The Pennsylvania Resources Council is offering a series of six different workshops at its Delaware County Environmental Living Center now through May on a variety of topics. Here are the workshops available….

Composting Workshops: Composting is nature’s way of recycling. By utilizing the natural process of decomposition, organic materials often considered “waste,” such as grass clippings, food scraps, autumn leaves and even paper, can be recycled back into a rich soil conditioner.

The workshops will be held: March 22, April 26 and May 22 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

These workshops thoroughly cover the importance of composting, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways of using finished compost. Participants will receive an Earth Machine Compost Bin with attendance. This bin, approved across the state as an ideal bin for urban and suburban areas, has an eighty-gallon capacity.

Cost: Non-member Single - $25 Couple $35; Member Single - $20 Couple $30

Worm Composting Workshop: Worm composting or vermicomposting is an effective way to recycle both food and paper waste. According to the U.S. EPA, approximately 10 percent of the waste stream is food and over 38 percent of the waste stream is paper.

The workshop will be held February 20 from 7 to 9 p.m..

These materials can be removed from the waste stream and used as resources, specifically food and bedding for a worm bin. Not only is vermicomposting valuable in reducing the waste stream, it also produces two highly marketable products: worms and castings. Red worms are marketable within the fishing industry and worm castings are for sale in many lawn and garden centers as a rich, organic soil fertilizer.

Learn about the benefits of composting with worms. 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! 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!

Cost: Non-member Single - $25 Couple $35; Member Single - $20 Couple $30

Solar Power Workshop: Join the solar experts from Mesa Environmental to learn the benefits of solar power. Mesa will talk about tax benefits, current grant funding for solar systems and the types of installations.

The workshop will be held February 7 at 7 p.m.

Cost: $5

Frog Frolic Workshop: Join Neumann College Professor Mac Given on a stroll around PRC’s Environmental Learning Center pond to learn about our native frogs, toads and salamanders. Listen to the frog chorus using headphones and an underwater microphone.

This is a great program for families; but wear old shoes or boots and bring a flashlight!

The workshop will be held April 18 at 7 p.m.

Cost: $5 adults, $3 children.

Organic Perennial Gardening Workshop: Get an overview of disease and fungal problems common in home gardens and organic alternatives. Pruning and preventative maintenance also covered.

Participants will work in PRC’s organic garden.

The workshop will be held May 16 at 7 p.m.

Cost: $5 adults, $3 children.

Rain Barrel Workshop: This workshop will help homeowners take advantage of this free source of water while at the same time contributing to improved water quality in our rivers and streams and reducing your contribution to combined sewer overflow and polluted urban runoff.

The workshop will be held March 28 at 7:00. Watch for more rain barrel workshops to be scheduled soon.

Cost: $5 adult.

To register for any of these workshops, contact Sue Cochrane at 610-353-1555 ext. 232 or send email to: cochrane@prc.org .

1/26/2007