Water Use It Wisely

SRP Water Conservation Expo
2025-03-01 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | PERA Training & Conference Center, 1 E Continental Dr, Tempe, AZ, 85288, United States
Join us in person on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 8 a.m. – noon at PERA Training and Conference Center in Tempe for the water-saving event of the year! The annual SRP Water Conservation Expo brings together our community to raise awareness of water in the Valley and discover ways to conserve at home.

Purchase a smart irrigation controller (limit 1) for $60 plus tax, plus high-efficiency spray heads (limit 20) for $2 plus tax, and nozzles (limit 20) for $.50 plus tax.
Shop desert-adapted plants at the mini plant sale hosted by Desert Botanical Garden.
Discover water conservation products and rebate programs.
Attend classes about rainwater harvesting and how to use the latest water-efficient irrigation technology.
Learn about water conservation and management from SRP staff and other water professionals (including Water – Use It Wisely with AZ Plant Lady).
Get a FREE Evolve showerhead that helps you waste less hot water, or receive an SRP reusable water bottle to stay hydrated (while supplies last).

Visit srp.net/2025expo to learn more and register!

Avondale: Pollinators in m y Backyard
2025-03-01 10:00 - 11:00 | 399 E. Lower Buckeye Rd.

Mesa's Arizona Green Business Certification: Step 1 – Go Green. Step 2 – Profit!
2025-03-06 17:00 - 18:30 | Mesa Business Builder@The Studios, 59 E 1st Street, Mesa, AZ, 85201, United States
Mesa is excited to offer free hands-on consultations from Local First Arizona’s Sustainability team. Get actionable strategies to lower costs while increasing profits, reduce environmental impact, and boost brand recognition.
Key Takeaways:

Develop a tailored sustainability plan and ideas for improvement.
Discover how less waste = more money!
Build customer loyalty as an environmentally conscious business.
Learn about incentives and funding options for upgrades.

Businesses with a commercial location, including nonprofits, will realize the greatest benefit. Don’t miss this opportunity unlock the secrets of sustainable success! Register now!
Knuckle Sandwiches, a proud local certified green business, will cater refreshments for the event. Plus, we’ll have raffle prizes you can put to use right away to save at your business! This event is proudly co-sponsored by Local First Arizona, Mesa Business Builder, and Mesa’s Environmental and Sustainability Department.

Queen Creek: Composting
2025-03-08 09:00 - 10:30 | Town of Queen Creek Library, 21802 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, United States
Join our composting class to learn how to transform kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich, organic compost for your garden and beyond!
Composting is an environmentally responsible way to manage organic waste and a valuable resource for enhancing soil fertility. In this workshop taught by a local expert, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to become a successful composter.
This FREE Water-Smart Workshop is open to all Town of Queen Creek water customers. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Peoria: Recycing 101
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Peoria Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ, 85381, United States
Recycling can be confusing, but we are here to help! Recycling staff will guide you through what items are accepted in Peoria’s recycling program versus items meant for the trash. Learn why recycling properly is important and how diverting waste from landfills promotes a sustainable future!

Glendale: Xeriscape Garden Walk & Talk
2025-03-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Glendale Main Library, 5959 W Brown St, Glendale, Arizona, 85302
Take a leisurely stroll through the Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden that surrounds the Glendale Main Library (5959 W Brown St). Embrace xeriscapes and see living examples of low-water-use plants in-person with Landscape Architect and Watershed Management Group certified rainwater harvesting professional, Kaylee Colter.
***We recommend bringing a water bottle, wearing close-toed shoes, a hat, and sunglasses.***

Mesa's Spring Equinox in the Monarch Garden
2025-03-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Mesa Red Mountain Library, 635 N Power Road, Mesa, AZ, 85201, United States
Families are invited to a flutter-tastic Spring Equinox celebration at the Monarch Haven and Reading Sanctuary at Red Mountain Library! Immerse yourself in the world of monarch butterflies with experts from the Southwest Monarch Study and the Desert Botanical Garden. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities at the library’s craft tables or make Sonoran Desert native wildflower seed bombs with the M.O.R.E. (Mesa Outdoor Recreation Experience) mobile unit. Chat with city landscape experts, Master Gardeners, and other exhibitors about plants, trees, and sustainable gardening. Don’t miss your chance to win cool prizes—like an origami butterfly! Plus, raffles and surprises await. It’s a nature-filled morning of fun for the whole family!
The spring equinox marks the official start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when the sun crosses the equator. In Mesa, this celestial event happens on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 2:01 a.m.

