Huntington Beach, Calif- A special Rainwater Harvesting System that will feed plants and animals, save water and money as well as help eliminate pollution from going into the ocean was joyfully put in by volunteers at Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach Tuesday.

"It's a win-win-win for everyone involved," said Ed Beaulieu, chief sustainability officer of Aquascape, a St. Charles, Ill.-based company that donated the system which can use 4,000 gallons (half a swimming pool) of water.

Rainwater is collected on the Interpretive Center's rooftop, then goes down into barrels, where hoses drain it to a 15-foot by 15-foot, rubber-lined underground storage basin, so it can be pumped to a 25-foot-long river and water native vegetation as well as feed birds and other wildlife.

"Stormwater runoff is the number one cause of coastal pollution," Beaulieu said. "It picks up chemicals and other pollutants on its way to the ocean. But we're teaching how to capture, filter and reuse water for the benefit of everyone."

"We're thrilled with this water conservation project that will educate Shipley visitors--students, contractors, farmers, homeowners, city and county officials," said Chuck Glenn, a nature center board member. "With less water available nowadays, it has to be conserved and reused."

Representatives from the City of Huntington Beach Water Department were at the gathering, where Aquascape, contractors and others teamed up and voluntarily put together the impressive RainXchange System.

Leon Gray, a certified Aquascape contractor, was on hand to help other  contractors learn about the value of rainwater recycling for commercial, municipal and residential uses.

"Beautiful Shipley Nature Center is a perfect spot to showcase this important process," Gray said. "And much-needed rain is even predicted for later tonight and tomorrow."

How much does it cost? According to one of the installers, the price with materials and labor for this new, donated system normally would cost around $25,000. To learn more about Aquascape Inc, and for resources in finding  Aquascape retailers, installers, and certified RainXchange professionals, visit: aquascapeinc.com

Shipley Nature Center is in Huntington Beach Central Park, 17851 Goldenwest St. www.shipleynature.org