When society asks if we are making the best use of our resources, ideally they will look towards others that have already done so. Enter the Church Institute. The Church Institute is a young organization with a old soul filled with practical real world experience and devotion to creating the first sustainable design center in the Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Much of the work that has gone on here deals mostly with low impact manufacturing, minimal and earth-friendly packaging, re-purposing materials and waste while predominantly dealing with micro-farming and small garden crop efficiency.

Now with the help and support of the Sprout Fund - the Institute can begin to take a broader step in the bringing to light the advantages of what can be termed as "collaborative landscaping".  The scope of Sustainable.Clean.Water. provides a live demonstration site in the efficiencies in methods of landscaping that promote water conservation and beautification collaboratively - by leveraging native plants and available untreated water.

The primary goals of this project centers around easy to achieve initiatives for residents curious about contemporary conservationism combined with a sort of Storm Water Management meets Rainwater Harvesting. Although many may have read articles about the benefits of initiatives such as these, it is rare to actually be able to attend a workshop or see the principals in action. It is this practical dilemma of turning thought into action by way of practical demonstration that we feel was so appealing to the Sprout Fund.

At a time when water conservation is so much on peoples minds, this project provides the premise that the capture and efficient use of rain water is easily accomplished and provides no impact on the quality of its more traditional use in landscaping.   Most importantly, this project demonstrates the ability for individuals to begin to develop their own water sanctuary/garden for themselves.