The Regional Water Authority (RWA) has released the following statement in response to snow survey results announced today by the California Department of Water Resources. "Just a month ago, California's snowpack was well above average. Now, after just one relatively dry January, today's snow survey shows below normal conditions. "California's variable precipitation is a constant threat to our water supplies and an ongoing reminder for all of us to use only the water that we need. "Having enough water is critical to California and our local economy, and water efficiency plays an important role. The Regional Water Authority and local water providers ask residents to use water efficiently

Trained Professionals Help Residents Create Beautiful, Sustainable Landscapes   Top names in the sustainable landscaping industry recently gathered to celebrate new Green Gardener graduates. Green Gardeners are landscape professionals that undergo an intensive, 10-week training course in sustainable, River-Friendly landscaping. During the course, participants learn principles and practices that can help reduce urban runoff and conserve water. "The Green Gardener program is important to the Sacramento region because it trains landscaping professionals to garden responsibly and to protect our resources, especially our waterways," said Debbie Flower, Horticulture Professor at American Riv

Bobby Cary from Woodcreek High School in Roseville has been named the grand prize winner in the Water Spots Video Contest, sponsored by the Regional Water Authority and Sacramento Bee Media in Education program. Cary's video was one of nearly 90 half-minute spots submitted in the first annual contest designed to teach kids about using water efficiently. Celebrity judges narrowed the videos submitted down to 11 finalists, and the public voted Cary's video their favorite. The finalists and grand prize winner were unveiled on Raley Field's Jumbotron before a Sacramento River Cats game. The top three winning students and teachers also received cash prizes. Cary's winning video is now part of

Area residents can get answers to their most vexing landscaping questions and check out beautiful, low-water use plants at "Ask a Green Gardener Day" on Saturday, May 19. May is “Water Awareness Month." To celebrate, the Regional Water Authority and local water providers are partnering with nurseries throughout the Sacramento region to host "Ask a Green Gardener Day." Green Gardeners are landscape professionals that undergo an intensive, 10-week training course in sustainable, River-Friendly landscaping. They include maintenance professionals, contractors, designers, arborists and irrigation experts. During this free event, visitors will have the opportunity to meet qualified Green Gard

SACRAMENTO-- Clever narrative, humor and even some animation--those are some of the ingredients found in the nearly 90 videos submitted in the Water Spots video contest, sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA), Sacramento Bee Media in Education and local water providers. From raps and jingles to serious messages about water scarcity, Sacramento-area high school students showed off their creativity in 30-second public service announcements on outdoor water efficiency. Celebrity judges narrowed the videos down to 11 finalists, now it's the public's turn to vote for their favorite by Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at www.sacbee.com/mie. The finalists and grand prize winner will be unvei

With the recent dry weather and warmer temperatures, Sacramento-area residents might be tempted to ramp up their landscape irrigation. But, the Regional Water Authority and local water providers are recommending restraint. "Plants don't need as much water this time of year, even without rain," said Linda Yager, Regional Water Efficiency Program Manager. Lower temperatures, shorter daylight hours and moisture from fog and rain all combine to reduce the water demands of a typical landscape. Edible gardens and fruit bearing trees have special water requirements, so please consult with a landscape professional or your local Master Gardeners for more information. The Regional Water Authority

Blue Thumb Neighbors (BTN) is offering a special workshop to provide Witter Ranch (Natomas) residents with a hands-on opportunity to apply sustainable landscape practices to a neighbor’s yard. Working with the host, the BTN team will develop an action plan for transforming one ornamental planting area with beautiful, low-water use plants and upgrading sprinkler heads in one turf area. BTN instructors, participants and volunteers will then dig in and implement those plans during the Garden Party. The Garden Party will include both instruction and hands-on application on the following topics: Soil and Soil Amendments: Discuss soil health, use of compost and how the site was prepared Hydr

The Witter Ranch neighborhood in Natomas has been selected to participate in “Blue Thumb Neighbors,” a free program sponsored by the Regional Water Authority and City of Sacramento Department of Utilities. The project will teach residents there how to create healthy, beautiful, River‐Friendly landscapes that compliment their homes and neighborhood. River‐Friendly landscaping is a holistic approach to sustainable landscaping that uses resources, like water, efficiently and incorporates practices that foster soil health, reduce waste and prevent pollution of the air and waterways. Each participating household will receive a free at‐home consultation on efficient watering, sponsored by the

Mulch, drip irrigation kits and rain sensors...What do all of these have in common? They're considered "Top 10 Products for Saving Water at Home" available at your local home improvement store. To celebrate Water Awareness Month in May, local water providers and the Regional Water Authority (RWA) are partnering with Lowe's to showcase products that can help residents use less water. These include WaterSense-labeled toilets and showerheads, rotary sprinkler nozzles, automatic hose timers and more. Water providers will be on hand to discuss these and other products, tips for saving water both inside and outside the home, as well as rebates for replacing water-wasting fixtures with newer m

We've all heard the term "Green Thumb" used to describe someone with a natural skill for gardening. Now there's a new resource for gardeners to help them develop a "Blue Thumb"--a talent for creating a beautiful, water-efficient landscape. In the Blue Thumb blog, local landscape and irrigation experts Cheryl Buckwalter of Landscape Liaisons and Vicky Bartish of EcoLandscape California share their personal and professional insights on topics such as: • Selecting and maintaining high-impact, low-fuss plants appropriate for the Sacramento region • Reading your landscape and making practical design decisions • Matching your irrigation to your soil and plant type Cheryl and Vicky also answer

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) and local water providers kick off their 2011 Blue Thumb Pledge Drive by honoring 11 Sacramento-area residents and organizations as "Blue Thumb Ambassadors." Honorees will be recognized for their dedication to landscape water efficiency this Sunday, April 10, at 12:45 p.m. at the Sacramento River Cats game. Nearly 40 individuals and organizations were nominated by water providers and landscape advisors. Ultimately, 11 were selected because of their passion for using water wisely outdoors and their work as environmental educators, resources for their neighbors and stewards of our local water supplies. "Sometimes it's difficult to appreciate the need for

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) and 19 local water providers today launched a new public education campaign promoting landscape water efficiency in the Sacramento region. The television and radio campaign stars Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Dinger and Grounds Manager Chris Ralston of the Sacramento River Cats, Meteorologist Elissa Lynn of the California Department of Water Resources and six Sacramento-area residents who have earned their “Blue Thumb” by using water efficiently outdoors. The public service campaign focuses on landscape water efficiency because most water use occurs outdoors. With the Sacramento region’s hot, dry climate and long summer season, more than 65 percent of

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is pleased to announce the River-Friendly Landscaping, Green Gardener Training Program. The Green Gardener Training Program is a 10-week series providing high quality training to professionals on how to “garden green.” Attendees will learn landscape principles that can assist in reducing urban runoff, conserving water, and reducing solid waste, including: Conserving water, protecting the soil and reducing the use of pesticides. Many classes will include both indoor and outdoor hands-on components. Creating a healthier garden for your client and a healthier work environment for yourself and your employees. Offering a list of River-Friendly Landscaping