A team of students from William Floyd High School has been awarded a grant by the Long Island Regional Planning Council. The grant supports their project aimed at developing a rain garden to filter nitrogen and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. This initiative is part of the annual Long Island Water Quality Challenge.
The Water Quality Challenge provides an opportunity for students to contribute to improving water quality on Long Island and reducing nitrogen pollution on school grounds through green infrastructure solutions. It was developed by the Long Island Regional Planning Council in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Conservation as part of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP), which aims to reduce nitrogen pollution.
The William Floyd team, led by science teacher Christopher Orlando, includes students Alice Chen, Victoria Basharina, Kayla Bundick, Angelina Campos, Rachel Chen, Hiba Farooq, Axel Pesantez, Muhammad Saad, Violet Yau, Steven Lin, and Emirhan Birben. Their proposal titled “Gorgeous Gardens” involves planting rain gardens in low-lying areas of the school grounds using native plants to manage stormwater runoff from impermeable surfaces. The project received a grant amounting to $2,187.
During the ceremony recognizing this achievement, several speakers addressed attendees including WFHS senior Alice Chen; WFHS science teacher Christopher Orlando; WFSD science chairperson Dawna Cintron; Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico; Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella; and LIRPC chairman John Cameron.
Chairman Cameron stated: “Nitrogen pollution in our waterways from runoff is one of the most serious challenges facing Long Island, and our Water Quality STEAM challenge enhances awareness of the problem and encourages students to become a part of the solution.”