This year IDEASS students, Devyn Friedfel, Jenifer Toc and Aidan Renner, aim to promote and complete the rainwater catchment system at Natural Bridges Green Career Center (NBGCC) that was initiated in 2011 by IDEASS graduates Lucy Ferneyhough and Winfield Atherton.

The rainwater catchment system at NBGCC will collect rainwater that will serve as the primary water source for the site's irrigation system. In addition to the implementation of the rainwater catchment system, we seek to work closely with NBGCC teachers and students. Together (IDEASS team members, IDEASS mentors, teachers, and students) will collaborate to complete construction of the NBGCC rainwater catchment system and educate students about the various aspects of rainwater catchment systems including state and municipal systems, water depletion, and water policy

The rainwater catchment system at this site will be used to irrigate an organic garden and educate students about water scarcity and green careers. The system will collect rainwater from two classroom rooftops and store collected rainwater in two 5,000-gallon water holding tanks. Once the water is stored, the water will then be pumped to seven different irrigation lines regulated by a Smart Farm Irrigation System (SFIS). Throughout our project we plan to incorporate students from NBHS by educating them on environmental issues, project planning, as well as providing them hands on construction experience. We hope to instill an understanding about the importance of water conservation, while helping to prepare students for potential green careers.