The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (ECDEP) is proud to announce a rain barrel painting contest for middle and high schools in Erie and Niagara counties in honor of Earth Day 2013! Schools are encouraged to enter a team, whether through a class or an after-school program, by completing the attached registration form. The team will design and paint a rain barrel provided by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo, Inc. for the theme, Rainwater is a Resource, Not Just Runoff. Other sponsors include the Western New York Stormwater Coalition and the Erie County Water Quality Committee. They encourage teachers to incorporate lessons on conserving resources, stormwater pollution prevention, and reusing materials for a sustainable planet wherever possible.
The snow is falling gently, the outside ice rinks are ready to be enjoyed, and Jack Frost is nipping at your nose. These are all sure signs that winter is here, whether you enjoy it or not. Another common winter sign is a house decorated with icicles. As aesthetically pleasing as some may find this image, it is often an indicator of housing heat loss rather than winter beauty.
