Project Overview
The Gentilly Rainwater Harvesting Program is part of Audubon’s TogetherGreen initiative, with funding provided by Toyota. The project’s main goal is to reduce the likelihood of flooding at the Dwyer Canal in Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods. Longue Vue has also partnered with Green Light New Orleans for the Dwyer Canal Tip the Block project to create a "tipping point" in water and energy conservation.  Other goals include creating a deeper awareness and connection to the natural world around us.

The Big Goal
To have 2,300 households in a target area of Gentilly install two 55-gallon rain barrels at their home to collect the rainwater before it enters the municipal drainage system. (This rainwater will need to be discharged on a regular basis to make room for the next downpour.)

The Strategies
The key strategy is to distribute rain barrels. Beyond this, the project takes numerous approaches to encourage participation. These include conducting rain barrel workshops and rain barrel giveaways, setting up rainwater harvest demonstration sites, and producing a handbook. All are pieces intended to promote the awareness of and connection to our watershed.

Why Rain Barrels?
When engineers were hired to analyze drainage conditions at the Dwyer Canal in Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods, they concluded that if 15% of the homes in a large portion of the greater Gentilly area captured only 100 gallons of rainfall during a heavy rainfall event, localized flooding at the canal could be alleviated. Because the outfall pumps cannot handle the amount of water entering the system with the first flush of heavy rain, the system backs up into our streets and into the Dwyer Canal. This demonstrates that every household has the ability to impact the larger system. If we all do something simple, such as installing a rain barrel or two, we can collectively create a positive impact and possibly reduce the likelihood of flooding at the canal and even on our streets. And as an added benefit, harvested rainwater can be used in a variety of ways – to water your garden, to wash your pets or your car. It can also be directed to recharge the moisture in your soil, allowing pollutants to be filtered by biological processes.

Other ways to improve drainage and reduce flooding:

• Plant trees native to this area. Not only do trees slow the water down but they are super absorbent!
• Plant a rain garden with native water-loving plants!
• De-pave your yard! Or use paving materials that allow water to percolate into soil.
• Take care of your soil - don’t walk on it when it is wet. Compacted soil results in decreased water infiltration.

How you or your organization can be involved:

• Attend a rain barrel workshop
• Add your rain barrel to the Rainwater Revolution Google map. Just email me your information!
• Contribute or become a formal sponsor
• Partner with us if this initiative complements your organization’s goals
• Volunteer for barrel cleaning, building, installation at demonstration sites and more! (See below.)

Call for Volunteers!  We need you.

Workdays are typically Tuesdays through Saturdays. Some Mondays and Sundays are possible. For more information, contact Hilairie Schackai, Director of Community Initiatives at 504.293.4726 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Volunteer tasks and tentative schedules are outlined below.  Please call beforehand. Work sites are at Longue Vue and in Gentilly.

Barrel Preparation
Tuesdays - Fridays
Barrel preparation is a two-step process. It entails hosing out and cleaning the inside of the barrels with a (eco) dishwashing liquid using long-handled brushes; and scrubbing the outside of the barrels to remove dirt and grime. Since this is a job using water and a hose, rain boots and work clothes are recommended.

Painting the Rain Barrels
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons
We need someone who can master the art of quick, clean surface coverage, while minimizing the use of spray paint.

Building Rain Barrels
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons; some Saturdays
Some barrels will be converted at neighborhood workshops. Some will be distributed readymade. Help is needed on both fronts: supporting workshops and making rain barrels for distribution. Materials and tools are will be on hand.

Rain Barrel Installation
workshops are 3 hours; Saturday mornings or afternoons; dates TBD
The goal is to have 150 rain barrels distributed by June 2012. Most installations will be part of the neighborhood workshops. Help design installation instructions. Help install some rain barrels.

Rain Barrel Distribution
Delivery times: TBD
The goal is to have 150 rain barrels distributed by June 2012. The majority of these barrels will be delivered to residents in the Pontchartrain Park and Gentilly Woods neighborhoods. The project manager has a van that can transport up to 8 barrels at a time. An additional vehicle or an additional set of hands to help with the process is welcome. Photo documentation, information upload to Google maps, and record keeping is very important to the success of this endeavor.

Geographic Information
We need a detailed map of Gentilly. A hybrid map (satellite and streets) would be ideal. If you have the technical ability, we need your help! This map will serve as a visual aid at public events to illustrate the number of rain barrels being used in the area.

NOTE: This map will have to be professionally mounted on foam core board and laminated.

Graphic Design
We want you to create stylized graphic designs—based on images from field guides or other resource material—of selected native flora and fauna. These designs will then be turned into stencils, which will be used to decorate the barrels using spray paint.

NOTE: Research will be necessary to determine what material will work best to make the stencils, as these will be large and used repeatedly. Research into the best tool to cut into the material will also be necessary.

Industrial Design
We need you to design a simple rain gauge using a plastic water bottle and minimal materials. These gauges will be distributed to barrel recipients to help them monitor rainfall. Developing a simple written or illustrated how-to guide is part of this task.

Marketing
We want you to create a logo for the “Gentilly Rainwater Revolution.” This logo will be used to create bumper stickers/decals that can be used to promote the project. Target audience must be be considered.  NOTE: Other slogans are encouraged! Drop your ideas into the bucket.

Project Coordinator / Neighborhood Liaison
Communication with neighborhood participants and project partners is key. We would like at least one person to work on behalf of Longue Vue with the Pontilly Neighborhood Association, Green Light New Orleans, and folks who live in the target area to help relay and track information. We need someone to write letters to residents in the target area, to canvas the neighborhood, to follow up with people, to survey the home for installation, track distribution and installation, and manage a database with all this information. A Google map (to include photos) will need to be created and updated.

Volunteer Coordinator
Tracking volunteer time and tasks is important. Because this is a grant-funded project, and also because we want this project to be replicated, we need to know how much time in labor hours the project really takes! We also want to stay in touch with everyone who has contributed, so managing a data base and tools for staying in touch is very important.