Archive for “Conservation” Category

ARE YOU CURIOUS?

February 13, 2015

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein Eyes alert, hands touching, and “why” bouncing off the tip of his diving board tongue, my nephew is a ball of inquisitive, non-stop energy. Traveling around Arizona as a water educator, I encountered youth in diverse circumstances – all with the same drive to see, touch, and …

Read More

WATER CONSERVATION EXPO, PROVIDED BY SRP

February 2, 2015

Get a discounted “smart” irrigation controller at the SRP Water Conservation Expo! Valley residents are invited to learn how to save water and money by participating in the eighth annual SRP Water Conservation Expo on March 7, 2015. Those attending the free expo will learn about water-saving devices for the yard and home. Booths featuring SRP energy-efficiency and environmental programs …

Read More

RAINWATER GARDEN WINS 2014 “CATCH THE RAIN” PHOTO CONTEST

January 27, 2015

Community Invited to See Best-in-Show Garden at Glendale’s Main Library The City of Glendale’s Water Services Department, Conservation and Sustainability Division, known for its award-winning programs, took home another honor. Glendale received top ranking in the 2014 Water Resources Research Center’s “Catch the Rain” photo contest and captured the Best-in-Show prize for a picture of the Glendale Rain Garden in action …

Read More

Winning with Wayne Drop – The 2014 Kid’s Contest Wraps Up

December 16, 2014

We have a winner in the 2014 Water – Use It Wisely Kid’s Contest! The contest was a smash hit, with 2,778 total entrants who downloaded the Where’s Wayne Activity Book and helped Wayne Drop, the Water – Use It Wisely mascot, save water around his house. But there could only be one winner of a Disneyland family vacation, and …

Read More

The Best Landscaper of All

November 19, 2014

We frequently receive requests asking for names of good landscapers. Because we must remain impartial, we aren’t able to make any recommendations. Except for one….Mother Nature. Use her as a guide and you’ll hardly go wrong. For instance, in nature, rain flows over the canopy of a tree and cascades to the ground from the edges of the branches. We call it the drip line. This is where 90 percent …

Read More

5 Easy Ways to Teach Kids to Save Water

November 14, 2014

When it comes to water conservation, we believe it starts at home… with our children. It is so easy to teach children from the very beginning the importance of conserving one of the Earth’s most valuable resources. Together, we can build a foundation of knowledge so our children all grow up to be stewards of the Earth. Help your kids …

Read More

Cutting the Curb for Beneficial Use of Stormwater

November 6, 2014

On November 1, the morning was crisp and the volunteers were full of energy. Over 40 community members arrived at 7:30 a.m. to learn about green infrastructure and a relatively new idea called low impact development. By lunchtime a 20-foot wide and 200-foot long area in front of Mesa Urban Garden and neighboring restaurant, República Empanada, had over fifty native …

Read More

How to Harvest Rainwater

November 3, 2014

In this arid land, when it rains, it really does pour. Residents who hope to take advantage of this free, yet ephemeral water have begun a revival in the ancient practice of rainwater harvesting, which involves capturing and storing rainwater near where it falls. It’s no surprise that people are interested: harvesting rainwater can save energy and water, reduce the …

Read More

Outdoor Water Use – Fall Checkup

October 29, 2014

Fall is here! And it’s a great time to conduct an outdoor water use checkup, which could help you save water and money. Here are some tips to help you get started: Watering As temperatures begin to drop, you’ll need to water your landscaping less frequently. Make sure you water thoroughly and deeply at each watering. This way, roots are …

Read More

Fall Planting – Wildflowers and More!

October 22, 2014

Fall is a fantastic time to plant because soil temperatures are still warm, encouraging root growth and development while allowing plants to get better established before next summer’s heat sets in. Also, with cooler temperatures, plants need less water and it is a much more forgiving time of year to put new plants in the ground. It’s also the time …

Read More

Get Your Irrigation System in Order for Fall

October 8, 2014

The cool season brings with it the renewal of the mind and body—gone are the long, hot summer days, at least for the foreseeable future. So what better time to get out into your yard and examine the state of your irrigation system? As Water Conservation Specialists, we often see overwatering of the landscape in the fall months.  Plants simply …

Read More

Overseeding A Winter Lawn?

September 11, 2014

I hear the whirring of the lawn mowers and see the dust in the air. It’s overseeding season! It’s a familiar scene in neighborhoods across the Valley every fall… the sound of a roaring lawn mower trailed by a cloud of dust. Immersed in the dusty fog is a homeowner or landscaper engaged in the seasonal ritual of scalping a …

Read More