In the News

(above) PLANTERS ... The first of 88 trees in eight species that will be planted this year around Decatur is seen at a site along the high bank above the St. Mary’s River near downtown. The trees — including this swamp white oak — were bought with $4,000 from the city's stormwater department. From left are, Joan Eichhorn, head of the stormwater department; Craig Krull and Sue Milholland of the parks and recreation department; and Dwight Pierce, city forester. (Photo by Eric Mann)

    Nearly 700 trees will be planted in Decatur this year and in 2012 by the Decatur-Adams County Parks and Recreation Department, thanks to a $30,000 grant.
   Some 350 trees will be planted in wooded areas of city property to make up for ash trees being lost to the Emerald Ash Borer insect. These trees will be about four feet high.
   Another 250 will be planted in city parks and along streets to make up for dying ash trees. These will be about 12 feet tall.
   And another 88 trees will be planted around town to help divert thousands of gallons of storm water per year from the city's storm water system by "shedding the rain onto lawns and then percolating [that water] back into the soil. Rain water that remains on leaves is evaporated back into the atmosphere," says Dwight Pierce, the city forester.
   A total of 600 trees are being obtained through a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Indiana's Division of Forestry.
   The other 88 trees were bought with $4,000 from the funds of Decatur's Storm Water Department and include sugar maples, swamp white oaks, sweet gums, honey locusts, dawn redwoods, ginkos, crabapples, and katsuras. (April 2011)

Pictured above are Brenda Currie and Joan Eichhorn Decatur’s Storm Water Department Manager. Brenda won this rain barrel as a “Spotlight” give away by the Storm Water Department.

If you are looking for ways to save on your water bills, help conserve water and reduce storm water runoff which decreases water pollution install a rain barrel!

Rainwater is the most precious source of freshwater on earth and anyone with a roof can harvest it. One half inch of rain fall on the average 1,000 square foot roof will yield approximately 250 gallons of rain water! It’s a huge source of water as close as your nearest down spout. Plants love rain water because it is naturally soft and free of chlorine and other chemicals.

Anyone with questions about installing a rain barrel can contact Joan at 724-4218. (March 2011)