Rain Barrels Support Wildlife

This passage describes how collecting rain water in barrels helps to conserve water later.

Lexile Level: 860L

Categories: Animals & Nature

One way to help wildlife is to use a rain barrel. Rain barrels are a good way to conserve a precious natural resource, water. Families put a container or barrel out and collect rainwater that runs off their roofs. The water caught in these barrels may be used to water plants during a dry time. Another way that families can limit the amount of water their yard needs is to mulch. Mulch can be made from newspapers, bark chips, or leaves. Using mulch lessens the amount of water that plants need because the mulch holds in the water. How does conserving water help wildlife? We pull the water that we use from the ground. The more water we pull from the ground, the less there is for animals and the plants. A rain barrel is an easy and fun way to help wildlife.