Green Life Project: The Water Cycle

This is a fun family project to do to show how water recycles itself!

Things you will need:
- A clean glass jar and lid (mayonnaise jars work well)
- Gravel
- Clean sand (play sand or aquarium sand)
- Potting soil
- A small plant such as moss, or grass seed or small beans
- A bottle cap or small seashell.

Directions:
1) Layer into the jar the gravel, sand, and then the soil on top. Use thinner layers of gravel and sand, and a thick layer of soil.
2) Add a small plant, or seeds.
3) Gently water.
4) Add shell or cap with water in it, and close lid.
5) Place in a sunny spot and watch the water cycle over the next hours and days!

Rain Barrel

Why install a rain barrel?
Rain barrels are great for homeowners who have external downspouts and want to save rainwater to water plants on a dry day or even to wash a car. For gardening, rain water is great since it doesn’t contain chlorine. An average rainstorm can fill a 50 gallon drum within an hour!

How much will it cost?
Rain barrels do not have to cost a lot of money and are actually great DIY projects. You can also buy models that vary in price from $50-$1600. Some cities even subsidize or provide rebates for residents.

Rain Barrel Tips
· Use a mesh screen to keep leaves and animals out of the rain barrel.

· Since airborne pollutants can be a problem in many areas, use your collected water for plants, cleaning your car, watering the lawn, but not to drink!

· Clean out the barrel frequently to avoid algae growth and remove sentiment.

· Put the barrel up off the ground to make it easier to drain the water out of the bottom.