The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) is celebrating Earth Month with events encouraging residents to take action to protect the environment.
Beginning with a rain barrel workshop on April 6 in Bristol, ERICD will offer three more spring workshops to help homeowners build or maintain their rain barrels. The free workshops provide all the necessary materials and guidance on turning a used thirty-to-fifty-gallon plastic drum into a functioning rain barrel.
A rain barrel is a great way to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff, which can help prevent flooding and improve water quality. In addition, rain barrels can help to reduce pests and diseases that can affect crops and livestock.
On another front, ERICD is hosting rain barrel workshops to preserve the health of Narragansett Bay. Churgin said, “A rain barrel catches water from your rooftop and stores it for you to water your garden. They conserve water, save you money, and reduce stormwater runoff.” Three rain barrel workshops are being offered, one on April 6 in Bristol, one on April 13 in Barrington, and one on April 20 in Middletown. The $55 fee provides all the materials and guidance to turn a used thirty to fifty-gallon plastic drum into a functioning rain barrel for your home.
As part of its Earth Month activities, ERICD will also be hosting a plant seedling sale on April 20. The online sale features native plant seedlings, which can be purchased in bundles of five.
The plant seedling sale is a great way to add more native plants to gardens and landscapes. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and can provide food and shelter for a variety of local wildlife. Growing native plants can also help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.
Seedlings will be sold in bundles of 5 and since these are tiny versions of trees, shrubs, and perennials; they are a financially accessible way to include more native plants in your garden, while helping the environment. The online store is live and seedlings must be ordered before 12PM on April 18, with the Seedling Sale Pick Up being on April 20 from 10AM – 12PM at Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth. Volunteers are also encouraged to sign up to help on April 19 to organize and prepare the seedlings for the plant pick up on the following day.
These are just a few of the ways that residents can take actions to protect the environment during Earth Month and beyond. By participating in ERICD’s events and activities, residents can make a difference in the fight to protect the environment.
For more information on all events, access to our online seedling store, and event sign ups; please visit www.easternriconservation.org/earthmonth.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
