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Rainwater Harvesting

May 2, 2017 by Stephanie Hendrickson

Cistern DSC_3303

Rainwater harvesting is an alternate water supply and stormwater management approach anyone can use. Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts, and stores rainwater for later use. You can collect rainwater in a large cistern, tank or barrel.

Implementing rainwater harvesting is beneficial because it reduces demand on existing water supply, and reduces run-off, erosion, and contamination of surface water. Rainwater harvesting can reduce the amount of drinking water used for landscape irrigation. Continue Reading »

Posted in stormwater, watersmart, WaterSmart Landscapes | Leave a Comment »

WaterSmart Landscape Examples

April 4, 2017 by Stephanie Hendrickson

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

A WaterSmart landscapes focuses on three main principles: conserving water, improving water quality and providing habitat for wildlife. This is achieved by using native and adapted plants, using little to no fertilizers and pesticides, utilizing less water and requiring less maintenance. There are many different types of WaterSmart landscape options for you to choose from to implement in your yard. Many of your local parks have WaterSmart gardens for you to look at for inspiration. Some of these landscape inspirations may include: rain gardens, native plants, rainwater harvesting systems, vegetated buffers, and permeable walkways and driveways. Continue Reading »

Posted in environmentally friendly landscaping, native plants, rain garden, watersmart, WaterSmart Landscapes | Leave a Comment »

Find your hat and water bottle–it’s time to plant the wetlands at Exploration Green

March 23, 2017 by Mary Carol Edwards

Now that the trees have been planted and the growing season is revving up, it’s the best time to plant wetland plants along the shores of the new lake section. The public is invited to wade in and plant on four Saturdays, April 15 and 29, and May 13 and 27, from 9am to 12pm. Native species will be planted in the shallow margins, providing habitat to water birds, and natural cleansing of stormwater runoff. Wear shoes and clothes that can get muddy, sun protection, and bring a water bottle. All tools and instruction will be provided. Children 12 and up are welcome with their families.

Exploration Green is in Clear Lake City, in the Bay Area. Park along the street and enter the park at 1800 Reseda. See you there!

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Fun Facts About Mulching

March 2, 2017 by Stephanie Hendrickson

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Mulch is a material spread on top of the ground to benefit soil and plant health, and make landscape maintenance easier. Wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, wood shavings, and compost all make good mulches.

Mulching Benefits:

  • Prevents soil compaction and erosion
  • Suppresses weeds
  • Captures and retains soil moisture
  • Protects roots from the sun’s heat
  • Protects plant crowns from winter cold
  • Protects and stimulates microbial activity in the soil
  • Adds nutrients to the soil as they break down Continue Reading »

Posted in environmentally friendly landscaping, Uncategorized, watersmart, WaterSmart Landscapes | 1 Comment »

March 4: Managing Our Stormwater, from Gutter to Gator

February 13, 2017 by Mary Carol Edwards

Learn about natural tecalligator-09_smallhniques for cleansing and conserving stormwater for humans and wildlife, at any scale–backyard to campus to region. Our bayous and bays are greatly impacted by the quality of the stormwater flowing into them, and now is a great time to start improving it with practices we can implement at home, at school, or beyond.

The workshop is open to everyone, with particular focus on educators. TCWP demonstrates many years of partnering with schools and educators to produce innovative sites with a positive impact on water quality and wildlife.

Join us on Saturday, March 4, in a beautiful setting–the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory‘s new LEED-certified building in Lake Jackson, TX. Continue Reading »

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