It’s not too late to register for the February Rain Barrel Workshop!

Interested in learning more about Rain Barrels in 2018? You’re in luck! The Mariners’ Museum and Park has joined the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Newport News Master Gardeners, the Waterworks Department and the Department of Public Works in presenting make-and-take rain barrel workshops to the public. The first workshop of the year is taking place at the Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, on Saturday, February 24 at 10:00 a.m. Workshops include a presentation on the environmental benefits of collecting rainwater and tips on how to properly install your rain barrel.

Did you know that rain barrels can help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff, pollution, and bacteria entering local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay? It’s true! Rain barrels are an easy and effective strategy for managing stormwater issues and improving water quality.

An inch of rainfall over a 1000 sq. ft. area yields more than 600 gallons of water. A rain barrel is an inexpensive means of capturing and storing some of this water for later use. By installing a rain barrel you not only help reduce pollution from stormwater runoff but also have a supply of free water for your garden and potted plants!
A $70 registration fee includes one 55-gallon barrel and all the supplies needed to build your rain barrel. Advance registration is required. For more details, or to register for a workshop, call the VCE Newport News Master Gardeners at 757-591-4838.

Upcoming workshops are:

• March 24, 11:00 a.m. at CNU Garden Symposium, Christopher Newport University,
• April 28, 10:00 a.m. at the Mariners’ Museum, 100 Museum Drive,
• May 19, 10:00 a.m. at the Mariners’ Museum, 100 Museum Drive,
• September 8, 1:00 p.m. at the Go Green Expo, Brittingham- MidTown Community Center.