Here is a juicy secret: The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) will give you money for taking out your grass lawns. It sounds too good to be true, but it's true. You can create a beautiful water-sip
California’s recent rainstorms
From December 26 to January 17, the Bay Area and entire state of California have seen massive rains from 9 atmospheric rivers. These storms have resulted in at least 20 deaths, 30K+ evacuations, and cause
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The average U.S. household uses 300 gallons of water daily, with about 30% going to lawns and gardens. In hot, dry areas like the Bay Area, the percentage of household water that is used outdoors is well over 50%. This varies widely by region and ty
On September 23 of this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 24 bills dedicating $15 billion to meeting the current and future challenges of Global Climate Change in California. That’s scary; that much legislation all at the same time. Imagi
Did you know that in California, we use an average of 30-60% of our water outdoors? Cutting water use in the yard or garden has the potential to make a big impact on your overall water use. For this year’s Community Resilience Challenge, consider mak
Read more…Last month we witnessed the devastating impacts of fire that was fueled by years of drought and a recent welcomed (but dangerous) rainy season. It seems counter-intuitive that we’d see an increased fire danger after a rainy 2016-2017, but there’s a
Read more…By converting your lawn into a garden, you’ll save water and can create a beautiful habitat. Plus, there are rebate programs available to help with the process! Most lawn rebate programs require an application before starting the lawn conversion pro
Read more…Spring is on the horizon! Was this winter particularly ravaging on your landscaping? Did you add "replace dead plants or grass" to your to-do list?
California’s mandatory drought restrictions have been lifted, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop water conservation efforts. According to the State Water Board, approximately 60% of California still remains in a severe drought. Continuing conse
Come to our Hands-on Rainwater Harvesting Workshop on December 12th!
Save water by capturing the rain that falls on your own roof! Participants will learn by installing a rain barrel system in a Walnut Creek backyard. You'll get info about sizing you
Read more…Sheet mulching is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to convert your lawn or underwhelming yard into a beautiful, nutrient-dense, no-hassle garden bed without digging up your yard. Even better? You probably already have enough to get started
Read more…Ahhhh, the smell of much-needed rain, the crunching of leaves beneath our feet and cozying up with our loved ones- Fall is fast approaching us here in Contra Costa County! Take advantage of our sustainable living workshops, dedicated to arming you wi
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The hottest months of the year are upon us! With recent increases on water costs due to the severity of the drought, every little drop you save counts. While there are larger water-saving projects you can take on this summer, such as setting up rai
Read more…The drought situation in California is at the forefront of many minds – snowpack levels are at record lows, you’ve probably seen pictures of greatly diminished reservoirs, and if you haven’t got a brown lawn yourself, at least someone on your block d
July's Action of the Month: Know Your Home Water Use
All this talk about drought and water conservation can often feel abstract. Suggestions include taking shorter showers, not washing your car, and so on. But if you really want to cut back on water
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