Archive for “Environment and Sustainability” Category

News & Events

Celebrate AZ Water: American Wetlands Month

May 12, 2021

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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6 Habits to Fall in Love with this Valentine’s Day

February 10, 2021

LOVE is in the air! We love our earth and the special gifts it gives us, especially water. The water in Arizona is unique and should be appreciated. It got us thinking… what are some easy water-saving habits to fall in love with this Valentine’s Day? 1. Fall in love with sweeping your driveway or patio. Break-up with hosing it …

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Irrigation Maintenance Checklist Perfect for Spring Weather

January 28, 2021

Ahhhh, spring in the Desert Southwest… beautiful, sunny, seventy-five degree days. It’s perfect weather for gardening, but it’s also an especially good time for some irrigation system maintenance. Irrigation problems are not always apparent because of the cool nighttime temperatures, the periodic cloudy days, and even the occasional sprinkle of rain. So, don’t wait until the heat sets in. It …

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Broken spray head

How to Dress Greener: 5 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores

January 13, 2021

Thrift Store Shopping Has become a Way of Life for Many People The average American throws away 70 pounds of clothing every year. Many consider “shop ‘til you drop” a philosophy of life but that lifestyle comes at a high cost. By the end of the 1990s – the golden years of shopping – shoppers were scooping up about 65 garments …

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Local Xeriscape Gardens

November 23, 2020

Local Xeriscape Gardens Demonstrate What You Can Do   Grab some snacks and get inspired! If you’re planning on revamping your landscape this winter, one of the best design resources is your local xeriscape demonstration garden. They provide practical, first-hand examples of plants and plant combinations. Many of the gardens also have shady places to enjoy a picnic lunch, so …

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Fall Container Gardening

November 10, 2020

As the weather changes in November, Arizonans get out and enjoy the cooler temperatures. Why not take advantage of the weather and give container gardening a try this season? We have some great suggestions about how to select a plant, choose a pot, get the best soil, and water your plants appropriately. The plant you choose is an important part …

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Plant of the Month: Fall Planting for Spring Blooms

October 16, 2020

Spring wildflower season is one of the desert’s most colorful periods. But planning for those multicolored displays in the spring requires planning in the Fall. It’s prime time for fall planting! From late September through early December is the perfect time to sow spring seeds in the Arizona desert. Most spring-blooming wildflowers benefit from the cold temperatures of winter and …

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AZ Water Blueprint: A User- Friendly, One-Stop Shop For Insight On AZ’s Water Resources

August 27, 2020

In many respects, the Arizona Water Blueprint – a data-rich, interactive map of Arizona’s water resources and infrastructure created by the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University – could not have been rolled out at a better time. Research into Arizona’s varied sources of water is approaching an all-time high. The Governor’s Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council is examining potential …

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Plant of the Month: Drought Tolerant and Great for the Indoors

August 19, 2020

Indoor plants are all the rage right now, and we get why. Houseplants are a great way to bring nature indoors and caring for them can be therapeutic, too. For some urban dwellers, their plants even take on the role similar to domestic pets (have you named your plants?). They provide many benefits, but like outdoor plants, some require more …

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snake plant

5 Common Landscape Mistakes During Monsoon Season

August 10, 2020

We know, we know, we are in the middle of a “nonsoon.” But hear us out, it will happen (hopefully, one day, maybe soon, we hope…). Monsoon season in the Valley can be a great time of year for suddenly cooler temperatures and extraordinary sunsets, but it makes caring for desert landscapes a bit more mysterious. There’s more unusual weather …

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Arizona-monsoon-clouds

Arizona Water Trivia, Facts, and Tips

July 14, 2020

We at Water – Use It Wisely often find ourselves rambling to family and friends about the importance of water conservation in Arizona. It occurred to us that we should share these facts and tips with everyone. After all, knowledge is power, right? Now you can share Arizona water trivia, facts, and tips with your own family and friends and …

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Educational Resources Involving Water In Arizona For Home-Bound Students

June 24, 2020

When it comes to finding worthwhile material for keeping the young ones occupied during these long weeks of sheltering in place, the need remains great even as the stack of interesting, educational options dwindles. We have found two online Arizona-centric sources that offer kid-level insight into the nature of the State’s water supplies, as well as some breathtaking depictions of …

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