Archive for “Conservation” Category

News & Events

Firecracker Penstemon: What’s Not to Love?

February 9, 2026

This month’s Plant of the Month blog spotlights another standout selection from the newly revised Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr — a must-have guide for any desert gardener! With 150 water-wise picks perfect for the Southwest, it’s no surprise we’re big fans here at Water – Use It Wisely. One of our favorite features? Greg’s playful deep dives into the etymology (the origin of …

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Top Blogs of 2025: Your Favorite Reads on Water-Saving Wisdom

January 12, 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re celebrating the blog posts that inspired readers to care for their landscapes, conserve water, and support the desert environment. From expert tips on pruning and xeriscape conversions to guides on pollinators, water use, and desert-friendly plants, these articles provided practical advice, innovative ideas, and eye-opening insights.   1. Plant of the Month: Guayacán …

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The 12 Days of Wayne Tips: Save Water This Holiday Season

December 10, 2025

Hi there, friends! It’s me, Wayne Drop, your favorite water-saving droplet! The holiday season is here, and while we’re busy decking the halls, cooking up feasts, wrapping gifts, and gathering with loved ones, it’s also the perfect time to sprinkle in some water-saving cheer. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or just enjoy the magic of winter, these 12 water-saving …

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Mesa Celebrates Wyland National Water Conservation Win

October 13, 2025

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Mayor Mark Freeman joined Wyland Foundation President and CEO Steve Creech at Kerr Center for Agriscience. They gathered to honor Mesa’s big win in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Mesa earned first place in the 300,000–599,999 population category. It was one of five cities nationwide recognized. This recognition was for achieving the highest …

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Plant of the Month: Wildflowers!

October 6, 2025

Seeds of Spring are Sown in the Fall We’ve never given away a Plant of the Month before—but this time we’re kicking things up a notch with a free wildflower seed packet! Sign up for our monthly newsletter and we’ll mail you seeds to start your own spring bloom. But here’s the catch: you need to plant them NOW. Why …

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Soaking Up Knowledge: Phoenix Educators Dive into Water Conservation

September 15, 2025

This past June, educators from around the Phoenix area gathered for four sessions of the “PHX Water Smart Teaching” program. The program consists of interactive workshops designed by the City of Phoenix Water Services Department’s Water Conservation Office to help Phoenix educators bring water conservation education into their classrooms. What is Water Smart Teaching? Water Smart Teaching is not only …

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Fall Planting with ‘Water – Plant It Wisely’

September 4, 2025

The Fall Planting Season is Here! The fall planting season has arrived (really!), and cooler temps make it the perfect time to get your landscape back in shape. Maybe you lost a few plants during the record-hot summer, or maybe you’re ready to swap out high-water-use plants for water-thrifty ones. Either way, fall is the season to dig in! Water …

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Celebrate ‘Planting for Monarchs Month’ in September

August 28, 2025

September is ‘Planting for Monarchs Month’ in Phoenix and it’s a great time to think about what native species to plant this Fall. Planting native species maximizes the bang for our buck – supporting water conservation while building a healthy urban ecosystem – and the monarch butterfly is just one of many species that benefits. The monarch’s multi-generation, 3,000-mile-long migration …

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Five Mistakes That Harm Your Landscape During the Summer

July 7, 2025

Are you looking for ways to help your trees and plants thrive under the intense heat of the desert summer sun? Desert-adapted plants are naturally suited for this climate, but they do require some additional care during the summer months to truly flourish. Many enthusiasts unknowingly make changes that can be detrimental to their trees and plants. Here are five …

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Save Water, Save $$$ at the Virtual SRP Water Conservation Expo

June 24, 2025

  Water you doing to conserve this summer? Secure your spot and join us online for the virtual 2025 SRP Water Conservation Expo from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 15! This one-hour virtual webinar is available to anyone with a smart phone or computer who wants to learn how to reduce water use and purchase a smart irrigation controller …

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Less Grass Mow Money! Tucson’s New Commercial & Multifamily Customer Incentives

June 17, 2025

More Water Conservation Help is Here for Commercial & Multifamily Customers! Tucson Water has had a robust conservation program for residential customers since the late 1990s, offering free water conservation kits; high-efficiency toilet, clothes washer, gray water, and rainwater harvesting rebates and, in some cases, free toilet replacements and emergency repairs for qualifying customers! Commercial and multifamily customers have also …

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Do You Have a Water Leak? Well, I Did!

May 15, 2025

Large Water Bill?  Imagine my surprise when I opened my water bill to discover that my household water use went from 3,000 gallons to 7,000 gallons! To put this in perspective, an in-ground small swimming pool holds approximately 10,000 gallons of water. The first step I did to determine if I had a leak was to make sure nothing inside …

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