App
Lawn to WildflowersLocated in FL
Pollinator Habitat
The Lawn to Wildflowers app gamifies identifying pollinators by having users become citizen scientists. It also shows interactive wildflower guide maps and information on converting grass to wildflowers
Article
BloombergLocated in Nationwide
Biodiversity
Bloomberg article about Lawn (Re)Disturbance Laboratory — a project by two artists to explore lost plant biodiversity by uncovering dormant seeds underneath turfgrass. It’s part of a larger project (Next Epoch Seed Library) that focuses on collecting seeds in plant-unfriendly places “as a way to research the kinds of tough flora most likely to survive in an ecologically uncertain future.”
Article
Wild Seed ProjectLocated in ME
Biodiversity
“The Wild Seed Project started in 2014 to teach people to appreciate and grow native plan species” in order to restore biodiversity to our landscapes. Started by Heather McCargo in Maine, the Wild Seed Project now offers educational workshops, seeds for sale, and more
Article
Washington Post (by Denver-based writer)Located in CO
Water Savings
“Grass is a water hog. Here’s how to create a drought-tolerant garden” with a list of online resources, tips, and tricks
Article
Southern Nevada Water AuthorityLocated in NV
Meet Regulatory Requirements
The Southern Nevada Water Authority could limit single-family residences to 0.5 acre feet of water per year in times when the Colorado River is experiencing shortages if the Assembly Bill 220 passes
Article
Scientific AmericanLocated in Nationwide
Biodiversity
“Outgrowing the traditional grass lawn” is a first-person narrative article about the benefits of a non-monoculture garden, from pollinator habitat, to water savings, to air and water quality. It also dives into the history of turfgrass lawns and their popularity.
Article
Medium – Sam Westreich, PhDLocated in Nationwide
Biodiversity
In this article, the author explores the “danger of uniformity” with monoculture turfgrass lawns: 1) increased fragility, 2) nutrient drain on soil, 3) requiring constant intervention against nature, 4) damaging to other organisms
Article
PBSLocated in Nationwide
Aesthetics / Neighborhood Beautification
“Municipalities across the country are handing out lawn signs with ‘healthy yard’ bragging rights to homeowners who forgo lawn chemicals or mow less often.”
Brochure
Centennial Water and Sanitation DistrictLocated in CO
General Program Information
A virtual flip-through brochure gives customers many helpful tips on water conservation in their landscaping habits
Brochure
ReScape CaliforniaLocated in CA
General Program Information
ReScape California offers a Rated Landscape Scorecard tool to help project teams evaluable landscapes and implement best practices for regenerative excellence in landscape design, construction, and maintenance practices. The Scorecard applies to new construction of civic, commercial, institutional, and multifamily properties.
Brochure
Moulton Niguel Water DistrictLocated in CA
General Program Information
A brochure for the NatureScape Garden Tour
Brochure
CSU ExtensionLocated in CO
General Program Information
Water conservation in the home fact sheet that gives quick facts about water use in the home, as well as offering tips on how to conserve water that begin with improving lawn irrigation efficiency
Brochure
AWWALocated in Nationwide
General Program Information
A Drought Communications toolkit with helpful tables, information, examples, and frameworks for generating a useful communications plan regarding water use.
Example material: “You’re taking shorter showers. Make sure your plants do too!”
Facebook
Moulton Niguel Water DistrictLocated in CA
Water Savings
NatureScape informational video that explains the process of turf conversion through Moulton Niguel Water District customers – includes the following benefits in addition to water savings: pollinator habitat, avoided cost, general program information
Flier / Poster
Resource CentralLocated in CO
General Program Information
Water bill inserts — flyers that are included in a customer’s monthly water bill — can help advertise rebate or replacement program information. Some customers may have opted for paperless billing, but in that case an email insert can be used instead.
