Archive for “Environment and Sustainability” Category

News & Events

Making the Most of the Water in Your Home

August 20, 2019

Water is an important part of your daily home routine: from washing and bathing to cooking and cleaning, water plays an integral part in most homes across the country. You can take a few small measures to ensure that the water in your home is conserved, used correctly, and not damaging anything inside. From water leaks to water conservation, we’ll …

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Is 24,000 gallons of water per month too much for a family of three?

August 12, 2019

When in doubt, ask. Here are an interesting question and answer about home water use that I think all homeowners can take advantage of. You asked … I have a concern about high water usage. We have lots of mature landscaping, but artificial turf (no grass), a fairly large pool, hot tub, three full baths, and a 1/2 bath. There …

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Be Water-wise With Your Pool This Summer

July 23, 2019

Summer temperatures have arrived, meaning it is time to be cool in the pool. Pools are one of the greatest outdoor water users. So before you dive in, it’s important to ensure your pool is running as efficiently as possible. We can help you be water-wise with your pool this summer. Here are a few simple ways you can conserve …

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Plant of the Month: 5 Plants That Can Take the Southwest Heat

July 16, 2019

It’s no surprise that the biggest challenge to growing plants in our region is the intense heat and dryness of summer, which is a stressful environment for plants. Thankfully, there are several plants that thrive in a hot, dry climate. Here are a few of Southwest Gardening’s Noelle Johnson’s favorite plants that can take the Southwest heat.   1. Bush Lantana (Lantana …

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Queen Creek Showcases Water Conservation at Library

July 2, 2019

On average, how much water do you think a person uses each day? If you guessed 120 gallons … you are correct! That figure alone may not be very impressive, but when standing in front of a 16-foot-tall tower equaling 120 gallons, it becomes much more impactful! During the month of July, you can visit the Water – Use It …

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Queen Creek: This little guy is very happy to be at the library!

Hydrate Your Yard with Rainwater, Greywater, and Composting!

June 28, 2019

Envision your dream landscape. Does it have a rainwater-harvesting garden, rockwork, and basins overflowing with flowering native plants? How about a greywater system watering a fig tree or a buzzing pollinator garden? Once you’ve got the image, how would you bring it to life? Watershed Management Group (WMG) can help! Water harvesting rain gardens are basins that collect water and …

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Celebrate AZ Water: Outdoor Recreation Along Arizona’s Waterways is a $13.5 Billion Industry

June 25, 2019

According to a new study, outdoor recreation along Arizona’s waterways is a $13.5 billion industry, ranking higher than golf and mining. Arizona’s waterways, enjoyed by more than 1.5 million residents each year, contribute $13.5 billion to the state’s economy and support 114,000 jobs, according to a new report released by Audubon Arizona. The study was completed with guidance from business, …

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Plant of the Month: Ironwood — The Desert’s Oldest Nurse | Plants for Birds – Part 3

June 11, 2019

Feeling melancholy as you sweep up the spent yellow petals of your Palo Verdes? I understand why: when the “month of monochrome yellow” is behind us, the baking summer is upon us, and most plants (and people!) sober up to prepare. Don’t despair yet, though—late spring wildflowers still surround Saguaros wreathed like brides with white blooms. And, now is the …

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Conserving Water In Your Garden — 13 Essential Tips

June 4, 2019

A healthy, thriving garden needs water, there’s no way around that. However, many people waste huge amounts of water, and it’s possible to make a lot less of it go a lot further. Here are our top 13 essential tips for conserving water in your garden. Why bother saving water? Before we look at how to save water, let’s just …

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Water Conservation Matters and It’s In Your Hands

May 28, 2019

When you stare out at the ocean or turn on your kitchen faucet, it’s easy to believe that water is an infinite resource. The truth is that clean drinking water is very limited. In fact, only one percent of the water on earth is suitable for human consumption. Sadly, this water is being polluted so quickly that it is difficult …

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Celebrate AZ Water: American Wetlands Month

May 24, 2019

This month, we are celebrating American Wetlands Month! When you think of wetlands you might think of marshlands like the Louisiana Delta or the Florida Everglades. What might surprise you is that we do have wetlands in the Arizona desert. Some are natural and some are manmade. What is a Wetland? Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or …

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Plant of the Month: Desert Ruellia

May 13, 2019

Vibrant purple color, lush green foliage, and a long bloom period combine in the form of desert ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis). This Southwestern native thrives in full sun and shrugs off the intense heat in summer. The arrival of spring is greeted by a large flush of purple flowers, which contrast beautifully against the bright green leaves. Flowering will continue through …

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