132-gallon rain barrel. check.

We love our rain barrel.  It's wonderful for catching rainwater which is then used to water our vegetable garden, herbs, and other plantings.  Water conservation, unadulterated rainwater, lower water bill... what's not to like?

We really wanted another one, though, in the front of the house, to water all the herbs, medicinals, and stray tomato plants that we plunk in amongst the hydrangea and peony and hellebores.  Oh, and the bee and butterfly bed.  And the asparagus/beet/tomato bed.

Recently we went to RIVERFest in Norfolk, our neighboring city.  It was a lovely day of learning about cleaning up our rivers and keeping them clean, conserving natural resources, boarding the Learning Barge, and chatting with local organizations.

One such group, the Elizabeth River Project, was signing folks up to be River Star homeowners.  Say what?  Yeah, so, River Star Homeowners are basically folks doin' right by the river, helping to restore the Elizabeth River and the Lafayette Branch!  You agree to do 7 simple things...

1. "SCOOP THE DOG POOP"
2. REDUCE LAWN FERTILIZERS
3. ONLY RAIN IN THE STORM DRAIN
4. NO GREASE IN YOUR SINK
5. HELP GEESE MIGRATE - DON'T FEED THEM
6. PUMP OUT YOUR BOAT WASTE AT PROPER FACILITIES
7. DON'T FLUSH MEDICINES

...and the organization gives you access to information on doing more, a spiffy little River Star Home flag for your yard, AND the opportunity (through a grant) to purchase a 132-gallon rain barrel, completely installed, for $75!!!!  You guessed it.  We signed up.  We wrote the check.  We flew our flag.  And today, that beauty was installed!

Mike, a sweet and patient man with a smile and a bright orange shirt, kindly answered all my questions, turned the barrel this way and that until I was happy, and got to work rerouting our gutter downspout.  The hubs worked with him, arranging foundation stones under the barrel, removing an unwanted sapling to clear more room, and finishing off with a flourish of river stones (we're all about the costuming over here!).

And now, we wait for rain...

While we're waiting, you can check out the programs in your area to do right by your rivers, forests, and other natural areas.  Take care of the pollinators and birds.  Make your home a safe haven for native plants and critters.  You'll be glad you did!