To Be Eligible For a Free Rain Barrel, Participants Must Live in Any of 12 Specified Delaware Watersheds

In conjunction with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s month-long celebration of Earth Day, DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship will host a rain barrel-building workshop on Saturday, April 9, at the Nanticoke River Marina, 26 Market Street, Blades, DE 19973.

Eligibility to participate in the workshop and receive a free rain barrel at the event is dependent on living in any of the following Delaware watersheds:

• Appoquinimink Watershed
• Broadkill Watershed
• Chester Watershed
• Choptank Watershed
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed/Basin (Anywhere within this basin)
• Christina Watershed
• Inland Bays Watershed
• Little Assawoman Bay Watershed
• Nanticoke Watershed
• Pocomoke Watershed
• St. Jones River Watershed
• Wicomico Watershed

For potential participants to identify the watershed they live in, and confirm their eligibility to receive a free rain barrel from DNREC, visit DelawareWatersheds.org and follow the instructions for “Find Your Watershed.” Eligible Delawareans can then proceed to register for the workshop. The first 20 eligible participants to register for and attend the workshop will receive a free 55-gallon rain barrel system to be built during the workshop.

During the workshop, DNREC will provide free kits that convert plastic drums donated by Painted Stave Distilling of Smyrna into rain barrels. Workshop participants will be given an overview of rain barrels including their benefits, proper use, assembly, and maintenance. Among the benefits are rain barrels’ ability to store rainwater from rooftops that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams, thus helping improve the health of local waterways; and saving homeowners money on water use.

Staff from DNREC’s Nonpoint Source Program will lead the workshop. Participants may arrive at any time between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for the workshop. The first 20 eligible participants to register for and attend the workshop will receive a free 55-gallon rain barrel system to be built during the workshop. Participants may bring family or friends to the workshop, but there is a limit of one rain barrel per eligible household.

Workshop participants can choose to construct their rain barrel with guidance or to be assisted by DNREC staff who will assemble the rain barrel for them. All supplies are provided, and the first 20 eligible Delawareans to register for and participate in the workshop will take home their free rain barrel.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov;

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Both Must Be Preordered in Advance and Are Available Pickup Only

Delaware residents may preorder environmentally beneficial compost bins and rain barrels at discount prices during an online sale sponsored by DNREC. Made available by DNREC’s Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, in conjunction with the Division of Watershed Stewardship, advance purchases must be made for both items via http://de.gov/recycling before the deadlines listed below:

• Lewes – Preorder deadline is Sept. 13 for pickup on Saturday, Sept. 19 Pickup location at the DNREC Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.).
• New Castle – Preorder deadline is Sept. 27 for pickup on Saturday, Oct. 3. Pickup location at the DNREC Office, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE. 19720 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.).. Pickup: rear door location.
• Dover – Preorder deadline is Oct. 4 for pickup on Saturday, Oct. 10. Pickup location at the DNREC Office, 155 Commerce Way, Suite B, Dover, DE. 19904 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.). Pickup: rear door location.

The ”FreeGarden Earth” compost bins, offered through DNREC for $50 each, are made from recycled materials, and require no assembly. Compost bins have features that enhance the decomposition process and help make composting more efficient. These compact units transform food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that replaces traditional fertilizers to produce healthier plants and vegetables in home gardens.

The 55-gallon ”FreeGarden Rain” rain barrels made available by DNREC at $60 each, or about half the retail price, are attractive and easy to move, install and use. They come with an insect resistant stainless-steel screen, three additional spigot mounting locations, as well as a childproof lid and square shape ideal for flush-to-wall and corner installations. Rain barrels collect and store the water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and car washing. Rain barrels help to lower water bills, particularly in the summer months by collecting free water each year. Rain barrels play an important role in protecting water resources by collecting stormwater runoff from homes before it reaches local streams and rivers.

Compost bins and rain barrels must be picked up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the chosen location, and only those items ordered will be available. Buyers should note that no additional bins, barrels, or accessories will be sold at the pickup locations.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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Both items must be pre-ordered in advance and are available pick up-only

DOVER, Del. – Delaware residents may pre-order environmentally beneficial compost bins and rain barrels at discount prices during an online sale in May. Made available by DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances, in conjunction with the Division of Watershed Stewardship, advance purchases must be made for both items at www.enviroworld.us/delaware before the deadlines listed below:

• Kent County: May 3 pre-order deadline. Pickup: Saturday, May 9. DNREC Offices, 155 Commerce Way, Suite B, Dover, DE 19904. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (pickup: rear door at location).
• New Castle County. May 10 pre-order deadline. Pickup: Saturday, May 16. DNREC Offices, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (pickup: rear door at location)
• Sussex County: May 31 pre-order deadline. Pickup: Saturday, June 6. DNREC Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958

The FreeGarden Earth compost bins, offered through DNREC for $50 each, are made from recycled materials, and require no assembly. Compost bins have features that enhance the decomposition process and help make composting more efficient. These compact units transform food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that replaces traditional fertilizers to produce healthier plants and vegetables in home gardens.

