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 to develop a rain garden aimed at filtering nitrogen and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. This initiative is part of the annual Long Island Water Quality Challenge.
The challenge allows students to contribute to improving water quality on Long Island and reducing nitrogen pollution through green infrastructure solutions. It is organized by the Long Island Regional Planning Council in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Conservation, under the umbrella of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP), which seeks to reduce nitrogen pollution over several years.
Led by science teacher Christopher Orlando, the student team consists of 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 school grounds using native plants to manage stormwater runoff. The project received $2,187 for implementation.
Several speakers addressed attendees at the ceremony. Among them were 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.
“Nitrogen pollution in our waterways from runoff is one of the most serious challenges facing Long Island,” said Chairman Cameron. “Our Water Quality STEAM challenge enhances awareness of the problem and encourages students to become a part of the solution.”
