Madison County, with grant writing and technical assistance from Mountain Valleys RC&D, constructed rain gardens at the Town of Mars Hill Government Center and at the Madison County Extension Office. Rain gardens are gardens containing flowering plants and grasses (preferably native species of both) that can survive in soil soaked with water from rain storms. However, they are not gardens that have standing water. Rain Gardens collect and slow stormwater runoff and increase its infiltration into the soil.

These attractive gardens help reduce the rapid flow of stormwater from homes and businesses to storm drains and thus protect streams and lakes from pollutants that are washed from house roofs and paved areas. These educational demonstration projects increase public awareness of the importance of water quality.