PA Resources Council Holds Workshops On Composting, Household Toxics, Rain Barrels

Want to chase away the winter blues? Attend one of the upcoming workshops in Pittsburgh by the Pennsylvania Resources Council on backyard composting, worm composting, household toxics, using rain barrels in more.

The workshops are part of a new environmental education series offered by the Council during January, February and March.

A new workshop is scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at the CCI Center at 64 S. 14th Street in Pittsburgh. The workshops include:

--January 13 - Worm Composting. Learn about the benefits of composting with worms. Each participant or couple will be provided with a bin, instructions, and worms. You will go home with a complete, ready to use vermiculture system!

It's easy, fun, odorless and produces a great soil additive! Class participants will learn how to house, feed, harvest and care for their own worms. Be prepared to roll-up your sleeves and make your own worm composting bin! The cost is $5 per person, $55 for couples.

--February 10 - Health and the Environment, Household Toxics. All workshop participants will receive a non-toxic green cleaning kit.

The Health and the Environment Workshop is designed to heighten awareness and encourage action around the issue of carcinogens and toxins that we come into contact with daily in our environment through the products we use and the food we eat. The workshop also focuses on the consequences of these toxins on our health and how we can avoid exposure. The program provides the public with practical solutions such as safe alternatives and healthy lifestyle choices. The cost is $20 per person.

--March 10 - Rain Barrels. Attend a watershed awareness/rain barrel workshop and return home equipped (with everything except the 55-gal. drum) to assemble and install a retrofitted rain barrel.

Learn how to harvest rainwater from your roof and divert it for on-site usage in the landscape. PRC's Watershed Awareness/Rain Barrel Workshop will raise your awareness of watershed issues, demonstrate how to assemble and install a retrofitted 55-gallon drum/rain barrel, and offer other rainwater harvesting options. While enjoying this free source of precious water, you will be contributing to improved water quality in our rivers and streams, and reducing your contribution to combined sewer overflow (CSO), flooding and polluted urban/suburban runoff. The cost is $30 per person (price subject to change)

Members of the Pennsylvania Resources Council receive a $5 discount for all workshops.

Check the Council website for these and other workshops to be held in the near future or call Sarah Alessio at 412-488-7490 ext. 236.