In this activity and lesson plan, students will observe and record rainfall to determine how much rainwater is filtered by their garden. The goal is to help students understand that the ecological benefits of the garden include improved water quality for the surrounding watershed. They will learn that the permeable surfaces that are part of the garden ecosystem naturally absorb and filter rainwater that otherwise could collect pollutants on impermeable surfaces, flow into the sewer system, and then into natural waterways, where it would cause harm to all members of the ecosystem.

Find a video here to accompany this lesson plan.