What is Sustainability?
The definition of “sustainability” is the study of how natural systems function, remain diverse, and produce everything it needs for the ecology to remain in balance. It also acknowledges that human civilization takes resources to sustain our modern way of life. There are countless examples throughout human history where civilization has damaged its own environment and seriously affected its own survival chances. Sustainability takes into account how we might live in harmony with the natural world around us, protecting it from damage and destruction.
Our sustainability projects
We use rain barrels and cisterns to catch and store rainwater from impervious surfaces for the purpose of watering our orchard and gardens.
what is a cistern?
A cistern is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often built to catch and store rainwater in larger volumes in tanks (above or below ground) for use in various non-potable applications such as toilet flushing. In our case, Stillmeadow will mainly use its cisterns for landscape irrigation.
… Rain Barrel?
Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It's a great way to conserve water, reduce soil run-off, and comes in handy in a drought or if you live in an area under water conservation restrictions.
location
Cisterns and rain barrels are strategically located to maximize rainwater collection
What is the difference between a rain barrel and a cistern? Size. Rain barrels are generally smaller and are installed above-grade, whereas cisterns are larger and may be installed above- or below-grade.
