Sentinel A Shorewood goes green The Shorewood
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Vol. 17 No. 20
Enterprise Publications • www.shorewoodsentinel.com
By Sherri Dauskurdas Staff Reporter
pril plays host to Earth Day, and Shorewood is playing host to an array of environmentally friendly events. The village is taking orders for rain barrels, in conjunction with a presentation on rain conservation Monday evening by Jim Kleinwachter, land conservationist with the Conservation Foundation.
Area selling rain barrels, garden plots
“Rain should be thought of as a
precious resource - and we need to keep it on the property that it falls on,” Jim Kleinwachter
“Rain should be thought of as a precious resource - and we need to keep it on the property that it falls on,” said Kleinwachter. “We can catch it in a rain barrel, or rain harvesting system - or simply utilize native plants to absorb the water and release it slowly back in the ground to recharge the aquifer.” The rain barrels for sale in Shorewood come from the foundation, repurposed from olive and pickle barrels and now fitted with a screen to keep mosquitoes out. They have an overflow for times of heavy rain. “Rain barrels have been around for many, many years and the water is actually better for plants,” than the treated water from the spigot, Kleinwachter said. “It is rich in minerals and naturally soft. “Rain gardens can be made to utilize waterloving native plants to absorb water too,” he said.“Plants not only absorb it but actually filter and cleanse the water. The quantity getting to our rivers is reduced and the quality of the water is improved through these plantings.” Cost is discounted for residents to $75 per barrel, and orders close May 2. They are available in dark gray, black and terra cotta. Orders can be placed online via the Village of Shorewood website or at http://upcycleproducts.com/static.asp?path=4530. Pickup will be at Shorewood Village Hall See GREEN, page 23