Note: This course was offered in 2019. We are maintaining this web page to provide basic information about the course, with the hope of being able to offer it again in the future.
What is it? 
The Kalamazoo area Master *Rain* Gardener program aims to increase the number of rain gardens filtering stormwater throughout the greater Kalamazoo area. The program consists of a 5-week training course, hands-on experience building a rain garden, and on-going volunteer component to maintain and expand rain gardens.
The course is an in-depth and in-person class that will teaches students everything needed to create a living rain garden at home or place of work. The class leads students through all phases, from locating and designing to planting and maintaining a beautiful and functional rain garden. Those who attend all five classes and build their own rain garden, volunteer on a group project, or adopt a public rain garden will gain their certification. Become an expert and share your knowledge with your community!
Class Syllabus
Week 1: Introduction to Rain Gardens
Week 2: Moving Dirt to Move Water & Site Selection Principles
Week 3: How To: Measuring, Planning, Digging, Sculpting
Week 4: Plant Designs: Rain Garden Plant Palette
Week 5: Present Your Plan
What’s a rain garden?
We know this term is new to a lot of people. A rain garden mimics nature by letting rain water soak into the ground. It’s a garden bed planted in a shallow depression with plants especially adapted for dry and wet conditions. Explore the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council’s rain garden webpage for more info.
What has the program accomplished?
As part of the Master *Rain* Gardener program, students who finish the class and plant their own rain garden gain their rain gardener certification.
Certified Master *Rain* Gardeners
- Monique Kinney
- Bonita Alkema
- Sherryl Arno-Bosker
- Jane Bruns
- Colleen Cook
- Robert Diemer
- Gina Frasson-Hudson
- Kimberly Ginn
- Hannah Hudson
- Kim LaViolette
- Kendra Leep
- Megan O’Kon-Osetek
- Greg Potter
- Diane Wenger
- Rich Harrison
- Karma Hassell
- Kim Patrie
- Diane Lundquist
- Kelly Burt
- Dawn Dahlinger
- Elyse Kap
- Katrina Lyle
- Anne Mount
- Paul Rehkopf
- LaRue Russell
- Jan Sneddon
- Belinda Cygan
- Deanna Dauten
- Samantha Cree
- Louise Anderson
- Len Swanson
- Ellen Nelson
- Heidi Weiss
- Kim Steinmann
- Travis Wilcox
- Gina Jones
- Carolyn Kennedy
- Shelley Metz
- Amanda Hill
- Kelsey Terpstra
- Dale Estey
Project partners
We would like to recognize the many community partners involved in the Kalamazoo Master *Rain* Gardener class and greater green infrastructure project lead by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Thank you to many KVCC departments, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, MSU Extension and Master Gardeners, Kalamazoo County Land Bank and Common Grounds, Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner, Kieser & Associates, Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, InSite Design Studio, Inc., Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This NPS Pollution Control project has been funded in part through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Nonpoint Source Program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement #C9975474-16 to Kalamazoo Valley Community College for the Gardening Kalamazoo for Clean Water project. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Environmental Quality, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.