WILLOW WOOD — The Lawrence Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded a $500 grant for a program titled “Backyard Conservation: Rain Barrels.”

The grant was offered through the Ohio Division of Natural Resources — Division of Soil and Water Conservation and the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission. This grant allows the district to purchase two rain barrels.

One barrel is permanently stationed at the Lawrence County Dog Shelter, where it will be used to clean out animal cages and bathe the animals. The other barrel will be on display at the County fair, workshops and other events throughout the County. A portion of this grant will be used to provide information at workshops about rain barrels and backyard conservation. There is a sign at the dog shelter explaining the benefits of the rain barrel to the environment.

There have been dates, locations and times set for the workshops on rain barrels and backyard conservation. They are as follows:

Thursday, July 29 at 3 p.m. at the Lawrence County Commissioners Office

Monday, Aug. 16 at 4 p.m. at the Ironton Branch of Briggs Library

Thursday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Proctorville Branch of Briggs Library

Monday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at the South Point Branch of Briggs Library

Thursday, Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ironton Branch of Briggs Library

The workshops are free and open to the public. If you have any questions about the workshops or rain barrels, please call the Soil and Water Office at 740-867-4737.