More helpful resources, like drafted text to use in promotion of the program, images, infographics, logos, participant testimonials, etc. are available with a Resource Central partnership
Flier / Poster
Redwood CityLocated in CA
Water Savings
Redwood City holds an annual Water Conservation Poster Contest to engage with kids (K-5th grade) and have them express their understanding of water conservation
Flier / Poster
Southern Nevada Water AuthorityLocated in NV
Meet Regulatory Requirements
A flier made to communicate the seriousness of the new law enacted by Nevada Legislature in 2021 prohibiting the use of Colorado River water delivered by the Water Authority member agencies to irrigate nonfunctional grass (beginning in 2027).
Flier / Poster
Water Use it WiselyLocated in AZ
General Program Information
Good Reasons to Take Out Your Grass poster with easy to read tips for removing turfgrass lawns and facts about water use on turfgrass
Flier / Poster
Little Thompson Water DistrictLocated in CO
General Program Information
An easy to read flier about the turf replacement program
Flier / Poster
Legislative Council StaffLocated in CO
Meet Regulatory Requirements
In response to the ongoing drought, with 2022 being the driest year to date over the past 128 years, the General Assembly passed House Bill 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s water resources by decreasing the amount of irrigated turf within the state
Instagram
Metropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniaLocated in CA
Biodiversity
California Friendly Plants social media campaign to celebrate water-savings plants that are well adapted to a semi-arid climate and encouraged their use in the Turf Replacement Program received some of the highest engagement with a total of 1.5 million impressions and 73,000 visits to bewaterwise.com (the district’s online water conservation portal). Nearly 60% of the traffic to the website came from social media efforts.
Instagram
Aurora WaterLocated in CO
General Program Information
PreK-12 classroom presentations available for Aurora Public Schools
Instagram
Strawberry Fields Garden DesignLocated in MD
Local Jobs
A woman-owned landscape design and installation company shows off ‘no-lawn’ designs and other artistic and native garden options that rarely involve turf
Instagram
SummerDry GardensLocated in CA
Aesthetics / Neighborhood Beautification
SummerDry Gardens shows beautiful images of gardens that do not have turf grass. “Dedicated to gardeners who want to have success in climates where dry summers are not drought — they are normal.”
Instagram
Aurora WaterLocated in CO
Aesthetics / Neighborhood Beautification
The beauty in water-wise landscapes is diverse and interesting
Instagram
Aurora WaterLocated in CO
Pollinator Habitat
A video of a White Lined Sphinx moth submitted by an Aurora resident who converted their lawn to a water-wise landscape
Instagram
Resource CentralLocated in CO
Water Savings
WaterWise yards is a new Instagram account from Resource Central, showing gorgeous photos of non-turf gardens and yards in Colorado as “the new norm”
Newsletter
Metropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniaLocated in CA
Water Savings
Business Wire article about the “multiplier effect” of homes in California converting their yards to water-efficient landscaping and inspiring their neighbors to do the same.
Newsletter
TempeLocated in AZ
Water Savings
Tempe’s Water Conservation Resource Library sends out water conservation news, helpful how-to articles, and important updates through an email newsletter
Online news or magazine
NewsbreakLocated in CO
Avoided Cost
NewsBreak article touting the benefits of Xeriscaping, including pollinator habitat, water and $$ savings
Online news or magazine
The Denver PostLocated in CO
Water Savings
“Cash For Grass” article in the Denver Post explaining new funding passed in Colorado in 2022 for turf replacement
Online news or magazine
Castle RockLocated in CO
General Program Information
Fox31 News article/feature about Castle Rock’s 2022 ordinance limiting new grass lawns and requiring “ColoradoScape” xeriscaping with drought-resistant plants
Online news or magazine
Long Beach Water DepartmentLocated in CA
Water Savings
Long Beach Post News article and video explaining the turf conversion rebate program in Long Beach, highlighting water savings, pollinator habitat, and increasing biodiversity with native CA plants
Website / Blog
Utah WaterLocated in UT
Water Savings
Flip Your Strip aims to get homeowners to convert the strip of grass between sidewalk and curb with water wise landscaping
Website / Blog
Aurora WaterLocated in CO
Aesthetics / Neighborhood Beautification
Water-wise landscape award for Aurora Water customers with front or side yards visible to public
Website / Blog
Into ActionLocated in Nationwide
Water Savings
Into Action Content Library provides free gifs and graphics to use on social media in support of water efficiency and conservation. (Search for ‘water’ in the top tool bar to filter the results)
Website / Blog
WaterHubLocated in Nationwide
General Program Information
How to use memes, gifs, and graphics to help tell your story (relating to water efficiency) in a funny, relatable, and viral way
Website / Blog
Castle Rock WaterLocated in CO
Water Savings
Announcement about rebate program approved for another year with increased rebates for Castle Rock Water Customers
Website / Blog
National Wildlife FederationLocated in Nationwide
General Program Information
Recommendations for other grasses that are suitable for lawns based on the climate you are in, plus some anecdotal and quantitative evidence that conventional turfgrass (primarily Kentucky bluegrass) is harmful to biodiversity and soil/water quality.
