Organizers of the Rainwater Revival are seeking grant applications from elementary and middle schools in 17 counties throughout the Hill Country to be used for water conservation education or rainwater harvesting projects at school sites. The award-winning Revival is a day of fun, music and events designed to help everyone learn how to capture and use rainwater for drinking and irrigation.
“Children’s activities at the Rainwater Revival are interactive, with arts and crafts geared toward helping them understand that both surface and groundwater are finite and easily compromised by a variety of factors,” Karen Ford, one of the event’s founders, said. “Schools are having a hard time financially and the grants encourage schools to incorporate these lessons into their school programs and to teach by example by using rainwater catchment systems at the schools.”
The grants are funded by the auction of professionally decorated rain barrels at the annual event. Hill Country area artists donate their time and talent, and many of the rain barrels are donated by local businesses. See last year’s works of art.
“Grants from the first Rainwater Revival were distributed last year to three Hays County elementary schools, but as the Revival grows and moves throughout Central Texas, we’ve decided to open the applications to elementary and middle schools in a larger area where water resources are prioritized,” said Christy Muse, Executive Director of the Hill Country Alliance, a non-profit whose mission includes protecting water resources.
Grants of up to $900 per selected application will be awarded for use during the 2012-2013 school year. The application deadline is June1, and recipients will be selected by July 1. Applications can be emailed to info@RainwaterRevival.com or mailed to HCA-Rainwater Revival, Attention Grant Program, 15315 Hwy. 71 West, Bee Cave, TX 78738.
Grant requests should include:
-A one-page description of the project, including number of students reached, expected outcomes, length or duration of project, and general management and participation in the project;
-Project budget, including grant amount requested and, if anticipated, matching funds or in-kind services (matches not required);
-Letter(s) of support from school principal and any others, as appropriate;
-Primary contact name, phone and email.
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. The event is co-sponsored by the Hill Country Alliance and others interested in responsible use and protection of water resources. For more information about the Rainwater Revival or the grant program, see www.rainwaterrevival.com.
Showing posts with label rainwater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rainwater. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, September 5, 2011
Planning for the Rains to Come (eventually)
Sen. Wentworth wrote such a good article about rainwater that we want to be sure as many folks see it as possible.
by Jeff WentworthState Senator, District 25
"Whiskey's for drinking, water's for fighting," is a western saying usually attributed to Mark Twain.
Kendall County Commissioners Court just approved a local disaster declaration that will allow law enforcement and the county attorney to help the local groundwater conservation district detect and prosecute violators of the county's groundwater use restrictions, now at stage five.
We'll get past this drought, but you can start planning now for ways to conserve water when the rains return. You may learn about water reuse and gray water at the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) site: www.twdb.state.tx.us. Gray water is water that normally would go down the drain after a shower or laundry load, but methods now exist to reroute it for outdoor uses.
Rainwater harvesting is big these days. Opportunities to learn all about it are scheduled throughout the Hill Country in the months ahead.
An interesting note about rainwater from the Rainwater Revival Web site states that just one inch of rain harvested from 1,000 square feet of roof can yield 625 gallons of water.
Saturday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Hays County Office of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service will conduct a rainwater harvesting workshop at the Extension office in San Marcos. You may get full details at http://hays-tx.tamu.edu.
The Second Annual Rainwater Revival takes place Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Roger Hanks Park on Highway 290 West in Dripping Springs. Last year more than 1,000 people learned about rainwater harvesting and conservation.
Those attending will hear from homeowners who live totally on collected rainwater, and information will be useful to homeowners, business owners and ranch mangers.
State Rep. Doug Miller and representatives from state agencies will provide updates on what state and local governments are doing to support and encourage rainwater capture.
It's a day of family fun with vendor booths, exhibits, food and music. For complete details, visit www.rainwaterrevival.com.
The following Saturday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne is hosting a rainwater harvest workshop. Boerne resident John Kight, a professional engineer, will provide the latest technological information and practical advice.
Kight, a member of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, built his own home with no well or outside water source. Attendees will visit his home to see how a system can work to provide all household and landscaping needs. Kight also will speak at the Dripping Springs event.
In the meantime, the TWDB has brochures available to help you conserve water inside and outside your home. I've listed some of their common-sense suggestions below.
* Install water-efficient toilets.
* Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth or shampooing.
* Take shorter showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower uses only 10-15 gallons of water. A full bathtub can use up to 70 gallons of water.
Texans must work together to ensure we have enough water to last until the rains come.
Top
by Jeff WentworthState Senator, District 25
"Whiskey's for drinking, water's for fighting," is a western saying usually attributed to Mark Twain.
Kendall County Commissioners Court just approved a local disaster declaration that will allow law enforcement and the county attorney to help the local groundwater conservation district detect and prosecute violators of the county's groundwater use restrictions, now at stage five.
