Quinn’s West Des Moines house and Proctor will be there.

Proctor couldn’t be happier. During her original radio interview, she described to Quinn and his statewide audience the $1.4 million Storm Lake project that is installing large rain gardens and a system of erosion control structures that will benefit the local area and those downstream. To illustrate the importance of this project to others, Proctor pointed out the studio window to the nearby Raccoon River. She told Quinn since the Storm Lake watershed eventually drains into the Raccoon River, what Storm Lake residents do in their watershed can profit the people of central Iowa.   

Des Moines draws drinking water from the Raccoon River.   

Proctor said, “Whether they are huge like the Storm Lake ones or backyard size, rain gardens offer all landowners and those downstream many benefits. This is a farm proven technology. Rain gardens have been shown to mimic many of the advantages wetlands offer the environment, but on a much smaller scale. Just like wetlands, rain gardens can reduce flooding, improve water quality and offer habitat to birds, animals and butterflies.” 

“Besides,” she adds, “rain gardens also add beauty and value to many homes.” 

An employee of the Buena Vista Soil and Water Conservation District, Proctor works with many partners to reduce soil erosion, flooding and to improve water quality. They include the cities of Alta and Storm Lake, NRCS, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, 319 Water Quality Project, Iowa Lakes Resource Conservation and Development, Lake Preservation Association, Lake Improvement Commission and the Watershed Improvement Review Board.    

Proctor will also be attending a meeting in Des Moines the same day as Quinn’s rain garden installation and broadcast. 

The WHO Radio broadcast can be heard statewide from 6:00 to 9:00 am and 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at 1040AM or on the web at www.whoradio.com.

To receive more information about rain gardens, call 888-LANDCARE or go on-line at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov and click on the Backyard link.   

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