Resident shares eye-opening video of town's innovative solution to flooding problem: 'Absolutely love this'

A TikToker posted an informative video explaining why rain gardens are such a beneficial addition to a suburban layout.

The TikToker Clancy Lester, the self-proclaimed Bee Man (@beesandblossoms.aus), shared the clip showing off some of his local rain gardens and pollinator patches.

He began the video acknowledging that he's "talked a bit of smack about local councils" in the past. However, in this particular post, he took the opportunity to highlight some good they've done in creating green infrastructure.

@beesandblossoms.aus 👏🏻🙌🏻Shout out to Rain Gardens💦🪴🌸 Rain gardens are shallow, planted depressions designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and streets. They use native plants, mulch, and soil layers to absorb water, reduce erosion, and prevent pollutants from reaching waterways. Unlike regular gardens, rain gardens are strategically placed to intercept runoff, allowing water to slowly percolate into the ground rather than overwhelming storm drains. This helps recharge groundwater while supporting biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Beyond their ecological benefits, rain gardens also enhance urban and suburban landscapes by adding aesthetic appeal and reducing localized flooding. They require minimal maintenance once established, relying on drought-tolerant and deep-rooted plants to manage water efficiently. By integrating rain gardens into residential and public spaces, communities can improve water quality, mitigate urban heat, and create resilient green spaces that support both people and wildlife. #RainGarden #GreenInfrastructure #StormwaterManagement #SustainableLandscaping #UrbanGreening #NatureBasedSolutions #EcoFriendlyLiving #WaterWiseGardening #ResilientCities #PollinatorFriendly #ClimateAdaptation #SustainableCities #RainwaterHarvesting #UrbanBiodiversity #NativePlants #LowImpactDevelopment #PermeableLandscaping #BlueGreenInfrastructure #WildlifeHabitat #EcoGardening #GreenStormwater #GardenForNature #SpongeCity #FloodResilience #UrbanEcology #fyp #foryoupage #foryou ♬ original sound - lucia🫶🏼

Lester went on to explain how these rain gardens work. He elaborated, "When we have sudden rain events in our city, which are covered in non-permeable surfaces, these surfaces speed up the flow of water causing flash floods."

The rain gardens are engineered with hydraulic elements, carefully selected plants, and layers of soil that foster absorption and drainage. By absorbing excess rainwater, these gardens help reduce runoff pollution and prevent flash flooding. They mimic natural water cycles, improving local water quality, replenishing groundwater, and nourishing wildlife habitats.

These gardens go hand in hand with the pollinator patches Lester pointed out. These are designated spaces filled with native plants that welcome bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, which helps local ecosystems thrive.

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Humans need pollinators, as about 35% of all food crops rely on these creatures for reproduction, the U.S. Department of Agriculture explained. Without them, biodiversity would suffer, and the global food supply would be in jeopardy. Communities with few to no native plants can't support pollinators, which can lead to ecosystem collapses.

Everyone can help pollinators thrive by installing natural lawns, caring for native plants, or rewilding their yard. These create more pollinator patches, which are beneficial for humans, animals, plants, and the entire Earth.

While it can be frustrating when governing entities fail to prioritize environmental policies and projects, it's important to acknowledge when they do make strides to help the planet.

Lester exemplified this attitude by simultaneously calling out councils for not safeguarding the environment and highlighting the positive decisions they've made.