Through a grant from the Metropolitan Council, the City is working in partnership with the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District to incorporate a water harvesting and reuse system at Fire Station 2 (12142 Sunnybrook Road).

The goals of this project are to promote and demonstrate water conservation, reduce the City’s maintenance costs and dependence on ground water, and provide a pollinator-friendly habitat.

Over the summer, native landscaping features were installed on the property; however, restoration of native plantings can take three to five years to mature. This fall, visitors to the site will see a rainwater collection system installed, and can observe fast-growing annual grasses, which help prevent weed infestation and stabilize soils.

By next summer, some colorful native plant species will begin to emerge – and over the next few years, a healthy, thick stand of attractive native plants will start to support a growing population of pollinators.

edenprairie.org/SustainableEP