We'll get past this drought, but you can start planning now for ways to conserve water when the rains return. You may learn about water reuse and gray water at the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) site: www.twdb.state.tx.us. Gray water is water that normally would go down the drain after a shower or laundry load, but methods now exist to reroute it for outdoor uses.
Rainwater harvesting is big these days. Opportunities to learn all about it are scheduled throughout the Hill Country in the months ahead.
An interesting note about rainwater from the Rainwater Revival Web site states that just one inch of rain harvested from 1,000 square feet of roof can yield 625 gallons of water.
Saturday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Hays County Office of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service will conduct a rainwater harvesting workshop at the Extension office in San Marcos. You may get full details at http://hays-tx.tamu.edu.
The Second Annual Rainwater Revival takes place Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Roger Hanks Park on Highway 290 West in Dripping Springs. Last year more than 1,000 people learned about rainwater harvesting and conservation.
Those attending will hear from homeowners who live totally on collected rainwater, and information will be useful to homeowners, business owners and ranch mangers.
State Rep. Doug Miller and representatives from state agencies will provide updates on what state and local governments are doing to support and encourage rainwater capture.
It's a day of family fun with vendor booths, exhibits, food and music. For complete details, visit www.rainwaterrevival.com.
The following Saturday, October 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne is hosting a rainwater harvest workshop. Boerne resident John Kight, a professional engineer, will provide the latest technological information and practical advice.
Kight, a member of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, built his own home with no well or outside water source. Attendees will visit his home to see how a system can work to provide all household and landscaping needs. Kight also will speak at the Dripping Springs event.
In the meantime, the TWDB has brochures available to help you conserve water inside and outside your home. I've listed some of their common-sense suggestions below.
* Install water-efficient toilets.
* Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth or shampooing.
* Take shorter showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower uses only 10-15 gallons of water. A full bathtub can use up to 70 gallons of water.
Texans must work together to ensure we have enough water to last until the rains come.
Top
Friday, August 12, 2011
Rainwater Revival Offers Expert Advice on Capturing Bounty from the Sky
When will it rain? It may be sooner or it may be later, but In Texas, according to an old saying, when it rains it never stops and when it stops it never rains. When the rains come, you can be ready to collect sweet water from the sky and use it for all or part of your home, ranch and landscape needs.
At the 2nd Annual Rainwater Revival set for October 8 in Dripping Springs, you will learn how easy it can be for everyone – an average homeowner, business owner or ranchland manager – to capture and enjoy the benefits of rainwater. You’ll have delicious, pure water, save money and take pressure off ground and surface waters that are in high demand and diminishing supply.
The lineup of speakers at the Rainwater Revival 2011 will educate and inspire – with topics including Rainwater Harvesting 101, Designing and Building for Rainwater, the Water/Energy Nexus, Installing your Own System, and Making Your Own Rain Barrels. State Rep. Doug Miller and representatives from two key state agencies will provide an update on how State and local governments are supporting and encouraging rainwater capture.
“We’ve got a great roster of speakers to learn from in between visiting vendor booths and exhibits, listening to music and enjoying food and drink, including rainwater,” said Karen Ford, a Dripping Springs marketing executive and event organizer. “I think people will be fascinated by J. David Bamberger, founder of the Bamberger Ranch Preserve, who took degraded ranch land and restored it beautifully. His presentation, entitled ‘Holding Water on the Land’ should interest anyone with a large piece of property or a small yard.”
Attendees will also hear and learn from a panel of homeowners who live comfortably and completely on collected rainwater. The Rainwater Revival is designed to help everyone get the most from free water from the sky and what to expect if it doesn’t rain for a while.
“It surprises people to learn how far a little rain can go in filling up a collection system,” Ford said. “Many people who live entirely on rainwater have had to purchase little or no supplemental water through recent droughts.”
The Rainwater Revival is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 8, at Roger Hanks Park on Highway 290 West in Dripping Springs. Admission is free. More information about the speakers and the award-winning event is at www.rainwaterrevival.com.
###
Media contacts:
Laureen Chernow, 512.393.2296; laureen.chernow@co.hays.tx.us
Kathi Thomas, 512.479.9H2O; info@rainwaterrevival.com
At the 2nd Annual Rainwater Revival set for October 8 in Dripping Springs, you will learn how easy it can be for everyone – an average homeowner, business owner or ranchland manager – to capture and enjoy the benefits of rainwater. You’ll have delicious, pure water, save money and take pressure off ground and surface waters that are in high demand and diminishing supply.
The lineup of speakers at the Rainwater Revival 2011 will educate and inspire – with topics including Rainwater Harvesting 101, Designing and Building for Rainwater, the Water/Energy Nexus, Installing your Own System, and Making Your Own Rain Barrels. State Rep. Doug Miller and representatives from two key state agencies will provide an update on how State and local governments are supporting and encouraging rainwater capture.
