The City of Elmhurst is partnering with The Conservation Foundation on Wednesday, May 3 at 6pm in the City Hall Council Chambers (209 N. York, Elmhurst) to host  a Water Conservation Workshop on the benefits of rain gardens and rain barrels. The workshop is free and open to the public. All attendees will receive a native plant guide.

Jim Kleinwachter from the Conservation Foundation will review what rain gardens are and how to maximize their potential in your backyard. Rain gardens are a shallow depression that is planted with wetland or wet prairie wildflowers and grasses. The native plants utilize the water, filtering it and return much of the water to the aquifers. Planting rain gardens also help beautify yards and helps turn low, wet areas into functioning landscapes. The plantings provide a habitat for birds and butterflies too.

Rain barrels are another way to capture water and put it to good use. The Conservation Foundation has re-purposed rain barrels that have been around the world.  As part of the program, rain barrels will be available for purchase through the City for $57 each. They can be purchased at the Finance counter at City Hall, and are delivered by Public Works. More information on the rain barrels here. The rain barrels are repurposed, recycled, and recyclable and come equipped with spigots, screens to prevent mosquito breeding, and overflow valves.

The Conservation Foundation is a non-profit land and river protection organization founded in 1972. The support of more than 3,500 members and 500 volunteers, The Conservation Foundation carries out their mission to preserve and restore open space and natural lands, protect rivers and watersheds, and promote stewardship of our environment in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, Illinois.

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