Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Event: Make & Take Rain Barrel

I have toyed with the notion of a rain barrel for the past few years.

A rain barrel for those of you unfamiliar is basically a large plastic barrel that you hook up to your gutter down spot and it collects rain water.

Why would you want to do this?

Well, you then use that water to water your garden, lawn and flowers.  It saves money, it recycles a natural resource, it's better for your plants/lawn than tap water, due to the fact that it is naturally soft - free of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals.

I've also heard that some counties offer a tax credit for having a rain barrel.  This varies from county to county, so do a little research to see if you can take advantage of this in your area.  Why the credit?  Because by utilizing a rain barrel you are reducing the amount of water flowing into storm drains, sewer systems, and ultimately local waterways.

So why don't I have one?

Price: to buy a rain barrel is ridiculously pricey ($60 to $200).

Lack of ambition: it's super cheap to make a rain barrel, but you have to get the tools, supplies and research how to create one.

Is it worth it?

When the average rain barrel collects 70 gallons of water and that can feasible be collected with one good rainfall, I'd say, "hell yeah!"  Given our weather as of late, I wish I had ten barrels going.


For those of you like me, I have the answer!  Take a class, make the rain barrel there and take it home! Perfect!  Oh look, I just happened to find a few classes happening soon...

Here are the details:

What: Make and Take Rain Barrel Day
When: June 11, 2011
Location: Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District: 771 East Main St., Newark, Ohio 43055
Time: 10 a.m to 12 p.m.

"Learn to conserve water for use in your home and garden, and build a rain barrel to take home. Experts on conservation from the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District will be on hand to explain different techniques you can use in your home and garden, and lead you step by step in constructing your own rain barrel on site the day of the event."

Cost for Ohio Farm Bureau members: $75
Cost for nonmembers: $115
Deadline for registration: June 3

Learn more about this and other events!

Cuyahoga County Classes

Date Location Time How to register Notes

June 1
Rain Barrel workshop and Compost seminar

 
Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District offices -
Garfield
Heights
6:30pm - 8:00pm 216/524-6580, ext. 22  Held in collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and the City of Garfield Heights
 
 June 5
Look About Lodge -
South Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks
 
3:30pm - 4:30pm 440/247-7075 Hosted by the
Cleveland Metroparks
 June 9 Olmsted Township -
Olmsted Falls Middle School
call for workshop times 216/524-6580, ext. 14 Held in collaboration with the Rocky River Watershed Council and Olmsted Township
 July 13th Rocky River Nature Center 6:30pm - 8:00pm 216/524-6580, ext. 14
Held in collaboration with the Rocky River Watershed Council, Cleveland Metroparks, and the City of North Olmsted
 
 July 14 City of Brooklyn Grande
Pavilion
6:00pm - 7:30pm 216/524-6580, ext. 22 Held in collaboration with the City of Brooklyn and the Friends of Big Creek


July 27th
Greenwood Farms, Richmond Heights 6:30pm - 8:00pm 216/524-6580, ext. 16
Held in collaboration with the City of Richmond Heights and Friends of Euclid Creek -
Click here for flyer
 
 August 24th Mayfield Heights 6:30pm - 8:00pm 216/524-6580, ext. 16 Held in collaboration with the City of Mayfield Heights and Friends of Euclid Creek
 Sept. 8th Cleveland Museum of Natural History 2:00pm - 4:00pm Call Renee Boronka at
216-231-4600 ext. 3505

Held in conjunction with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Conservation Symposium
 
 Sept. 14th Rocky River Nature Center 6:30pm - 8:00pm 216/524-6580, ext. 14
Held in collaboration with the Rocky River Watershed Council, Cleveland Metroparks,  and the City of North Olmsted

Cost: $60
Deadline: Reservations must be received one week before the workshop date

"We will have the barrel, parts, tools and downspout diverter. You will make your own barrel (help is provided if necessary) to take home to use on your home.

Choose a date/time that works for you and call the appropriate number to register. We will send out a registration confirmation with directions to the location." 
 

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