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The Conservation Foundation’s famous rain barrels had a two-minute thirty-second segment on CBS 2 News Chicago at 5 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2008. Meteorologist Don Schwenneker said rain barrels provide an easy way to save money that’ s also good for the environment. The Chicago area gets nearly three feet of rain water each year and with the rain barrel, you can put that water to work. By attaching a rain barrel to any downspout outside your house, you can catch it and use it later. It’s not a new concept according to Jim Kleinwachter, conservation specialist of the Conservation Foundation, “Your grandmother might have had one, and they just went out of focus as we became free with our water use… A typical home can generate as much as 200 gallons on a quarter-inch rain.”

Using that stored water will help reduce water bills and since the water is untreated it doesn’t contain chlorine or other chemicals.

 Click here to see the entire article and to watch the video.

Dawn Aulet of The Herald News, covered The Conservation Foundation’s home conservation initiative in the Lifestyles section of the Sept. 12, 2008 edition. Conservation members visit neighborhood houses and team up with participants to help plant native species in areas that absorb groundwater, keeping water on-site and reducing runoff into storm drains. In addition to teaching the public about native plants, rain barrels and permeable concrete. “Everything we’re doing is as green as we can do for demonstration purposes,” said Jim Kleinwachter, the DuPage River Watershed Coordinator.

Read the entire article here.

“Plainfield touts rain barrels” is the headline from Janet Lundquist in the Aug. 6, 2008 edition of The Herald-News. The village of Plainfield, Illinois is developing an incentive plan for residents to conserve water by offering rain-barrels at a lower price in spring. The article has data provided by The Conservation Foundation, stating average homeowners pour up to 40 percent of their household water on lawns and gardens each summer. It also states that using rainwater, instead of water from the house will not only save money, but will also put fewer pesticides in natural rivers and streams and reduce the threat of erosion and floods. The article also mentions that while most the village trustees think issuing rain barrels to residents will encourage water conservation, others remain skeptical of the village subsidizing the program. The 55-gallon plastic rain barrels sell for $85 and the village is looking at offering them for $65. With or without the discounted price, the environmental value of a rain barrel remains its greatest incentive.

Christine Moyer interviews The Conservation Foundation’s in her July 28, 2008 article for The Fox Valley Villages Sun, “Going green, saving green: Rain barrels becoming trendy as homeowners try to save money and the environment.” McDonald says rain barrel sales have grown so hectic that they had to limit buyers to once a week otherwise the staff had no time to help other customers. Rain barrels are nothing new, she says, people have been collecting water in them for decades, but now it’s become trendy. If environmental problems persist this trend may very well turn into a permanent solution. In the article, Moyer also goes into explaining what rain barrels are, how they work and some of the benefits.

Click here to read the article.

Renee Tomell of the GateHouse News Service published an article titled “Rain barrels enjoying up-swell in popularity” syndicated from the Geneva Republican for MPNNow.com on July 16, 2008. Tomell reports on the “big splash” rain barrels are making this summer as they enjoy a surge in popularity. In the article, Brook McDonald, the president and CEO of The Conservation Foundation, says people are beginning to embrace water as a valuable natural resource with the amount of respect it deserves. He says people with rain barrels “understand not only is it healthier for the plants, it saves them money and it’s good for the environment. It’s free, clean and life supporting.” Along with more from McDonald, the article features some “Rain Gathering 101″ advice.

Click here to read the article and view some creative rain barrels.

The Thursday, July 24, 2008 edition of Kane County Chronicle features an article by Eric Schelkopf titled: “Pedaling at midnight to raise money for conservation,” The Conservation Foundation’s late night bike-a-thon. On the evening of July 24, hundreds of bicyclists take to the streets of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory to raise money in the name of conservation. The article features event location, registration and campaign duration. Brook McDonald, president and CEO of The Conservation Foundation said, “This is a great way to get some exercise while raising conservation initiative awareness and funds.”

Metromix.com also listed details for the event and some of the perks for riders including a breakfast at the end of the ride, free t-shirts, raffle tickets, refreshments and entertainment.

The Conservation Foundation is making more than just waves along the DuPage River waterways, they’re making a difference. An article in the July 18, 2008 edition of Naperville Sun noted that The Conservation Foundation’s River Sweep program has removed a total of 184 tons of debris from the river’s waterways since it began combing the river in 1991. With the help of nearly 8,000 volunteers over the years, clean-up efforts have been made in Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville, Lombard, Plainfield, Addison, Carol Stream, Bloomingdale and Villa Park. In 1995, the River Sweep pulled more than 20 tons of trash out of the river, declining to six tons in 2007 and to four tons in this year’s event. Brook McDonald, presidents and CEO of The Conservation Foundation said, “Our volunteers continue to find some amazing items in DuPage River waterways, but the ongoing decline in the amount of debris removed is great news.”

Conservation efforts with results like this can’t be done alone. According to the article, “The DuPage River Sweep is supported by American Rivers, which donated garbage bags; the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County; and an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant.”

The Sunday, July 6 edition of the Chicago Tribune featured two reports on rain barrels in Chicago. Erika Slife reports “Chicago-area gardeners thirst for rain barrels,” following local gardener Jim Hollingsed - a resident of Evergreen Park - and the “green engine” that powers his backyard: a 40-gallon rain barrel.

According to Jill Horist, manager of public affairs for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, these barrels have been selling like crazy. With the price for a 50-60 gallon barrel averaging $40, the district has been flooded with demand. The initial 1,500 rain barrels have been sold with another 600 customers on a waiting list. Hollingsed said he doesn’t consider himself an environmentalist, but says he’s “trying to put the ‘green’ back in Evergreen Park.”
Click here to read the article.
With such a high demand this summer, finding a rain barrel for purchase might not be easy. The second report features ways to find out how to get one in your backyard. This report includes The Conservation Foundation’s 55-gallon rain barrels available by calling 630-553-0687, ext. 302, or by e-mailing jkleinwachter@theconservationfoundation.org.
Click here to read the article.

The July 1 edition of the Naperville Sun (Naperville, IL) previews an upcoming conservation event where bicyclists can enjoy a moonlit ride through the rarely accessible grounds of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia as part of The Conservation Foundation’s annual “Chase the Moon Midnight Bike Ride.” The article includes registration information, cost and times. Proceeds benefit The Conservation Foundation’s programs and services.
Click here to read the article.

This event was also featured in the July 7 edition of The Beacon News (Aurora, IL).

Click here for more information on “Chase the Moon.”

Featured in the July 8 edition of the Naperville Sun, reknowned nature photographer Jack Shouba will share his expertise at The Conservation Foundation’s McDonald Farm in a nature photography class from 9 a.m. to noon July 19. The informal class is meant to teach beginners about their subject matter and equipment as well as provide an outdoors training excursion.

Click here to read the full article.