Habitat-Rich Rain Gardens & Planters

Service Description

After 15 years designing and building infiltration rain gardens and filtration rain planters, Wendy Allen is now very happy to have a cuppa, share her knowledge and inspire others to put RAINWATER, our most valuable resource, first in every project solution. Much of the work garden professionals do is hidden from view and therefore goes unnoticed. Much of the knowledge of SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) is still not taught at colleges. By understanding rainfall and simple ways to prioritise rainwater in every green space, garden professionals can create - and care for - small nature-based and fun solutions, in the process further expanding their own knowledge of larger scale SuDS. This increased awareness, understanding and perspective is essential to navigate our changing climate and to provide habitat and biodiversity to the best of our ability. SESSION TOPICS MAY INCLUDE: - SuDS terminology and why language matters - Size: where do small SuDS components fit in a surface water solution? - Existing SuDS guidance and where to find it - How to find and use rainfall figures to inform your solutions - Understanding volumes to manage and plan care of a space - Sensible practical skills that work - Confidence with creative rainwater - Plant selection tips - Insights into community involvement - Practical work to make (and hopefully finish) a habitat-rich rain planter on site BIOGRAPHY: Wendy Allen is an experienced award-winning UK garden designer, project leader, consultant and trainer who specialises in creative, biodiverse rain gardens and rain planters as part of small, retrofit Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). In addition to private gardens and show gardens, Wendy has designed many rainscapes for UK Rivers Trust ‘Action for the River Kennet’ (ARK) where she led teams of ARK volunteers within communities and schools to build the projects, which all have a positive benefit for people, rivers and biodiversity. Wendy now shares inspiration, nature-based surface water solutions and techniques in talks, lectures and workshops. @wendyallendesigns Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky @thewendyallen Twitter/X www.wendyallendesigns.co.uk