Two Blair County agencies are combining efforts to help residents in receiving a compost bin and/or a rain barrel.
The Blair County Conservation District and the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling have partnered for a compost bin and rain barrel seminar for Blair County residents.
Residents can attend one or both programs being held in the Duncansville area on Thursday, Sept. 21 and homeowners will be able to receive a compost bin and a rain barrel to start recycling organic materials and stormwater.
A composting session will be held from 5:45 to 6 p.m. to educate residents on backyard composting. Jan Arnold, the director of the Blair County Department of Solid Waste, will conduct the seminar.
The Stormwater session and rain barrel construction seminar will be held from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Steve Putt, a resource conservation specialist from the Blair County Conservation District, will conduct the session.
Attendees will receive a 3 foot by 3 foot compost bin made from recycled materials and will also receive materials to make a 30 or 55-gallon rain barrel either on site or at home.
Space is limited and the cost is $10 due by Sept. 11. Anyone registering after Sept. 11 will be charged $15. Rain barrels from Spruce Creek Rain Saver are also available for $120.
The event is being held at the Blair County Research and Demonstration Compost Facility located 1/2 mile south of the intersection of Routes 22 and old 220 in Duncansville (just south of Inlows Restaurant). Light refreshments will be provided.
Anyone wanting to register or seeking more information should contact the Blair County Conservation District at 696-0877 ext. 5. The district office is located at 1407 Blair St., Hollidaysburg. The email address is aritchey@blairconservationdistrict.org.
The Blair County Conservation District, Blair County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, PA Department of Environmental Protection and the Penn State Extension Service are sponsoring the event.
Those unable to attend the event may also inquire with their local municipality about availability of the bins or rain barrels. The conservation district has offered to make a small supply of the bins and rain barrels available to municipalities at their request.
According to information on its web site the mission of the Blair County Conservation District is the protection, preservation, and enhancement of Blair County\’s natural resources by providing technical assistance and educational guidance.
The web site noted that Pennsylvania\’s conservation districts were established in 1945 when the General Assembly passed the Soil Conservation District Act, commonly known as the Conservation District Law.
The information said conservation districts were initially established to promote the value of conserving soil and water to farmers. Today\’s districts have evolved to include areas of interest and expertise on many different natural resource conservation issues.
The Blair County Conservation District was founded in 1966.