Website / Blog
Eco-Logic Permaculture & Landscape DesignLocated in Nationwide
General Program Information
A blog with many topics adjacent to turf conversion and replacement authored by a company that specializes in sustainable landscape design. One of their offerings is to work with customers to cash in on local turf replacement rebate programs
Website / Blog
City of ThorntonLocated in CO
General Program Information
FAQ’s about turf conversion in parks and open spaces in Thornton. i.e. “Will the native/sustainable grasses be irrigated? Will the landscape be attractive? Will the landscape reduce my property value? What type of grasses will I see?”
Website / Blog
Denver WaterLocated in CO
Water Savings
Xeriscape Plans for a variety of different conditions (i.e. sloped garden, narrow strip, year-round, etc.)
Website / Blog
Denver WaterLocated in CO
Water Savings
Water use reports sent out with the water bill that show your household water use in a bar chart and with infographics about how much you’re using compared to an annual goal
Website / Blog
Colorado Conservation Water BoardLocated in CO
General Program Information
The “Turf Basics” from Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), including links to other resources
Website / Blog
Platte Canyon Water and Sanitation DistrictLocated in CO
Wildfire Mitigation
You can minimize the risk of wildfires near your home by planting water-wise and fire-wise landscapes (instead of a grass lawn)
Website / Blog
Southern Nevada Water AuthorityLocated in NV
General Program Information
SNWA’s resource page for all things related to turf conversion: plant lists, water wise contractors, FAQ, benefits, information on their rebate program, etc.
Website / Blog
Resource CentralLocated in CO
General Program Information
“Your inspiration hub for Colorado landscaping” with videos, photos real-life examples of water wise yards in Colorado, and resources for interested parties
Website / Blog
Fort CollinsLocated in CO
General Program Information
Recommended plant list provided by Fort Collins with filters like nativity, dimensions, growth form, water requirements, leaf or flower color, and more
Website / Blog
Fort CollinsLocated in CO
General Program Information
A self-guided tour showing resilient non-turf landscapes in Fort Collins that participated in the Nature in the City or Xeriscape Incentive Program (or both)
Website / Blog
Lawn to WildflowersLocated in FL
Pollinator Habitat
Lawn to Wildflowers aims to 1) inspire people to convert grass lawns to native wildflowers across the country 2) teach people how to identify pollinators through interactive online and mobile app tools and 3) enlist the public to collect data on pollinators to better understand their decline/overall health
YouTube
Moulton Niguel Water DistrictLocated in CA
General Program Information
Ecosystem benefits summary with actual customers of the NatureScape program
YouTube
Ecological Landscape AllianceLocated in Nationwide
Biodiversity
“Kill Your Lawn and Opt for More Biodiversity” 1 hour webinar led by Mark Richardson from the New England Wild Flower Society.
YouTube
CSU ExtensionLocated in CO
Biodiversity
Native lawn webinar for Colorado homeowners by Tony Koski with CSU Extension
YouTube
Aurora Water/Aurora TVLocated in CO
Meet Regulatory Requirements
2 minute video explaining why Aurora passed new ordinance banning nonfunctional turf
YouTube
Lawn to WildflowersLocated in FL
Pollinator Habitat
A video explaining how to convert grass lawns to wildflower habitats on a budget and DIY
YouTube
City of GreeleyLocated in CO
General Program Information
Landscape Lecture Series about Life After Lawn turf replacement rebate program
