Rain barrels beside a home collect stormwater to be used for irrigation and other non-potable uses. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County]

Save water. Save money. Save nature. And do it all safely, with a suite of online Rain Barrel Workshops and a new contactless rain barrel purchase option launched by Sarasota County. The updates to the county's popular Rain Barrel Program allow individuals to attend an online workshop, rather than in-person, to learn the myriad benefits of using rain barrels at home or around your business. Participants also will learn about basic setup and operation. "We are excited to offer this popular program again, and help our residents learn and apply water saving techniques for maintaining their landscape," said Lee Hayes Byron, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County director. Sarasota County launched the Rain Barrel Program in 2009, with the aim of helping participants conserve water and save money while reducing stormwater runoff and protecting our natural environment. Since then, residents and business owners have bought more than 3,300 barrels, or enough to collect 18 million gallons of our area's annual rainfall. Upcoming online Rain Barrel Workshops are set for July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19.

Rain barrels beside a home collect stormwater to be used for irrigation and other non-potable uses. [CREDIT: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County]

Learn more and register early (to save your spot) at tiny.cc/ufsaraext_rainbarrel.