Bioswales Stewardship Volunteering!

Spearheaded by YSE MEM student, Michelle Jiang, URI and Water LC are co-hosting a bioswale clean-up volunteering event! We’ll meet at the Chapel Street bioswale between High Street and College Street, near Starbucks, to pick up litter and help with guided weeding. Come meet fellow volunteers and help care for New Haven’s green spaces. Tools and gloves will be provided, and no experience is needed. Light refreshments will be provided. What is a bioswale? Bioswales are manually dug depressions designed to collect and infiltrate stormwater runoff in urban areas, with the goal of reducing the throughput of harmful pollutants to the Long Island Sound and its tributaries. New Haven's extensive impervious surfaces and combined sewer systems lead to high volume stormwater movement in the cityscape, and bioswales can handle high flows without being invasive to homeowners and pedestrians due to their high capacity and right-of-way design. Vegetation maintenance and debris removal are key to making sure our bioswales remain effective during large flood events.