There is a basin green space adjacent to Edison High School called the Holland Basin. This was an existing basin that was converted to treat stormwater for water quality improvement. Spark-Y was tasked with leading our local community in the planting of 4,000+ rain garden plants in and around the basin to help with stormwater management. We engaged over 100 local youth and volunteers in the planning of the Holland Basin rain garden. The plants in this giant rain garden will help to filter and treat water flowing into the basin from the surrounding streets. The converted portion of the basin presents a real-world learning lab for environmental topics of native habitat, water quality, and stormwater management. Holland Basin provides a highly visible project with a multiple year outreach and plant observation and care opportunity.

Kare11 Saturday: Youth, environmental organizations plant rain garden in northeast Minneapolis
May 2021

“The partnership between Spark-Y and Great River Greening is unique in that Spark-Y recruits, trains, and pays teens for their participation in the project, while Great River Greening provides technical expertise when it comes to planting shrubs and wildflowers, installing rain gardens, and teaching teens and volunteers about water quality.”

Watch the full video here

Watch this video to learn more about the history of the site and why this rain garden project is important for the environment in Minneapolis.

Native plants have evolved and adapted to a certain location over thousands of years. Watch to learn more about why we are planting them in the Holland Basin, and get introduced to some of the specific plants we'll be working with.

Where does a raindrop go after it falls? It depends on where it lands. Learn about how green spaces like the Holland Basin can help keep local water bodies free of pollutants.

Did you know there are things you can do at home to prevent water pollution from stormwater runoff? Watch this video to learn how.

Video Production

Using WeVideo, pairs of students took the lead making short video clips about Native Plants, Stormwater Management, or Water Quality. **See videos above

Communication & outreach

Students helped our outreach department recruit volunteers, make promotional materials, design social media posts, and more!

Youth Project Leader

Youth were trained in project management and leadership and managed group pods during the plant installation.

Project Installation

Youth helped 4,000+ plants during the youth and community planting day on May 22nd, 2021.