California is heading into the fourth consecutive summer of drought and water is on everyones mind. California Gov. Jerry Brown called on residents to cut their use by 20 percent in 2014, and now speculation is that more restrictions will be in place in 2015 to help get to that target.

Water conservation and efficiency is not only key to ensuring that cities have enough water, it also important to ensuring that our rivers and streams have enough water to maintain habitat for endangered wildlife like coho salmon.

To that end Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN) has partnered with National Storage Tank, Inc.

“National Storage Tank, Inc. is the industry’s leading choice for above and below ground water storage tanks and systems specifically designed for Wineries, Fire Prevention, Ag & Farmers, Manufacturing Facilities, Oil & Fuel, Vineyard Management, Construction Contractors, Landscape Contractors, Storm Water Control, Rain Harvesting, Home Owners and more.”

National Storage Tank, Inc. has generously donated a 1320 Gallon Low Profile Round Water Storage Tank rain barrel that is installed downstream of SPAWN’s headquarters, at the edge of the floodplain. It will help slow run-off into the creek to prevent erosion, and water it catches off the roof and be used to irrigate native plants.

Water Tank and Todd STeiner

SPAWN Executive Director Todd Steiner poses next to the newly installed tank.

The rain barrel will serve as a working example of water conservation in action, and be a showcase that students, schools, community members can visit to learn more about how the rain barrel works seamlessly with a property to easily conserve water.

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SPAWN Biologist Preston Brown next to the newly installed National Storage Tank.

Water tank (plain)

A view of the installed tank. Come visit SPAWN to see the tank and learn how you can install one yourself.

National Storage Tank is also donating tools and supplies to support SPAWN’s hands-on restoration activities in the Lagunitas Creek Watershed, which is home to the last remaining population of Central California Coastal Salmon.

The funding and support from National Storage Tank will allow SPAWN to partner with the Marin County Open Space District to reduce fine sediment pollution inputs into San Geronimo Creek through trail upgrades using hand tools. These upgrades will improve drainage of public trails and reduce the amount of gravel-clogging sediment into local creeks. The project also involves planting native plants along these newly-upgraded trails to stabilize loose soils and increase the habitat value of the watershed.

If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with a National Storage Tank restoration project, or learn more about installing a National Storage Tank rain barrell on your property please contact Watershed Biologist Preston Brown at preston@tirn.net.

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A row of National Storage Tanks ready to be installed.

Learn more about National Storage Tank below:

http://www.nationalstoragetank.com/mission-statement/

http://www.nationalstoragetank.com/blog