What is your idea of a nice landscape? Most gardens and green spaces in Central California still follow the old model of turf grass and high water use plants. Pair this with on old irrigation system that has low-water efficiency and you have high water consumption and high maintenance landscapes. 

Did you know that traditional turf maintained by an average, 50% efficient irrigation system needs ten feet of water a year to stay green? A whole lot of valuable water in an area with generally low precipitation rates, which is parched by drought and where the biggest industry is water dependent. Time for a change!

During USGBC-CC’s November workshop “Step-By-Step to Water Wise Landscaping” Brad Greenbury and David Bigelow provided an overview over California appropriate landscaping and efficient irrigation systems. Brad and David are two local experts on water wise gardens with a combined experience of 45 years in converting traditional landscapes to water wise landscapes. Find the ppt of the workshop here and a list of water wise plants here.