Rain Barrel Building Train-the-Trainer Program Promotes Water Quality Awareness
Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County (CCE Onondaga) is pleased to announce the launch of the Rain Barrel Building Train-the-Trainer Program during the summer of 2010. The program is sponsored by the Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection and supported by the City of Syracuse. Citizens and community organizers will learn how to host a rain barrel building workshop culminating with workshops held throughout the County during a “Water Quality Awareness Weekend” this fall. The goal of this program is to foster public awareness of the combined sewer overflow issues with Onondaga Creek and Onondaga Lake and give citizens across the County the opportunity to take steps on their own properties to help reduce pollution of Onondaga Lake.
CCE Onondaga has seen an increasing demand for Rain Barrel Make-and-Take Workshops, and this program provides the opportunity to reach more residents and community groups who want to build their own rain barrels. The cost of a new rain barrel is usually over $100, sometimes reaching $300. CCE Onondaga will assist with cost-effective rain barrel purchasing through a municipal rain barrel buy and distribution for workshop participants, lowering the cost to $55 per barrel.
If 30 citizens become rain barrel building leaders and they each hold workshops that average 10 people, 300 people will build rain barrels over the “Water Quality Awareness Weekend”. A one-hour storm event will fill a 55 gallon rain barrel from a modest 100 sq. ft surface. Each time all of those 55 gallon rain barrels are filled 16,500 gallons are prevented from entering the storm system.
CCE Onondaga will hold an information session June 24; offer a Train-the-Trainer Rain Barrel Building Workshop July 31; and host a “Water Quality Awareness Weekend”September 23-25, 2010. Rain Barrel Building Leaders will receive a Rain Barrel Building Organizers Manual, and each leader will organize and hold his or her own workshop during the “Water Quality Awareness Weekend.” CCE Onondaga will assist organizers in coordinating these workshops, and will buy rain barrels in bulk and distribute them to workshop participants.
If citizens or community leaders have questions or would like to get involved with this program please attend the information session listed below or contact Jessi Lyons atjel264@cornell.edu or (315) 424-9485 ext 233.
Information Session:
Thursday, June 24, 2010
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Suite 325, the Atrium Building, 2 Clinton Square
Syracuse, NY
Rain Barrel Building Instructors Workshop:
Saturday, July 31, 2010
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
650 Hiawatha Blvd., West
Syracuse, NY 13204
The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact our office if you have any special needs.
Take the Stormwater Survey for a Chance to Win a Free Rain Barrel
The CNY Regional Planning & Development Board is seeking participation in an online survey to assess public awareness of storm (rain) water quality. The 30 question survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete. Survey responses will be used to help shape future educational programs that support clean water throughout central New York. All survey responses will be held confidential.
As an incentive to participate, anyone completing the survey can enter to win a free rain barrel donated by Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County. To access the survey visit: www.cnyrpdb.org/stormwater. The deadline for completing the survey is July 31, 2010. For more information contact Kathleen Bertuch, CNY RPDB Environmental Program Manager at 315-422-8276.