Landscape Conservation in Non-crisis Times: Some Innovative Strategies from Colorado

摘要

Population continues to grow in semi-arid Colorado, and so does irrigation water use. Outdoor water use, although seasonal, is the most discretionary use and thus has been the target for severe reductions in many cities and town across the nation as a crisis response tool. Some water providers are depending upon water savings in lawn sprinkling techniques to provide the supplies to meet population growth as well as in-stream flow and water quality requirements. Sever reductions in outdoor water use can decrease water utilities' revenue and damage the local economy as well as the local landscapes.rnRather than responding to crises like drought or pump failures, Coloradans have looked ahead and planned for the long term. Water providers (the "blue" industry) have formed alliances with the landscape professionals (the "green" industry) and come up with alternative, non-crisis-oriented solutions. Green and blue industry professionals have documented water savings and made plans for even more savings. