Each
year the Rainwater Revival promotes water catchment and conservation projects
through grants for Hill Country schools. The funds are raised by auctioning off
professionally decorated rain barrels at its annual festival, which brings
together water conservation experts and the public in a fun and educational
setting.
“Bandera
Middle School is right on the mark, setting a great example for schools
throughout Central Texas by capturing not only rainwater, but amazing amounts
of condensation from the school's air conditioning system to use to water the
grounds,” said Christy Muse, Executive Director of the Hill Country Alliance,
which sponsors the annual Rainwater Revival and provides matching funds for the
grants. “Teachers and students are working together on projects to catch water
and to replace turf grass around the school grounds with native grasses and
plants through partnerships with other conservation-minded groups.”
The school plans to use the grant to install small collection stations at each of the school’s
downspouts, allowing the campus to support more trees and shrubs to improve its
green footprint, according to Principal Donald Tosh, Jr. “Students have already
designed and built a catchment system and garden, and horticulture classes provide
the basis for growing our own native plants, trees and grasses,” he said.
The 2012 Rainwater Revival, a free event filled with
music, food, fun and rainwater education from basic to advanced, is set for
Saturday, October 27, at the Boerne Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit www.rainwaterrevival.com
for more information about the event and to see photos of rain barrels
transforming into works of art. The Hill Country Alliance is a non-profit organization
dedicated to caring for the unique features of the Texas Hill Country for the
benefit of future generations. Visit HCA at www.hillcountryalliance.org.
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Media contacts:
Laureen Chernow, 512.461.5093;
laureen.chernow@gmail.com
Kathi Thomas,
512.479.9H2O; info@rainwaterrevival.com
