RAIN BARREL SALE RETURNS WITH FREE TREE GIVEAWAY

Residents can help the city create a greener future by purchasing a rain barrel or selecting a free tree to plant in their community.

"Planting a tree or installing a rain barrel is an action that [any] individual person or family can do ... [it] helps out a little to make our community more environmentally sustainable," says Mark

Green, manager of Environmental Services.

As of May 16, residents can preorder the barrels and trees. They can pick up the order on May 28 in the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre's parking lot.

The giveaway is a part of the city's goal to obtain a 30 per cent urban canopy. The more trees residents plant, the more they help the environment and everything living within it. According to Unflood Ontario, trees provide shade, better air quality and help reduce flooding by absorbing stormwater.

"The best time to plant a tree might have been 20 years ago, but the secondbest time is now," said development horticultural technician Ilyse Norton, adding, "trees don't only clean the air we breathe, they provide shade reducing energy costs, habitats for local species and beautify our community. The giveaway is a chance for residents to get involved with their property in our year-round efforts to rebuild and expand the city's urban canopy."

The rain barrels are made in Canada and are being sold for $55 each. Rain barrels are a great and healthy way to water your garden, reduce water pollution and lower your own water use. Rain barrels also help prevent flooding.

"That water is free, it's clean, there's no chemicals in it. So it's a good use of rainwater, treating rainwater as a resource," said Green.

The city has roughly 350 rain barrels for purchase and 500 free trees to give away. Tree varieties include pagoda dogwood, tamarack, Kentucky coffee tree and Freeman maple.

Residents are limited to one tree per household and up to two barrels. Barrels must be picked up between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on May 28.

For more information and to purchase a barrel visit Stcatharines.ca/ RainBarrel. To order a tree, visit Stcatharines.ca/ TreeGiveaway.

Somer Slobodian is a Sheridan College journalism student completing her internship with Niagara this Week.