Tip 1: Save Water Save Money – Also Learn About the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

View a Map of Affected Areas
Local News Coverage
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 03/15/11
DiamondBarPatch, 03/15/11
Los Angeles Times, 03/15/11
Los Angeles Daily News, 03/15/11
Pasadena Star-News, 03/02/11
altadenablog, 02/28/11
San Gabriel Foothills Examiner, 2/28/11
San Gabriel Valley Tribune, 01/18/11

Shutdown Update, March 21, 2011

More Information

Many cities and communities have drought or water conservation ordinances in place that govern such things as day and frequency of landscape watering and prohibited use of water (e.g. to clean home driveways). These ordinances vary from city to city, and county to county, so always check with your local government agency for the latest information. Don’t know who your local water agency is? Find your member agency by entering your zip code below.

In addition to drought ordinances, as of January 1, 2010, all California cities and counties must have adopted water efficient landscape ordinances governing water use in new and existing landscapes.

For general information about the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 1881, Laird), which required cities, counties and charter cities and charter counties, to adopt landscape water conservation ordinances by January 1, 2010, please visit:
California Department of Water Resources Updated Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (statewide)

For More Information also see: Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

California Code of Regulations

Title 23. Waters

Division 2. Department of Water Resources

Chapter 2.7. Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

490.1 Applicability

(a) After January 1, 2010, this ordinance shall apply to all of the following landscape projects:

(1) new construction and rehabilitated landscapes for public agency projects and private development

projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or

landscape permit, plan check or design review;

(2) new construction and rehabilitated landscapes which are developer-installed in single-family and

multi-family projects with a landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a

building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review;

(3) new construction landscapes which are homeowner-provided and/or homeowner-hired in singlefamily

and multi-family residential projects with a total project landscape area equal to or greater than

5,000 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review;

Excerpt from see this for more information:http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/MWELO09-10-09.pdf

Also see: http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/landscapeordinance/

 

 

Beautify Your Home Garden on a Budget – National Conservation Effort Focuses on Backyards

Bringing conservation from the countryside to your backyard

Just as they do on the farm, conservation practices on nonagricultural land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality, inspire a stewardship ethic, and beautify the landscape.

“Backyard Conservation” shows you how conservation practices that help conserve and improve natural resources on agricultural land across the country can be adapted for use around your home. These practices help the environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable. Most backyard conservation practices are easy to use. America’s farmers and ranchers have been using these practices successfully for decades.

Whether you have rural acreage, a suburban yard, or a city lot, you can help protect the environment and add beauty and interest to your surroundings. Ten conservation practices have been scaled down for homeowners. Tip sheets offer “how to” steps and helpful hints:

The tip sheets and a colorful 28-page booklet on Backyard Conservation are available free by calling 1-888-LANDCARE (single copies only), emailing landcare@usda.gov, or visiting theNRCS publications web site.  Download the publication in English or en Español. See More Tips and Topics on Backyard Conservation

“Backyard Conservation” is a cooperative project of the National Association of Conservation Districts , the Wildlife Habitat Council , the National Audubon Society, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Backyard Conservation Lesson Plans
A series of lesson plans to teach students about Backyard Conservation through hands-on studies that promote field investigation and action.  Lesson plans are available for elementary grades 3 to 5, middle school grades 6 to 8, and high school grades 9 to 12.

See sample news releases and features on Backyard Conservation.

Excerpt from: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/

 

 

This Winter Keep the Heat Indoors with Five Easy Energy Star Tips

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

With winter quickly approaching, U.S. homeowners are looking for ways to heat their homes while reducing their energy bills to save money. Five easy energy saving tips can help keep families warm while keeping money in their wallets. The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. In addition to saving money, reducing energy use at home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight climate change.

Heat Smartly With ENERGY STAR

Winter is almost here and homeowners are looking for ways to heat their homes without breaking the bank on energy bills.  The average family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with equipment that’s earned the ENERGY STAR can cut your annual energy bill by more than $200.  In addition to saving money, reducing energy use at home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help fight climate change.

ENERGY STAR offers the following five tips to help you save money on heating bills, keep your home comfortable, and protect the environment:

1. Assess your home @ energystar.gov. Start with the Home Energy Yardstick to see how your home’s energy use measures up compared to similar homes across the country. Then, use our Home Energy Advisor to get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements for typical homes in your area.
2. Seal air leaks in your home. Sealing air leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a significant impact on improving your comfort and reducing energy bills. If you are adding insulation to your home, be sure to seal air leaks first, to ensure you get the best performance from your insulation.
3. Maintain heating equipment. Dirt and neglect are the number one causes of heating system failure. Maintain heating equipment by checking your system’s air filter every month and changing it if it is dirty. At a minimum, change your filter every 3 months. Also, schedule pre-season checkups of your equipment with a licensed contractor to make sure your system is operating at peak performance.
4. Use a programmable thermostat. Regulate your home’s temperature while you’re away or asleep by using one of the convenient pre-programmed settings on a programmable thermostat. When used properly, programmable thermostats can save you up to $180 every year in energy costs.
5. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products. Whether you are replacing light bulbs or appliances in your home, ENERGY STAR qualified products can help you save energy and reduce energy bills. The label can be found on more than 60 types of products ranging from heating and cooling equipment to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Also, look to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for advice on other ways you can save at home such as using power strips as a central ‘turn-off’ point for electronics and office equipment, making sure computers  and monitors are “powered down” when not in use and reversing the blade rotation on ceiling fans to help spread warm air around a room.

If every American household serviced their heating and cooling systems, changed their air filters, sealed and insulated heating and cooling ducts in unfinished areas, and programmed their thermostats for energy savings while they are away or asleep, we would save $14 billion in annual energy costs and prevent more than 160 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to the emissions from 14 million cars.

Excerpt from: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home

 

 

 

FREE Non Residential Trees for a Green LA

Million Trees LA Program

http://www.milliontreesla.org/mtabout.htm

Notice: Effective January 1, 2011, the Trees for a Green LA will discontinue its tree planting program. Los Angeles residents who would like to receive FREE trees may contact the Bureau of Public Works of the City of Los Angeles Tree Program at (323) 664-9196, or www.milliontreesla.org.

FREE Non-Residential Shade Trees

LADWP non-residential and multi-family common area customers can receive FREE shade trees through the Non-Residential Trees for a Green LA (NRTFGLA) Program in partnership with Million Trees LA. Follow these simple steps to enjoy the benefits of cool natural shade, energy efficiency, and clean air: 

 

1. Complete an online workshop and receive a Certificate of Completion or certify that a Professional Landscape Contractor will be planting and maintaining the trees. 

 

2. Submit your completed tree application, site plan and, if necessary, the “Certificate of Completion” to LADWP. 

 

3. LADWP will deliver the trees to your facility; you or a professional landscaper will then plant and care for the tree(s).

Note: You must be an electric customer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to receive free shade trees.

Workshop

To receive your FREE shade trees, you may complete the online workshop. Please click on the Online Workshop link below: 

 

Online Workshop (Approximately 20 minutes)

Or IF YOU HAVE A Professional Landscape Contractor

Click here to download an application

More Information

For more information please see the LADWP Home Tree Guide (PDF format).

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call 1-800-GreenLA (800-473-3652) and select Non-Residential Trees for a Green LA or email us atNon-Residential Tree Program at Tree.Program@ladwp.com.

 

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