With the hot weather still upon us here are some tips to reduce your water bill:
By: Lauren Rauschenberg
With sustainable landscaping practices:
- Reduce your water use
- Use native & drought-tolerant plants
- Attract birds & butterflies
- Use–Don’t lose your rainwater
- Use non-toxic pest & weed control
- Reduce your fire risk ecologically
- Learn to grow food
Contact the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains at 818.597.8627 or Email Keep Your Green .
The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD) is now providing on-site consultations for home and business owners on how to save water, money and improve water quality by initiating sustainable landscaping solutions on their property. “Keep Your Green” refers to the money (“green”) saved through a reduced water bill and (green) climate-appropriate plants. The home consultation model is a perfect fit with the RCD’s long-term commitment toward soil and water conservation, water quality protection, erosion control, oak health, fire-safe landscaping and native habitat restoration.
RCD Conservation Biologists, trained in Sustainable Landscaping, Habitat Restoration and Permaculture Design are currently conducting these timely consultations. The idea for RCD home consultations arose from the many site-specific questions and concerns from local residents who needed to meet their reduced water budget allocations from local jurisdictions. Many folks also felt the need for a site-specific evaluation of what sustainable landscape solutions work best for their yard, slope, soil, shade/sun, trees etc. These practices may include planting native and climate-appropriate plants for water conservation and habitat value, downspout re-directs, rain gardens, and rainwater storage with cisterns and rain barrels. Some of these solutions can be implemented by homeowners or their gardeners. For professional assistance, the RCD can provide a list of Sustainable Landscape Professionals.
The RCD is not funded to provide this service, so there is a fee of $175 for a 90 minute consultation.
