| The
Firelands Coastal Tributaries (FCT) Watershed Program
is a diverse group of government agencies, non-profit
groups and local residents working together to enhance,
restore, and protect our local streams.
Everyone
lives in a watershed, it is important to understand
how you affect the quality of local streams and Lake
Erie. |
| Erie
County Services Center Installs Rain Garden and Native
Plantings |
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| Native
plantings and a rain garden were installed with help from
volunteers from the Erie County Mater Gardeners Program
and the Friends of Pipe Creek Watershed at the Erie County
Services Center July 14 and 15, 2009 as part of the Erie
County Naturescaping Project. This project was funded
through the Great Lake Commission Erosion and Sediment
Control Grant Program to demonstrate native plants and
rain gardens to be used as a solution to reducing negative
impacts of stormwater run-off. This project is administered
by the Firelands Coastal Tributaries Watershed Program
to provide education to local residents, businesses, developers,
and public officials in the Firelands area. In addition
to the installation of the native gardens, prairie and
riparian enhancements will also be installed later in
November of 2009. |
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Decorate
your barrel and enter for a chance to win $100!
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For
questions contact the Erie SWCD at 419-626-5211
Need some inspiration? - Google "Rain Barrel Art"
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How
to win:
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1.
Show off your creativity by decorating your rain barrel.
2. Download the official entry form or stop in the Erie
SWCD office to pick one up.
3. Send in a picture of your rain barrel with your completed
entry form to:
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Erie
SWCD
2900 Columbus Ave. Room 131
Sandusky, Ohio 4870 |
Rules |
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1.
All entries must be postmarked by September 17th, 2010
2. Photo size must be 4 x 6 or larger or digital file
3. Multiple entries are allowed for different barrel
designs
4. Any media may be used to decorate your barrel (paint,
sculpture, plants, etc.)
5. Must be owner of rain barrel
6. All photos will become property of the ESWCD for
educational uses |
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| Great
Lakes Restoration Initiative Coming to a Watershed Near
You!
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| The
Great Lakes Restoration Initative, signed into law by
President Obama on October 30, allocates $475 million
to respond to a plan of action prepared by the Great
Lakes states in cooperation with 16 federal agencies.
Funding is available for the most significant problems
facing the Great Lakes, including invasive aquatic species,
wildlife habitat restoration, non-point source pollution,
contaminated sediment clean up, water quality monitoring,
and beach monitoring/clean up, all issues that Lake
Erie and Ohio have experienced.
Ohio’s list of proposed GLRI projects is available
at www.lakeerike.ohio.gov/GLRI.aspx
|
Rain barrels
are a type of water harvesting system much like the cisterns
of old. They can come in many different makes, shapes,
and sizes but all function pretty much the same. A rain
barrel is attached to the downspout of your home or garage
to collect rain water. Between rainy days, the water collected
in the barrel can be used to water your thirsty landscape
with no cost to you!
The sky seems to be the limit on rain barrel costs. Depending
on storage capacity, material the barrel is made from,
and the aesthetic appearance, the cost of rain barrels
can range from $100-$300. But don't get discouraged. You
can make your own rain barrel for a fraction of the retail
cost and we are here to help you! The Firelands Coastal
Tributaries Watershed Program is offering several rain
barrel workshops this spring and summer for a small registration
fee of $45. Click here to view
our events page for listings of our workshops.
At our rain barrel workshop, participants will learn of
the benefits of rain barrels (both for their pocketbook
and the environment), and how to build one. Best of all
each participant will build their own rain barrel to take
home! Our workshops include all supplies for building
the rain barrel, tools, and friendly volunteers to help
assist you.
We have help residents make over 150 rain barrels at our
workshops, so what are you waiting for! Be the first on
your block to sport a rain barrel on your downspout and
start saving money!
To register, contact the Erie Soil and Water Conservation
District at 419-626-5211 or stop in and see us: 2900 Columbus
Ave, Room 131 Sandusky, Ohio (Erie County Services Center).
Registrations are a first come first serve basis so don't
delay. |
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