The Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network, in partnership with UW-Extension, will be offering three Greener Yards, Cleaner Waters workshops during the months of April and May. The workshops are free and open to the public. To register, please visit rootpikewin.org, email [email protected] or telephone 262-898-2055.
Each workshop will feature a classroom presentation on the causes of polluted storm water runoff and the role of rain gardens, rain barrels, composting, tree and shrub landscaping, and other yard care practices to reduce polluted runoff to our streams, rivers and Lake Michigan. Storm water runoff is the number one cause of pollution in our waterways today, according to the EPA, and one rain barrel on a quarter-acre lot can reduce annual runoff by about 25%.
Select workshops will include a tour of one or more rain gardens. A rain barrel will be given away at each workshop in a free drawing. Free oak saplings will also be available to workshop attendees. Workshops will be held on:
Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. until noon
Gateway Technical College - Racine Building
1001 South Main Street, Racine, WI
(enter from lakeside rear parking lot)
Includes tour of nearby rain garden
Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. until noon
Gateway Technical College - Technical Building
3520 30th Avenue, Kenosha, WI
Saturday, May 19 from 10:00 a.m. until noon
Bristol Village Hall
19801 83rd Street, Bristol, WI
Rain garden grants are also available through the Root-Pike WIN. Attendance at a workshop segment is required as part of the grant application. Since 2008, Root-Pike WIN has funded 88 rain gardens in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Over 20 volunteers help plan and implement the program. Root-Pike WIN and volunteers work to protect, restore, and sustain the ecosystems of the Root and Pike River watersheds in parts of Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.