The 55-gallon FreeGarden Rain rain barrels made available by DNREC at $60 each, or about half the retail price, are attractive and easy to move, install, and use. They come with an insect resistant stainless-steel screen, three additional spigot mounting locations, as well as a childproof lid and square shape ideal for flush-to-wall and corner installations.

Rain barrels collect and store the water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and washing your car. Rain barrels help to lower your water bills, particularly in the summer months by collecting free water each year! Rain barrels play an important role in protecting our water resources by collecting the stormwater runoff from our homes before it reaches our local streams and rivers.

Compost bins and rain barrels must be picked up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the chosen location and only those items ordered will be available. Buyers should note that no additional bins, barrels, or accessories will be sold at the pick-up locations.

For more information about composting, please visit DNREC’s Composting webpage or email or call Don Long of DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances at donald.long@delaware.gov or phone: 302-739-9403. For more information about DNREC’s non-point source program, which works toward reducing water pollution, please visit the DNREC Nonpoint Source Program webpage or email or call Phil Miller of the Division of Watershed Stewardship at philip.miller@delaware.gov or phone: 302-608-5468.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. The Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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BLADES – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Conservation Programs Section within the Division of Watershed Stewardship will host a rain barrel-building workshop in conjunction with the Reclaim Our River Program from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 14 at Hardin Hall, 20 West 4th Street, Blades, DE 19973. Participation is limited and attendees are asked to preregister at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-rain-barrel-building-workshop-tickets-44369977798.

Workshop participants will receive free rain barrel conversion kits, including a 55-gallon plastic drum to take home as a ready-made rain barrel. The workshop will open with a brief overview about the benefits of rain barrels, do’s and don’ts in using them, and their assembly and maintenance. Workshop participants can choose to construct their own barrel with guidance, or request that a Conservation Programs Section or ROR member help them assemble their rain barrel. While the rain barrels are being put together, participants will also learn about watering native plants with them and about techniques for improving water quality.

This workshop is offered as part of the Reclaim Our River-Nanticoke Series, a program designed to bring more water quality-oriented events, workshops, and recreational opportunities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The ROR program offers information on reducing nutrient and sediment pollution and improving water quality, promotes public access to waterways and provides recreational opportunities as a way to connect residents to their waterways and inspire them to make improvements. For more information on the ROR program, please visit http://delawarewatersheds.org/.

Rain barrels collect and store water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and washing your car. Using a rain barrel can help to lower water bills, particularly in the summer months, by collecting thousands of gallons of usable water a year. Rain barrels also play an important role in reducing water pollution and protecting our water resources by collecting the stormwater runoff from our homes before it reaches our local streams and rivers.

For more information on the workshop, please contact Philip Miller at 302-290-3578 or Philip.miller@delaware.gov.

Vol. 48, No. 65

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DOVER – The public’s art appreciation is sought in voting for favorite entries now online in the 2017 artistic rain barrel contest sponsored by DNREC’s Watershed Assessment and Management Section within the Division of Watershed Stewardship. DNREC sponsors the contest as a fun way to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.

Eight local artists and 10 entries from youth or groups of young people were selected to paint creative designs on their rain barrels. Online voting continues through Friday, June 9 for selecting this year’s winning rain barrel artworks.

DNREC chose the artists based on their applications and designs. After being selected, the artists had five weeks to paint and return their barrels. All artistic rain barrels in this year’s contests are now on display for public viewing at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover through July 18.

Five adult finalists and five youth finalists will be determined by online voting. The five student finalists will have their rain barrels displayed to be voted on by Delaware State Fair visitors for determining the grand prize winner, while the adult grand prize winner will be chosen by a panel of judges. Results for the youth rain barrel contest will be announced, and the grand prize winner of the adult contest will be recognized, on Governor’s Day (Thursday, July 27) at the fair.

Following the contest, the artistic rain barrels will be dispersed for display at local events, businesses, schools, churches and with local governments. Businesses, organizations and non-profit groups interested in displaying an artist’s rain barrel, please contact Sara Wozniak at mailto:sara.wozniak@delaware.govor 302-382-0335.

Rain barrels are used to collect and store water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and washing your car. Rain barrels are also important for the environment because they help reduce water pollution by decreasing the amount of stormwater runoff reaching Delaware’s streams and rivers.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No. 128

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