Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 1:08 pm

The Cumberland River Compact and the City of Murfreesboro are teaming up to help the community enhance their yards and watersheds with a rain barrel workshop.

The workshop will be from 6-7 p.m. March 5, 2010 the Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park.

The city hopes residents will bring a barrel home to capture spring showers. When installed, these rain barrels will conserve water, save on utilities, and help reduce the harmful impact of runoff to nearby streams and creeks.

"Rain barrels are reintroducing us to the wisdom of our grandparents,” said Mekayle Houghton of the Cumberland River Compact. “Rain barrels allow people to treat rain water as the valuable resource that it is. Rain barrels aid our work of improving water quality in our small neighborhood streams.”

Vena Jones will be teaching the fun, educational workshop where residents can learn everything they need to know to install and maintain their rain barrel.

“We think these barrels are a great way to reduce your water consumption while keeping your flower beds healthy. These programs are good for the environment, they help supports local groups, and can help lower your utility bill!” Jones said.

The workshop is about an hour and a half in length. Participants will receive a rain barrel, along with instructions for installation and helpful hints for use. The workshop is $35. Call 615-522-7602 or e-mail venaj@cumberlandrivercompact.org to register. Space is limited.