BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- While some communities are looking into pay as you throw trash programs, the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District is encouraging home conservation projects this spring.

District manager Chris Brewer says purchasing a recycled rain barrel, a compost bin or even buying from their tree and shrub sale can help with conservation. Their website has several items listed under backyard conservation to view. Brewer says even small contributions can make a big difference in the environment.

Brewer says, " A rain barrel can store up to 1300 gallons of water a year which you wont have to take for your well or a public water supply that just came from the sky. And so you reduce that kind of energy usage. And composting reduces several hundreds of pounds of waste in your trash stream. "

I come to you not as your improv blogger this evening, this time i'm in reporter mode. My story that I'm working on that will air tomorrow night on NEWS CENTER at 6 is on the 14 hour Strive U Dance marathon. 

I headed over a little earlier in the evening to check out the volunteers prepping, and they shared with me something that I think is really cool!  They are streaming the entire event LIVE! They have already begun streaming thru Ustream, so go ahead and show the Stive U volunteers some love and go check it out.  I'll be back at the event later on in the evening, so maybe you'll see me reporting in background. Enjoy!

Strive U LIVE video

If you're interested in attending this fun event all the money goes towards a great cause!