`Soak It Up Summer` teaches people the importance of rain barrels

The City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry collaborated with Habitat for Humanity and La Crosse Area Waters for its summer sustainability program kickoff.

On Wednesday people were building rain barrels and learning the vital role they play in the city.

Riley Hunter has a rain barrel. She says sustainable water usage is important for the health of local waterways.

"It`s very critical that we find ways that water shed is actually utilized locally versus just letting it all go into the waterways."

Every summer, The City of La Crosse runs an initiative to promote sustainability. This year`s focus is "Soak It Up Summer," a way for folks to build rain barrels and learn about storm water management.

The barrels trap rainwater that would otherwise carry pesticides and lawn chemicals into rivers and lakes, reducing pollution in bodies of water.

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