Home Water Conservation: Rain Gardens, Drought Tolerant Plants, Green Building & Low Impact Development
Fact Sheets: Water Conservation in Your Own Backyard
Water is a valuable resource in Southern California. It is important that rainwater is captured and allowed to soak into the ground where it can water plants and replenish groundwater supplies. Help conserve water and prevent polluted stormwater runoff through wise gardening and land-use practices. The "Green Flyers" below provide helpful information on "green" practices useful for Southern California residents. Selecting the title will take you to the California Sea Grant publication download area.
- Composting
- Drought Tolerant Plants
- Rain Gardens
- Permeable Paving
- Graywater Systems
- Swales Reduce Runoff
- Alternative Driveway Design
- Porous Pavement Reduces Surface Runoff
- Natural Landscaping Reduces Runoff
- Saving and Amending Topsoil
- Tree Cover Provides Multiple Benefits
Rain that falls on hard surfaces, such as buildings and asphalt, picks up pollutants as it flows. This "stormwater" is then directed to storm drains and ultimately ends up polluting streams and oceans. Individuals can help conserve water and prevent polluted stormwater runoff through wise land-use practices.
- Low Impact Development Info Sheet
Emergency Services and Storm Water Management, Timothy Lawrence, Ph.D., California Sea Grant and Monique Myers, D.Env., California Sea Grant Extension.
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Principal Investigators
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)