“We’ve got a great roster of speakers to learn from in between visiting vendor booths and exhibits, listening to music and enjoying food and drink, including rainwater,” said Karen Ford, a Dripping Springs marketing executive and event organizer. “I think people will be fascinated by J. David Bamberger, founder of the Bamberger Ranch Preserve, who took degraded ranch land and restored it beautifully. His presentation, entitled ‘Holding Water on the Land’ should interest anyone with a large piece of property or a small yard.”
Attendees will also hear and learn from a panel of homeowners who live comfortably and completely on collected rainwater. The Rainwater Revival is designed to help everyone get the most from free water from the sky and what to expect if it doesn’t rain for a while.
“It surprises people to learn how far a little rain can go in filling up a collection system,” Ford said. “Many people who live entirely on rainwater have had to purchase little or no supplemental water through recent droughts.”
The Rainwater Revival is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 8, at Roger Hanks Park on Highway 290 West in Dripping Springs. Admission is free. More information about the speakers and the award-winning event is at www.rainwaterrevival.com.
###
Media contacts:
Laureen Chernow, 512.393.2296; laureen.chernow@co.hays.tx.us
Kathi Thomas, 512.479.9H2O; info@rainwaterrevival.com
Monday, June 13, 2011
Award-winning Rainwater Revival Set for October 8
Day of fun, music and events helps citizens and businesses learn how to capture and use rainwater for drinking and irrigation.
The award-winning Rainwater Revival has been set for October 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Roger Hanks Park in Dripping Springs. The second annual event will include many of the features that made the 2010 event a success, with vendors, an auction of professionally decorated rain barrels, speakers on many rain-harvesting-related topics, music and food. An estimated 1,000 people attended the event last October in the Texas Hill Country.
Envision Central Texas, a non-profit organization designed to address growth while recognizing the interests of the region’s citizens, recently named the 2010 Rainwater Revival winner of its Community Stewardship Award for Public Awareness. Karen Ford, who was Precinct 4 County Commissioner in 2010 and led the Hays County Water Conservation Working Group (HCWCWG) that produced the Revival, accepted the award on behalf of the County and the HCWCWG from Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., one of several regional elected officials who presented Envision Central Texas awards in different categories. Award winners in all categories received a hand-blown glass bowl from Hays County business Wimberley Glass Works.
Hays County Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant has already requested and received a commitment from the Hays County Commissioners Court to help sponsor the 2011 Revival. Other sponsors to date include the Hill Country Alliance, which is producing the 2011 event, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Kathi Thomas Design, The Preserve at Walnut Springs and Austin Green Water.
The HCWCWG developed the Rainwater Revival to call attention to the ways in which everyone from the average homeowner to large businesses could take advantage of rainwater catchment as a way to conserve water, a priority in Hays County and much of Central Texas.
“During two recent years of drought, homes with rainwater catchment systems were able to avoid having to buy trucked-in water or drill new wells into an aquifer that is already being depleted,” said Ford. “The Rainwater Revival will help everyone who is interested in finding a kinder, less expensive way to have water learn how rainwater catchment can fit into their lifestyle and budget.”
For more information on helping to make the second annual Rainwater Revival a splashing success by becoming a sponsor, vendor or participant, go to www.rainwaterrevival.com.
Media contacts:
Laureen Chernow, 512.393.2296; laureen.chernow@co.hays.tx.us
Kathi Thomas, 512.479.9H2O; info@rainwaterrevival.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
The Rainwater Revival is coming to Dripping Springs on 10-9-10 and we're harvesting volunteers!
A brainstorm of the Hays County Water Conservation Working Group, The Rainwater Revival supports the mission to spread the good word on rainwater harvesting and water conservation, the importance of which grows with our ever increasing population. We welcome motivated and enthusiastic people who enjoy helping others, working with supportive colleagues, and contributing to increased awareness of rainwater harvesting. We all survived a historic drought last summer, and we are ready to celebrate the rain’s return and fill up our community with water conservation knowledge.
For more event information and an opportunity to enlist in the planning and/or production of The Rainwater Revival, please join them Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at:
Hays County Precinct 4 Building
195 Roger Hanks Parkway
Dripping Springs TX 78620
For more information now, please email:
info@rainwaterrevival.com
A brainstorm of the Hays County Water Conservation Working Group, The Rainwater Revival supports the mission to spread the good word on rainwater harvesting and water conservation, the importance of which grows with our ever increasing population. We welcome motivated and enthusiastic people who enjoy helping others, working with supportive colleagues, and contributing to increased awareness of rainwater harvesting. We all survived a historic drought last summer, and we are ready to celebrate the rain’s return and fill up our community with water conservation knowledge.
For more event information and an opportunity to enlist in the planning and/or production of The Rainwater Revival, please join them Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at:
Hays County Precinct 4 Building
195 Roger Hanks Parkway
Dripping Springs TX 78620
For more information now, please email:
info@rainwaterrevival.com
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