"I picked up my first barrel on 8/16/08 like lots of
others, but never installed it until this weekend just before the heavy
rainstorm. What fun it was to watch and to my surprise it filled up VERY
QUICKLY. I was hopeful that I would get the level above the first valve and it
was overflowing before I knew it. We then had plenty to water the covered plants
and wash the cars. I have been spreading the word and I know at least two others
that will be calling you. Thanks as I have been looking for some way to catch
the RAIN water for years. While I collected 60 gallons my wife collected only 2
inches in her watering can...COOL!"
John M., Amherst, NY
Rain Barrel Owner since 2008
Retail Locations:
RIVERKEEPER rain barrels are also
available at:
Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island,
Buffalo, (716) 362-8982
Urban Roots now has downspout diverters on sale for $21.99
(small) and $22.99 (large) each. For more information, call (716)-362-8982
or visit
www.UrbanRoots.org
Drew's TruValue, 2245 Delaware,
Buffalo, (716) 875-3300
Russell's Tree and Shrub Farm, 9800
Transit Road, East Amherst,
(716) 689-6764
Lockwood's Greenhouses and Farm, 4484
Clark St., Hamburg,
(716) 649-4684
Look for the article and photo of an
installation in the Spring issue of Buffalo Spree Home
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Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens
About Rain
Barrels
Rain Barrels are an
important way for residents of Buffalo, Erie, and Niagara Counties to
save water and reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering our
streams, creeks, rivers, and Lake Erie. Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER has
a goal of distributing 1000 rain barrels annually to Erie and Niagara
Counties. Help us Keep the Rain from the Drain!
RIVERKEEPER rain
barrels have the capacity to hold 60 gallons of rain water, stand 39"
tall by 24" wide, and weigh approximately 20 lbs. empty. Colors are
available in Earth Brown, Forest Green, and Nantucket Gray. Built with
a durable wall with a thickness of 3/16", these barrels are one of the
most durable on the market. Each UV protected polyethylene barrel is
made in the USA from a recycled food grade shipping barrel.
Your rain barrel
comes complete with installation instructions, overflow fitting, drain
plug, screw on cover with a mosquito-preventing screen, and a threaded
spigot positioned 14" from ground level.
For more information, please see our
FAQ--Frequently Asked Questions sheet. We hope you find
it helpful and informative.

Payment
Please order your barrel by July 17, 2009
for delivery on August 8, 2009. We have no more in stock.
Pick up on May 23rd will
be between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Purchase
for $99.95 plus tax.
For purchases
of 10 barrels or more, you will receive a 10% group discount!
Rain barrels may be
purchased by:
- Go online by
credit card (American Express, Visa, or Master Card)
Order Now
[link to order form]
- Mail in a
completed order form
[link to order form] with a check made payable to
Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper
- Pay with cash in
person at our regular office hours between Monday – Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
(excluding holidays).
To pay in person or
mail check to: Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER attn Rain Barrels, 1250
Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14213.
As rain barrels are
recycled and transported with limited packaging, they may have small
blemishes. All sales are final. There will be a $35 fee on all
returned checks.
Rain Barrel
Pickup
Please call (716)
852-7483 to schedule your rain barrel pick up. Barrels that are not
picked up within two weeks of your scheduled time will be returned to
inventory. The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper office is located at 1250
Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213 and is open Monday – Friday from 9am –
4:30pm.
Directions to
Pickup:
For a Mapquest map, click
here
From the North:
Take I-190 to Ontario St. exit. Turn right onto Ontario Street. Turn
right onto Niagara Street. The RIVERKEEPER office is a brick building
on the right between the between Auburn and Breckenridge cross streets.
From the South:
Take I-190 to Niagara Street exit. The RIVERKEEPER office is a brick
building on the left between the between Auburn and Breckenridge cross
streets.
Transporting Your
Barrel
Please bring a
vehicle large enough to safely transport your rain barrels. The vehicle
should be able to fit a 39” tall by 24” wide barrel. Some older cars
may accommodate one barrel in the back seat. You are responsible for
loading rain barrels into your vehicle. Riverkeeper is not responsible
for any damage to the barrel or to vehicle while loading or transporting
the barrel. We do not offer delivery services at this time.
Thanks to our
sponsor!
Riverkeeper Rain
Barrel Program has been made possible through a generous grant from the
Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo. We also thank graphic
illustrator Tom Fitch for his support.

Questions?
Please contact Kerri
Bentkowski at (716) 852-7483 or email
kbentkowski@bnriverkeeper.org.
______________________________________________
Crane Branch Library Rain Garden

On Friday, June 12th, Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER and community
volunteers will plant rain garden at the Crane Branch Library in the
heart of the Elmwood Village area of the City of Buffalo. Volunteers
will be planting native species of flowers, shrubs, and trees to create
a demonstration model of low-maintenance, sustainable landscaping. The
rain garden is designed to infiltrate the runoff from the canopy at the
library’s entrance.
Spearheaded by the Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER, the rain garden is a
collaboration between the Green Team of the Buffalo & Erie County Public
Library and Crane Branch Library, Elmwood Village Association Green
Committee, and Premium Services Inc., who will perform the installation
with assistance from volunteers. Landscape architects Joy Kuebler,
Landscape Architect, PC, Renatta Kraft of Micro Parks, and Lynda
Schneekloth have also contributed to the project with technical
assistance and guidance in plant selection.
This project was funded by the generosity of the Vogt Family Foundation.
What is the Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a planted, depressed area in the ground that
infiltrates stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs,
walkways, streets and roads, and compacted lawn areas.
What are the benefits?
Rain gardens help to improve the water quality and water quantity in our
streams, creeks, and rivers. Rain gardens:
•
Increase the amount of water that filters into the ground which can
recharge local aquifer
•
Protect from flooding & help drainage
•
Remove pollutants in runoff before reaching our streams, rivers, and
lakes
•
Help to reduce volume of urban stormwater in sewers to reduce occurrence
of combined sewer overflows
•
Native plants attract wildlife
Do rain gardens work in Buffalo?
Yes! Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have demonstrated
that rain gardens continue to infiltrate in winter. You can even put
your snow on top of the rain garden.
University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center
http://www.unh.edu/erg/cstev/
How can I get more information on rain gardens?
Erie County Rain Garden Guide
http://www.erie.gov/environment/pdfs/rain_garden_booklet.pdf
University of Wisconsin Rain Garden How-To Manuel
http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/GWQ037.pdf
Kansas City’s 10,000 Rain Gardens Project
http://www.rainkc.com/
West Michigan’s Rain Gardens
http://www.raingardens.org/
Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington Homeowners
http://www.pierce.wsu.edu/Water_Quality/LID/Raingarden_handbook.pdf
http://www.topnotchtree.com/Assets/RG_house3Dgrass-jen.gif (photo
credit)

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