Flowers grow in a rain garden in front of Forever Green Landscaping & Garden Center Monday, June 8, 2009 at the business along Forevergreen Road in Coralville. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS – Over the past week, a number of events have been held across the Cedar River Watershed to celebrate the 40^thAnniversary of the Clean Water Act, which became law on October 18, 1972. These events have brought citizens together to take action for clean water through educational events, volunteer opportunities, and commemorative celebrations in honor of the Clean Water Act.

The Cedar River Watershed Coalition invites the public to participate in two final events that will take place in Charles City and Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, October 24:

All About Rain Gardens

Learn about the benefits of rain gardens for improving water quality and reducing runoff in urban and residential areas.

- noon to 1:00 p.m., Charles City Senior Center (FREE)

- Info: Ann Schneckloth, 641-228-2857

Cedar Rapids Uptown District Tree Planting Project Celebration

Join Trees Forever and partners to celebrate a new street tree planting in Cedar Rapids’ Uptown District.

- 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., 1501 1^st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids (FREE)

- Info: http://www.treesforever.org/Events/20121024/456/Cedar-Rapids-Uptown-District-Tree-Planting-Project-Celebration.aspx

The Cedar River Watershed Coalition encourages people who cannot attend one of these events to do something on their own, with their families, or with groups in their community to help promote clean water in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. To share what you did, please email Mary Beth Stevenson, Coalition Coordinator, at marybeth.stevenson@dnr.iowa.gov.

For more information about the Cedar River Watershed Coalition, please visit http://iowacedarbasin.org/cedar/.