Archive for “Environment and Sustainability” Category

News & Events

BEAT THE HEAT AND LEARN HOW TO SAVE YOUR CLIENTS WATER, MONEY, AND TIME!

July 18, 2014

Join the next session of Smartscape classes for landscape professionals and receive expert instruction on how to better serve your clients. The Smartscape program is a comprehensive, research‐based training program that instructs landscape professionals in the fundamentals of design, installation, irrigation, and maintenance of low‐water‐use landscapes. The need for efficient water use, the regulatory environment, methods of water conservation in …

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See Which Photo Contest Submission “Rains” Supreme

July 17, 2014

The second annual Water – Use It Wisely photo contest is a wrap, and we have a winner! After reviewing over 1,000 incredible images celebrating water throughout Arizona, Dave C’s photo of a post-rain scene in Boulder Canyon was a drop above the rest. “The celebration of water in a climate like ours can be very different for each person. …

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Lawn & Order

July 10, 2014

Many homeowners prefer a lawn close to the house that may provide a recreational or play area for children or pets, a relaxing place for lawn chairs and family gatherings and to create a cooling effect. Lawns can be functional and their root mass provides erosion control and helps to filter, capture and break down pollutants. In fact, a practical …

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Top 5 Reasons to Collect Rainwater for Your Landscape

July 4, 2014

July is not only Smart Irrigation Month, but it’s also our summer monsoon season. There’s no better time to talk about rainwater harvesting. Here are our best reasons to take advantage of this great resource.  1. Rain is free Wouldn’t it be great if water just fell out of the sky? Okay, I’m kidding… it’s hard to imagine that right …

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July is Smart Irrigation Month!

July 3, 2014

July is typically the month of peak water demand for landscapes in Arizona. The Irrigation Association named July as Smart Irrigation Month to increase awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies for homeowners. By planting low-water-use plants, watering efficiently, and maintaining and upgrading automated irrigation systems, you can save money, save water and see better results. Here are some tips …

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Water Shortages: The Big Picture

June 27, 2014

The drought and potential shortages of Colorado River water have everyone talking. That’s good news because no one seems to pay attention to water issues if there isn’t a crisis brewing. It’s also the bad news because everyone–pundits, politicians and prognosticator–has an opinion, which makes it tough to determine how the pieces fit together so we can see the big …

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Xeriscape is not Zeroscape

June 24, 2014

Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden shows that saving water can be beautiful. It’s a common mispronunciation, but it’s also a telling Freudian slip: saying “zeroscape” instead of “xeriscape” (pronounced ZEER-escape). To xeriscape is to design a garden that conserves water through the use of drought-tolerant plants grouped according to water needs, water-collection systems, mulch, non-wasteful irrigation, and other commonsense yet once-radical gardening …

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Storm Water: From The Streets To Your Rivers and Parks

May 30, 2014

As if you needed a good reason to pick up after your dog, here is yet one more: storm drains. Phoenix, a city of blue skies and sunshine, maintains an 895-mile storm drain system. Desert storms are few but the hard and fast rain rushes across yards, driveways, sidewalks and streets. The torrents carry away oil from dripping cars, goop …

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It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…your plumber?

May 12, 2014

A new breed of service professionals is coming to the forefront of the plumbing industry. Behold, the current generation of Superhero Plumbers, armed with the education, energy, and drive guaranteed to change the way you look at the person you called to come fix that leaky faucet. These special plumbers are called Green Plumbers, and they truly stand apart from …

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Clinton Global Initiative Helps Transform PHX Renews

May 9, 2014

What can 650 college students, 100 veterans, and 150 community leaders accomplish in just three hours? They can turn a vacant lot into a neighborhood educational venue. In March, former President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton brought together students from across the country and around the world to Arizona State University to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI …

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Celebrate AZ Water Photo Contest

May 1, 2014

In a state full of picturesque landscapes, the most lasting images are the ones that feature water. From canyon streams to shimmering lakes, morning dew on ponderosas to rain puddles in backyards, something about capturing water scenes in Arizona inspires awe. For the second annual Water – Use It Wisely Celebrate AZ Water Photo Contest, we’re once again putting the …

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Save Water. Win a Prius.

April 22, 2014

Which American city can be the most water-wise this year? As many of you already know April is Water Awareness Month (WAM) in Arizona! If you are looking for additional ways to become involved in your city’s water conservation goals here is an easy and rewarding – and AWARDing – way to celebrate WAM and that is by taking the National …

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