Yes, we can “build” a natural environment.

Today we had a chance to visit one of Albany’s sustainable development projects.

Talking Walking Garden means “sound” of waterfalls.

The 60-acre Talking Water Gardens is an engineered water treatment wetland right in the City of Albany. The Project was built in 2010 thru a partnership by the cities of Albany and Millersburg with metals manufacturer ATI.

The man-made wetland has various benefits: restore riparian forest and wetlands through plantings of native species; reduce water temperature, or excess thermal load (ETL) to protect sensitive fish habitat; naturally aerate and treat water to improve water quality by reducing pollutant levels, including the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus; promote wildlife habitat; create a living laboratory that brings wetland science to students and visitors about responsible water reclamation and environmental sustainability; and create a new natural attraction, among others.

There are many varieties of wetland plants at Talking Water Gardens including emergent aquatic plants that cast a shadow over the water for a cooling effect, as well as submerged and floating vegetation.