The Upper St. Clair High School Environmental Club recently participated in The Barrels by the Bay Three Rivers Project, a non-profit organization dedicated in educating individuals about our world’s water resources. High school students Ethan Bowman, Devon Garcia, Perry Patterson, Riley Kelly and Cassidy Turner painted a reused Coca-Cola syrup barrel that will serve as a rain barrel.

The Three Rivers Project provided the rain barrels and all of the painting supplies, educational materials, teaching tools and installation materials needed for the project at no cost.

The Upper St. Clair High School project was led by Mrs. Janine Despines, high school librarian and Environmental Club sponsor. About 100 teachers in Allegheny County schools registered their classroom to participate in the program. Boyce Middle School’s Green Team also participated.

Participants had the opportunity to learn more about Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers and how storm water runoff concerns can be minimized through rain barrels. The high school’s barrel will be used at The Outdoor Classroom gardens at Boyce Mayview Park.

Barrels by the Bay is a nonprofit organization founded by Megan Rosenberger, a native of Natrona Heights, who is studying at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Barrels by the Bay’s mission is to educate students about the world's water resources.

“The Barrels by the Bay team is excited to bring our program to Allegheny County,” Ms. Rosenberger said. “We hope to inspire the next generation of environmental proponents throughout the program and to provide something unique to the local infrastructure.”

The Barrels by the Bay Three Rivers Project is sponsored by PPG Industries, Coca-Cola, EarthEcho International, and individual supporters throughout the county. For more information, visit www.barrelsbythebay.org.

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