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Herbert Marcus Elementary School receives the Texas Water Development Board's Texas Rain Catcher Award

For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129

AUSTIN – (March 29, 2017)  The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) announced today the recipients of its annual Texas Rain Catcher Award, a rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program. Herbert Marcus Elementary School was recognized in the educational category.

The TWDB's Texas Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas, promotes rainwater harvesting technology, and educates the public on this important water-saving practice.

The Water University Program at Texas A-and-M AgriLife Dallas and the Dallas Police Department worked together to create an outdoor classroom at Herbert Marcus Elementary School. The outdoor classroom provides the opportunity for students, parents, and the community to learn how two newly installed 250-gallon rainwater harvesting cisterns work to reduce dependence on city supplies. The cisterns are also used to irrigate a demonstration garden that includes newly installed fruit trees and a native and adapted pollinator-friendly butterfly garden.

The courtyard renovation at Herbert Marcus Elementary School was spurred by a call from Officer Glenn Delgado, who took on the responsibility of maintaining and improving the dilapidated space on behalf of the Dallas Police. He recruited help from the Dallas Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) and garnered the support of the school's principal, faculty, and staff. The project secured garden grants through the Dallas Police Youth Foundation, Neiman Marcus, Whole Foods, and ADT Home Security. The school also received donations of materials and supplies from The Home Depot.

The Texas Rain Catcher Award competition began in 2007 and is open to all individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities, and other local and state governmental entities in Texas. It recognizes entities and individuals in the rainwater harvesting community and beyond and establishes award recipients as dedicated water conservation leaders in Texas. Herbert Marcus Elementary is one of five awardees being recognized statewide this year.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state's water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.