Many artists paint landscapes, but landscapes themselves can be works of art. Ecological art, or eco art for short, combines the creative vision of an artist with the expertise of civil engineers, landscape architects, horticulturists, and biologists who use native flora and fauna, rocks, soil, and the land to create a sustainable masterpiece.
In Martin County, the Ripple Stormwater Eco Art Project (Ripple…As a Drop of Water Becomes a River) is just that. Located a short walk from the parking lot at Charlie Leighton Park in Palm City, Ripple was created to combat the excessive rainwater in the area and provide an educational art trail for the public at the same time. Rainwater can become contaminated by things like oil, litter, waste, chemicals, and fertilizer. If left untreated, it can have negative effects on marine life, humans, animals, and plants. The phosphorous and nitrogen from fertilizers is especially harmful, contributing to algal blooms that can lead to the death of fish and cause various health issues. The Ripple project includes a stormwater treatment system that connects the Old Palm City area to the St. Lucie River at four sites—a wetland, a bioswale, a pond, and a beach—using nature as a filtration system. Water seeps through soil and limestone rocks, and native plants soak up nutrients, cleaning the water and helping to manage flooding.
“We have added a beautiful amenity to our community,” says Susan Kores, director of the Martin County Office of Community Development. “Martin County has a history of deep connection to the river and to the environmental aspect of that. Old Palm City is very low-lying, and there was lots of pollution in that river. That area is very biodiverse.”
The project includes a 2.36-acre walking trail with interactive art and educational installations that showcase the power of art and nature coming together. The collaborative effort involved eco artist Lucy Keshavarz, the county, and the community.
Since completion of the project in March, the total phosphorus has been reduced by 34 percent, and nitrogen has gone down by 72 percent. “We definitely hit our goals,” says Kores. “And those goals would be connection and responsibility to the river, education about environmental stewardship, and water quality.”
The Ripple project was made possible by two National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grants and the support of Martin County’s Community Redevelopment Agency, MartinArts, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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