Subaru is also planning to install the second one later in November 2011 at the company’s Pennsauken, New Jersey office.
The two rain gardens will help reduce nutrients and pollutants, into surrounding rivers and streams, such as the Cooper River that runs along the edge of the Subaru headquarters grounds.
Subaru collaborated with the Camden County Soil Conservation District and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Rutgers University to deploy the rain gardens.
Rain gardens are shallow depressions in lawns and fields that collect rainwater, which then percolates down through layers of rock, gravel or other drainage.
Camden County Soil Conservation District project director Craig McGee said the rain garden will allow rain water to soak into the ground instead of runoff to the streams and rivers, and at the same time provide a valuable landscape enhancement.
Rutgers University Rutgers Cooperative Extension senior project manager Jeremiah Bergstrom said rain gardens are an effective way to reduce routine maintenance costs while protecting the environment and improving water quality.
Subaru, a subsidiary of Japan-based Fuji Heavy Industries, markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories across the US.