Tempe: Common Mistakes When Planting Trees
2025-03-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Tempe Public Library, 3500 S Rural Rd. Tempe, AZ 85282, 3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, Arizona, 85282, United States
Proper planting is essential to the long-term health of trees. A mistake that seems small now may greatly affect the health of a tree years down the road. Learn from proper tree planting practices from Tempe’s Urban Forestry team.

Chandler: Water Saving Landscape Design
2025-03-26 18:00 - 19:30 | City of Chandler Sunset Library, 4930 W Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ, 85226, United States
For people planning on removing grass, or for those wanting to redesign their landscape. Learn how to design a more coherent landscape from the AZ Plant Lady, Noelle Johnson. She will cover plant choice, design, irrigation and provide inspirational images to help you create a beautiful yard.

Queen Creek: Pruning
2025-03-29 09:00 - 11:00 | Town of Queen Creek Library, 21802 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, United States
Trees and shrubs are the most essential living elements of your landscape. Join us for this free class taught by a local expert and learn the basics of pruning to keep your investments healthy, functional and looking great!
You will learn the art and science of good pruning at this workshop, including:

How to prune young trees for good structure
The five types of pruning and when to use them
How to avoid the two worst pruning mistakes

You will leave this class ready to prune your trees and shrubs confidently and effectively.
This FREE Water-Smart Workshop is open to all Town of Queen Creek water customers. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Peoria: Top Desert Plants that Thrive
2025-03-29 09:30 - 11:00 | Peoria Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ, 85381, United States
Not sure what plants will thrive in the desert heat? Join us as we explore the most remarkable desert plants that not only survive but flourish in the dry Arizona climate. Learn about their unique desert plant adaptations, care tips, and how to best incorporate them into your own yard!

Chandler: Desert Watering Tips for Thriving Landscapes
2025-03-29 09:30 - 11:00 | City of Chandler Nature Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ, 85249, United States
Unsure of how much your plants need? Learn from irrigation expert how much, how often, and how long you should water based on the type of plants within your landscape. This class will help you determine a proper watering schedule and showcase helpful tools.

Queen Creek: ABCs of Landscape Watering
2025-04-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Town of Queen Creek Library, 21802 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, United States
On average, up to 70% of your annual water use is outdoors in landscaping. This free class will give you the tools to water your landscape efficiently in our unique desert environment. You will also get hands-on experience learning how to program an actual controller in class.
This FREE Water-Smart Workshop is open to all Town of Queen Creek water customers. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Queen Creek: Backyard Makeover
2025-04-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Town of Queen Creek Library, 21802 S Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, United States
Ready to turn your backyard into a serene retreat or a haven for kids and pets? Join our free class led by a local expert. Learn simple, practical steps to transform your plain grass yard into a vibrant, water-efficient outdoor sanctuary. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned landscaper, discover valuable insights and fresh ideas to elevate your outdoor space!
This FREE Water-Smart Workshop is open to all Town of Queen Creek water customers. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Peoria: Desert Tree Benefits
2025-04-12 09:30 - 11:00 | Peoria Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ, 85381, United States
Desert trees play a vital role in our ecosystem, from providing shade and cooling to enhancing soil health and supporting local wildlife. Instructed by a certified arborist, discover unique desert trees and how to maximize their beauty and sustainability in your landscape!

Avondale: Hydroponics
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:00 | 399 E. Lower Buckeye Rd.

Tempe: Your Water Use at Your Fingertips
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Tempe Public Library, 3500 S Rural Rd. Tempe, AZ 85282, 3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, Arizona, 85282, United States
Learn about the WaterSmart customer portal, designed to help customers track their water use and monitor for potential leaks. This workshop is designed for Tempe residents with a water utility account.

Chandler: Heat-Resilient Landscapes
2025-04-14 18:00 - 19:30 | City of Chandler Downtown Library, 22 S Delaware St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Rising summer temperatures add additional stress to plants in your garden – and to you! Learn from a respected landscape architect strategies to help your plants become more resilient to hot temperatures. In this workshop, Judy Mielke will share her favorite attractive heat-proof plants and other ways to minimize the effects of the long, hot desert summer.

Glendale: Desert Tree Care
2025-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Glendale Main Library, 5959 W Brown St, Glendale, Arizona, 85302
Desert trees provide us with many benefits, such as cleaning the air, saving energy and water, providing shade and wildlife habitat, and reducing stormwater runoff. Familiarize yourself with proper tree selection, planting, deep watering, basic pruning, and maintenance with Certified Arborist and Manager from Elgin Nursery and Tree Farm, Jonathan Manning.

