Cedar Block Resource Protectors

A Changing City Block

Cedar Block is a neighborhood in a big city. People built apartment buildings, streets, and a parking lot there. To make room, they covered much of the ground with pavement and removed some trees. When rain falls on pavement, it runs across the hard surface toward storm drains instead of soaking into soil. With fewer trees, people also have less shade.

Neighbors and city workers changed part of the block again. They broke up some concrete at a paved corner, left patches of soil, and planted trees and flowers. Rain can soak into the soil in those patches, and the trees provide shade. Families also use rain barrels to collect water from roofs for gardens. They repair dripping faucets and turn off taps when water is not needed.

Water, soil, and trees are natural resources. The Cedar Block team recorded the estimated gallons of water saved by four actions in one month. The bar graph shows their record.