Water-Wise Hastings

by Zoe Gonzalez, Yianna Latona, Fiona Casey & Emerson Swart

Project Description

This project promotes practical water-capture methods to advance village-wide conservation and stormwater management. We installed a rain barrel at the Hastings Historical Society, planted a shade garden on an overgrown plot, and created a reel and webpage to document the process and demonstrate rain-barrel installation. At the Hastings Farmers' Market, we hosted an information stand, spoke with neighbors, and raffled off a free barrel.

The idea originated in a conversation with our neighbor, Haven Colgate, and was refined through collaboration with Village Hall, site surveys, and by brainstorming creative ways to engage and educate the community.

Outputs

One public water barrel for the village, and one water barrel for demonstration
One public workshop on how to install and use the barrel
100 people educated by our project

Outcomes

As a result, residents of Hastings learned proper water-saving methods.
As a result, more residents of Hastings support storm water management, which will help reduce flooding.
As a result, residents of Hastings learned about the rationale of water conservation and simple methods to collect rainwater.

Process

We identified a public structure with old-fashioned gutters that is accessible by the public and on relatively flat land.
Purchased a suitable rain barrel
Purchased tools for installation
Created a video during installation
Created educational materials, such as reels for Instagram
Planned and held an educational workshop at the Hastings Farmers' Market

Lessons Learned

Community conversations spark great project ideas.
Partnerships with officials and local groups are essential.
Choosing the right site makes installation and visibility easier.
Flexibility is needed to adapt tools to existing structures.
Skilled help ensures safety and quality.
Hands-on education engages people best.
Visibility through workshops and social media multiplies impact.
Maintenance planning is critical for long-term success.
Youth and community leadership inspire broader participation.

Students Involved

1 Project leader aged 15-24 (Emerson Swart, Senior at HHS)
10 Total project participants (excluding leaders)
10 Project participants aged 15-24 (excluding leaders)

The overgrown garden

The finished garden

Yianna and Fiona after the rain garden was installed with rain barrel behind the bushes

Jasper Latona, Julia Beltsiou, Mayor Nicola Armacost, Fiona Casey, Emerson Swart, and Village Manager Mary Beth Murphy in Hastings-on-Hudson's Village Hall

Before the Rain Barrel

After the Rain Barrel was installed

Yianna Latona, John Distlehurst, and Fiona Casey with the instaled rain barrel

Thank You's

We would like to thank Mayor Armacost, Superintendent of Parks Aaron Podhurst, the Hastings Farmers' Market, the Hastings Historical Society and its Board President Natalie Barry, Village Manager Mary Beth Murphy, Lisa Liquori, John Distelhurst, Hastings Conservation Commission chair Haven Colgate. Finally, thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund for funding this project.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse