Join Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) for a Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop on Tuesday, June 28, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Apple Valley Senior Center. A rain barrel is a simple, high-impact way to save water and protect water quality in lakes and rivers. The cost of materials for building your own rain barrel is only $35, thanks to donated barrels from Coca-Cola Refreshments of Eagan. Pre-registration is required.

The Vermillion River Watershed Technical Advisory Group (TAG) provides advice and recommendations to the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) on scientific, technical, and policy issues that affect water resources management in the Vermillion River Watershed.  TAG members represent local governments (cities, townships, and counties), state agencies, soil and water conservation districts, tribes, environmental consulting firms, environmental groups, watershed management organizations, the Vermillion River Watershed Planning Commission (WPC), and other interested parties. Membership is open and flexible; contact the VRWJPO to be included on the email invitation list.

It’s easy, make and take a rain barrel.

What’s one of the simplest, high-impact ways to save water and help protect our watershed? Using a make & take rain barrel.

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 Friends of the Mississippi River staff, participants will then build their very own rain barrel to take home following the workshop. Participants will receive the necessary parts ($35 per kit) and  be guided through the process of converting used syrup barrels from Coca-Cola into a rain barrel to take home and install.