BEC, LCRA Award Grant to Bandera Natural History Museum

BEC and the Lower Colorado River Authority awarded a $25,000 community development grant to the Bandera Natural History Museum. The museum will use the grant and more than $7,800 in matching contributions to install a new rainwater catchment system.
 
The catchment system, made up of two tanks, will be used to educate visitors about rainwater harvesting and provide water for the museum’s landscaping. The larger tank, at 30,000 gallons, will include a pump and fire hose fittings to distribute water around the grounds and for use in case of a fire on the property.
 
"We will use the two smaller demonstration areas for people who might want to start collecting and using rainwater in smaller ways," said Maggie Schumacher, director of operations. "Two decorative rain barrels will be placed on our patio and a solar-operated water feature will be placed in a flower garden."
 
The museum has a roof of more than 8,000 square feet which makes it an ideal property for a rainwater catchment system. The system will also reduce storm damage and erosion.
 
"Watching rain come off the museum's roof made it clear to us that catching and using the water would be extremely beneficial," Schumacher said. "Educating our visitors and the community about the benefits of water catchment systems fits with our education and conservation mission. We are thrilled about receiving this grant from LCRA and BEC."
 
To date, more than 1,300 children from across Texas have visited the museum.
 
The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA's Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA's wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA's effort to give back to the communities it serves. BEC is one of LCRA's wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
 
For more information on BEC donations and grants, visit BanderaElectric.com/Grants

Posted Monday, June 4, 2018