The Hill Country Alliance has set an April 30 deadline for local schools to apply for grants of up to $1,000 to develop or continue water catchment and conservation programs. The auction of “art barrels” during the Alliance’s annual Rainwater Revival, held in October, funds the grants.“Thanks to the talented Hill Country artists who design and paint rainwater barrels, and the businesses who donate the barrels, two schools in our 17-county Hill Country will get funding for conservation programs,” said Christy Muse, Executive Director of the Hill Country Alliance. “The bidders at the Rainwater Revival are generous with their bids and as concerned about helping our young people learn about conservation as they are excited to add a one-of-a-kind rain catchment barrel to their own conservation effort.”
The Rainwater Revival brings together speakers, demonstrations, vendors and fun for novice and experienced collectors of free water from the sky. “Our goal is to show everyone how easy and gratifying it is to collect rainwater, and by funding school programs with our grants, students have an opportunity to learn to be good stewards of our resources at an early age,” Muse said.
The grants are open to public and private elementary, middle and high schools throughout the 17 counties of the Hill Country region. To apply, teachers should provide a one-page description of the project, including number of students reached, expected outcomes, length or duration of project, and general management and participation in the project; the project budget, including grant amount requested and, if anticipated, matching funds or in-kind services (matches not required); letter(s) of support from school principal and any others, as appropriate; and primary contact name, phone and email. Winners will be selected in May, allowing teachers to start their programs with the 2014 fall semester.
Email applications to info@RainwaterRevival.com or mail to HCA-Rainwater Revival, Attention Grant Program, 15315 Hwy 71 West, Bee Cave, TX 78738. Complete information and a list of eligible counties are available at http://www.rainwaterrevival.com as is information about rain catchment and photos of auctioned rain barrels.
The Rainwater Revival is an annual celebration of collection, conservation and common sense designed to help individuals and businesses learn how to capture rainwater for in-home and outdoor irrigation. The free event is sponsored by the Hill Country Alliance and will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, in Dripping Springs.
Photo: Hill Country Montessori School in Boerne receives grant from the Rainwater Revival’s 2013 School Grant Program.