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PROJECT SHEET PDF HERE

Operation Brightside/Marine Week

SWT Design

As Marine Week St. Louis’ premier volunteer project, Operation Brightside’s Demonstration Garden and Learning Center is getting a full week of work from 20 members of the United States Marine Corps. Marine Week is a celebration showcasing the unique characteristics of America's Corps with more than 60 events across the St. Louis metropolitan area. This is the third annual Marine Week, with former events held at Boston in 2010 and Chicago in 2009.

The completion of Operation Brightside’s Demonstration Garden and Learning Center will mean helping many urban residents better connect with nature and cultivate environmental stewardship among city residents. SWT Design was commissioned to design the Demonstration Garden and Learning Center as an inspirational and ecological garden that incorporates art, ecological habitats and sustainable design education opportunities.

The outdoor classroom will showcase natural urban ecosystems and regional materials. The design incorporates low impact development techniques including porous asphalt, pervious concrete, permeable paving, a rain garden, bioswales and native tree and wildflower plantings along the nature walk. When the Demonstration Garden and Learning Center comes to fruition, its goals are to: teach conservation techniques so residents value and protect resources, teach sustainable landscape techniques that save money and resources, foster environmental awareness and cultivate environmental stewardship and provide a natural habitat for beneficial wildlife in an urban setting.

By the end of Marine’s week in St. Louis, they will have planted 2,764 perennials at the 12,600 square foot garden. The dedication of Operation Brightside’s Demonstration Garden and Learning Center will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, June 24.