Color Galore

Spring is the perfect time to transform your yard into an Always Water Smart landscape and Irvine Ranch Water District can help.

“Landscape water use can account for up to 70 percent of residential water use, with nearly half of this water being wasted through overwatering, runoff and evaporation,” said Nathan Adams, IRWD Water Efficiency Analyst.

By planting a water-efficient landscape, residents can reduce their water bills and have a healthier and attractive landscape.

There’s no need to constrain your landscape to a patch of grass when there are an abundance of water-efficient plants with lots of textures and colors. Native plants are well-suited to southern California’s mild winters and warm, dry summers. They’re less maintenance, use little water and don’t need soil preparation or fertilizing.

If you’re ready to make this transition but are uncertain about what types of plants to use and how to design an Always Water Smart landscape, we are here to help. IRWD has assembled a comprehensive online landscape and plant resource guide. At www.irwdcalscape.org, visitors can create their own water-efficient landscape by selecting plants based on season, color, height range and other options. Visitors can also receive information on design, landscape rebates, irrigation schedules and much more.

Here are some general design recommendations to assist in transforming your landscape:

• Less is more in planting design. Complex designs require more maintenance. Limit the number of plant species and create well-defined planted areas by not scattering plants throughout open areas.
• Consider how much lawn you would like or need. Plant lawn where it will be enjoyed, or forego it altogether and consider lawn alternatives, such as ground covers, decks or patios. Grass is the highest water-consuming plant in the garden.
• If you enjoy seasonal color, consider container gardens with lush and low-maintenance ornamentals, grasses or succulents.
• Look for plants with the same water needs and group these together to maximize water use and allow for better plant health.
• A year-round evergreen garden can be achieved with low-maintenance ground covers such as dymondia, rosemary or star jasmine.

Show Features IRWD 2012 Poster Winner

The 2013 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Student Art Exhibit is making its way to the Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters office at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine and will  feature the winning art work of Ben Zolner, a Lake Forest Elementary School sixth grader.

Ben’s art work and the other 35 winning posters will be displayed in the IRWD lobby and available for public viewing April 2-9 during regular business hours:  8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“Art work from schools all over the region was entered into the 2012 ‘Water is Life’ poster contest sponsored by Metropolitan,” said Shannon Reed, IRWD Public Affairs Manager. “Ben was one of the finalists whose art work was chosen for honors.”

The students, their parents and teachers were invited to a ceremony at Metropolitan’s Los Angeles office in December. The winning art work was framed and on display in the building’s rotunda. Winning posters were published in the 2013 Water is Life calendar.

The traveling art show began in January at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency in Riverside County and will conclude in July in Ventura County. Ben will be honored at a future IRWD board meeting and be presented with his winning art work.

More information about IRWD education programs is available on our website.

IRWD Presents for 17th Consecutive Year

More than 400 third through fifth grade students were able to “Get the Groundwater Picture” at the Irvine Ranch Water District’s activity during the annual Children’s Water Education Festival.

“Because of the larger venue this year at UC Irvine, more students than ever were able to experience this fun and educational event,” said Shannon Reed, IRWD Public Affairs Manager.

A total of 782 students from the IRWD service area attended the two-day event held March 27-28.  More than 7,000 students from all over Orange County participated. This was the first time this event has been held at UCI. The Aldrich Park setting provided a “back to nature” ambience.

The event had been held at the Nixon Library and Birthplace for the previous four years and previously, at the Hidden Valley Event Center in Irvine behind the former Wild Rivers location.

For more information on IRWD educational programs, please visit our website.

Three Family Events This Weekend

Earth Day’s official date is Monday, April 22, but many events will take place all over this weekend. As environmental stewards, IRWD will participate in three events:

Earth Day in Bommer Canyon

Saturday, April 20 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Earth Day in Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp.  Bommer Canyon is part of the city of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve. The Cattle Camp if a former ranching hub that has been transformed into an outdoor event center. The camp is about a mile in from the Bommer Canyon Trailhead and is accessible from Shade Canyon Road via Bommer Canyon Road.

Join IRWD and other community organizations in celebrating Earth Day and Wilderness Access Day. Enjoy activities, give-aways and games with an environmental message.  Admission is free. As a reminder, pets and smoking are not allowed in this sensitive wilderness area.

Shadetree Partnership Nursery Event

Shadetree Partnership in conjunction with IRWD operates a nursery containing trees, shrubs and groundcover and holds monthly volunteer efforts to nurture, maintain, upsize and grow stock materials for planting in the community. Saturday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m. until noon, join us to celebrate Earth Day 2013. The event is free.

The nursery is located on the UC Irvine campus, cross streets California and Anteater Recreation Center. Volunteer groups or individuals may also “Adopt a Row” and/or become a docent to assist with our continued efforts. Shadetree’s trees, shrubs, and groundcover are donated to sites which have unfettered public access to the community, such as schools, parks, greenbelts, and homeowner associations.  The public may fill out an application for trees where they will visit the nursery, tag trees, and then schedule stock for pick-up.  Shadetree will also loan out shovels and buckets for planting efforts.

Earth Day at the Bay 2013

 IRWD will have an activity at the annual Earth Day at the Bay event on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m.  at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center.  There is no charge to participate in the fun.

 Enjoy environmental exhibits, face painting, nature scavenger hunts, opportunity drawings, live music and more. Bring a refillable water bottle. Food will be available from a variety of food trucks.

 Stop by the IRWD booth and make a conservation keychain. The Muth Center is located at 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach.

 For more information on IRWD environmental programs, please visit our website.