Students Get Questions Answered at Ask-A-Scientist Night
Students are gearing up for the annual Irvine Unified School District science fair, which takes place on February 25, 2014. Ask-a-Scientist Night gives the students a kick-start on their projects, especially if they need a little extra help.
Irvine Ranch Water District engineers and water quality experts have participated in this event since its inception more than 20 years ago. More than30 curiousity filled students with questions filed through the “Water and Earth Science” room at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School the evening of October 16.
Joining other science and engineering professionals in talking to students were Mike Hoolihan, IRWD Principal Engineer, Alex Murphy, assistant engineer, and John Hills, IRWD’s retired Director of Water Quality.
For more information on our educational programs, please visit our website.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Fall is a Great Time to Visit the Marsh
When was the last time you visited the Irvine Ranch Water District’s San Joaquin Marsh? There is no better time than the present to visit this best kept secret in Irvine.
The Marsh is a reconstructed wetlands designed to clean urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay. Besides enhancing water quality, the Marsh provides a home to some 230 species of birds and other wildlife in a park-like setting.
Additionally, the Marsh contains 12 miles of meandering hiking trails on 320 acres and is open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. Best of all, the Marsh is free.
Visitors are encourages to bring binoculars for bird watching. But there are other animals that might be seen, such as bobcats, rabbits, squirrels, field mice and rats. The small rodent population is kept in check by the predatory animals and birds of prey.
The Marsh is located off Campus Drive near University Drive, on Riparian View. Follow Riparian View to the end of the pavement and into the parking lot.
For more information on the Marsh, please visit our website.
IRWD Blood Drive Scheduled October 16
Irvine Ranch Water District is holding a blood drive on October 16 and the public is invited to participate.
The drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the District’s headquarters, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.
Please contact Veronica Robles at (949) 453-5436 to schedule an appointment, which are available every 20 minutes. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis. Walk ins are also welcome.
IRWD has hosted blood drives for more than 20 years. In addition to the Red Cross, UCI Medical Center has also been a partner.
Some advice before donating:
- Hydrate – be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.
- Wear something comfortable. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.
- Maintain a healthy level of iron in your diet before donating. If possible, include iron-rich foods in your diet, especially in the days before your donation.
- Bring a list of the medications you are taking, whether they are prescription or over the counter.
- Bring your identification. This may either be a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification.
More information is available on the Red Cross website.
IRWD and Extension Collaborate on Landscape Open House
The annual Residential Demonstration Landscape Open House and Vendor Fair is set for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine. The facility is located at 7601 Irvine Boulevard. This is the fifth consecutive year that UC Extension and Irvine Ranch Water District cooperated on this event.
Included in the daylong event are guided garden walks, discussions about gardening and irrigation practices, and plant sales. Fifty percent of all household water use is in the yard, so residents can find out how to cut back on watering and save money.
There is no charge for admission to this event. Here is a sampling of what customers can expect at the Open House:
- A discussion about edible landscaping
- Home ant control, easy as 1,2,3
- Irrigation product information
- A demonstration on self-watering vegetable garden containers
- Composting – learn how to turn yard waste into black gold
- Children’s activity – planting seeds
- Sample varieties of fruit grown at the South Coast Research and Extension Center
- Free tool sharpening by OC Blacksmiths
- Random opportunities throughout the day
Visit the South Coast Research and Extension Center website, or contact Tammy Majcherek at (949) 733-3970 for more information.
Thinking of Renovating Your Garden?
California appropriate plants are perfectly suited for our mild winters and warm, dry summers.
They are low maintenance, use little water and don’t need soil preparation or fertilizing.
Visit www.IRWDcalscape.org for a one-stop shop with garden tours, garden galleries, a searchable plant database and a garden resources section.
You can also take a tour of two dozen CALscape gardens found throughout the IRWD service area. If you are looking for even more of an incentive to renovate your garden, you may receive up to $1 per square foot of grass removed with our turf removal rebate program. Visit our website, or contact the Water Use Efficiency Department at 949-453-5581.
