REGION — The Every Drop Counts! – Rain Barrel Project is inviting area youth to join in decorating rain barrels to be auctioned off in the summer. It is a way for youth to recognize their watershed address and depict what they love about where they live. The deadline to apply to join in is Friday, April 8.

Participating students become designers, painters and water conservation experts. They design rain barrels that represent their community and love for the environment. After the barrels are painted, they will be displayed in community businesses to promote water conservation and the upcoming silent auctions, scheduled this summer. Schools will receive 100% of the funds raised during the silent auction of their barrels, and the funds can be used for a future environmental project of their choice.

This grant project is supported by the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, and the Pike/Wayne Conservation Partnership to support schools and youth groups in an environmental project to protect and conserve our clean drinking water.

Each group or school is encouraged to produce one to five barrels. Schools and enviro-thon students are encouraged to participate, as well as Scouts, 4-H clubs, youth groups and other student groups. Adult artists may also volunteer to paint a barrel and donate the funds to a school or youth organization for an environmental project.

The project is open to schools and groups in Pike and Monroe counties in PA and Sullivan County, NY. Contact Jenna Mauder by 12 noon on Friday, April 8 at jw1704@gmail.com.