Make & Take Rain Barrel Workshop [SOLD OUT]

Thank you for your interest in this event. We have sold out of rain barrels available at this workshop. Our next workshop is on June 20th at the St. Paul Wellstone Center. To be notified of upcoming rain barrel workshops, contact FMR Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore at akilgore@fmr.org.

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What's one of the simplest, high-impact ways to save water and help protect our local watersheds? Using a rain barrel.

Lawn and garden watering typically makes up 40% of total summer household water usage, according to the EPA. Plus, the biggest threat to our waters today is polluted runoff — water that runs off our roofs and into our streets and alleys, carrying all the oil, sediment and other contaminants that it picks up along the way into our lakes, rivers and streams. For conservation and for pollution prevention, installing a rain barrel to collect and store rainwater for use on your lawn and gardens is a simple but powerful way to make a difference for Minnehaha Creek, the Mississippi River and area watersheds.

Thanks to Coca-Cola Refreshments of Eagan, FMR has 30 used syrup containers for participants to turn into rain barrels. During the course of this workshop, participants will be provided with the necessary parts ($35 per kit) and guided through the process of converting these containers into allies for a cleaner Minnesota. The barrels are white (but paintable) and connect to your existing downspout.

Taking place at Wood Lake Nature Center, the workshop will begin with a presentation on how home lawn and garden practices impact our waters and how we can make a difference. Next, we’ll discuss the watershed-friendly benefits of rain barrels in more detail, then review how to build, incorporate, install and maintain them. With guidance from FMR staff, participants will then build a rain barrel to take home. 

Can't make it?

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Amy Kilgore to receive notice of upcoming workshops or other events in this area.