Homeowners can learn how to install rain gardens and other retrofits to manage stormwater at a free workshop scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Bates County Health Department, 501 N. Orange St., Butler. The two-hour workshop will provide hands-on training and information about designing rain gardens and building rain barrels.
The workshop also will provide information about cost-share programs available to help offset up to 50 percent of the expense of installing well-designed rain gardens that help protect local streams from pollutants borne by stormwater.
The Osage Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to conduct this workshop. It is part of the Council’s effort to support the Mound Branch Evaluation and Restoration Project, which works with local residents to improve water quality in the Butler area by installing practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution and protect and improve water quality.
“Fall is a great time to install a rain garden in your yard,” said Mackenzie O’Neill, Mound Branch Project Manager. “These gardens can intercept rain water that would otherwise run across the driveway and lawn, picking up pollutants such as motor oil, fertilizer and pet waste, and filter out the pollutants before it reaches our local streams and water bodies.” Space for the workshop is limited, so those interested should register immediately with Osage Valley RC&D by calling 660-679-4332 or emailing moneill@osagevalleyrcd.com. To learn more about the Mound Branch project and how to redirect polluted rainwater on your property, visit www.osagevalleyrcd.com.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has provided partial funding for the Mound Branch project under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
Osage Valley RC&D is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the sustainable and responsible use of available resources to enhance the quality of life in West Central Missouri.