Peoria: Irrigation Repair and Maintenance
2025-04-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Peoria Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ, 85381, United States
Get your sprinklers and drip emitters flowing this spring by learning how to keep your irrigation system in top shape! Learn the essential tips and tricks for fixing leaks, optimizing efficiency, and ensuring your plants get the water they need to thrive in our desert climate.

Chandler: Growing Cacti/Succulents in the Desert
2025-04-23 18:00 - 19:30 | City of Chandler Sunset Library, 4930 W Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ, 85226, United States
Join us for an insightful workshop with Noelle Johnson, AZ Plant Lady. She will share everything you need to know about choosing and caring for cacti and succulents. Discover which varieties thrive in our conditions, along with simple, effective tips for watering, planting and maintaining these low-water using plants.

Mesa: Heat-Proof Landscaping
2025-05-01 18:00 - 19:30 | Dobson Library, 2425 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ, 85201, United States
Part of Mesa’s Xeriscape Done Right: A Water-Wise Landscaping Series. Join us for Part I of the free workshop series on Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape Landscape Program. Meet our expert, AZ Plant Lady Noelle Johnson, as she discusses how to create a heat-proof landscape. Topics will include identifying the signs of heat stress in plants, practical solutions for reducing reflected heat around your home, and “heat-proof” plants that thrive in extreme temperatures.
Noelle is the author of two gardening books: Dry Climate Gardening: Growing Beautiful, Sustainable Gardens in Low-Water Conditions and The Water-Smart Garden: Techniques and Strategies for Conserving, Capturing, and Efficiently Using Water in Today’s Climate… and Tomorrow’s.
All attendees will have a chance to win one of Noelle’s books or a $50 gift card to a local nursery.

Glendale: Drip Irrigation Basics
2025-05-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Glendale Main Library, 5959 W Brown St, Glendale, Arizona, 85302
Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to water plants in the desert. Learn about the basic components of a drip system, important irrigation controller functions, plant watering depths, and simple repair and troubleshooting tips with Certified Arborist and Manager from Elgin Nursery and Tree Farm, Jonathan Manning.

Buckeye: How Much Should I Water?
2025-05-17 10:30 - 11:30 | 21699 W. Yuma Rd. #116

Tempe: Sustainability in Tempe
2025-05-17 11:00 - 12:00 | Tempe Public Library, 3500 S Rural Rd. Tempe, AZ 85282, 3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, Arizona, 85282, United States
Learn from Tempe’s Sustainability team what Tempe is doing to promote a healthy and sustainable future right here at home.

Goodyear: Ditch the Lawn! Converting to a Low Water-Use Yard
2025-06-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Georgia T Lord Library, 1900 N Civic Sq, Goodyear, 85395, United States

Glendale: Bringing the Rain to Roots
2025-06-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Glendale Main Library, 5959 W Brown St, Glendale, Arizona, 85302
No matter if it’s falling from the sky or running down a driveway, rain is a precious resource in the desert. This special edition of the Green Living Series will dive deeper into the importance of keeping stormwater clean and maximizing the benefits of rain in your landscape.
Agenda:
Stormwater Basics | 5:30 to 6pm | Only rain in the storm drain! Learn about the city’s stormwater system and how we can work together to keep our waterways clean.
Ollas and Rainwater Harvesting | 6 to 7:30pm | Olla irrigation is an ancient and sustainable method of watering plants using unglazed clay pots buried in soil.

Buckeye: Finding Outdoor and Indoor Leaks
2025-07-12 10:30 - 11:30 | 21699 W. Yuma Rd. #116

Virtual SRP Water Conservation Expo
2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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 (limit 1) for $60 plus tax, plus high efficiency spray heads (limit 20) for $2 each plus tax and nozzles (limit 20) for $.50 each plus tax*.
Register today for the virtual 2025 SRP Water Conservation Expo.

Mesa: Hiring a Pro - Finding the Best Contractor for Your Landscaping Project
2025-08-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Mesa Main Library, 64 E 1st Street, Mesa, AZ, 85201, United States
Part of Xeriscape Done Right: A Water-Wise Landscaping Series. Join us for Part II of the free workshop series on Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape Program!
Whether you’re updating your landscape or planning a major home improvement project, this free workshop is designed to help you confidently navigate the contractor process and avoid common missteps. You’ll get expert guidance on:

How to find the right contractor for you
Setting clear expectations and ensuring a smooth project process
What to do if issues arise

Our presenter is Cindy Casaus, assistant director at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, who will share best practices and help you understand your rights as a homeowner. Plus, learn about our new, higher incentives for grass conversion, now up to $2,100 on a future project!
All attendees will have a chance to win a Dry Climate Gardening book by Noelle Johnson or a $50 gift card to a local nursery.
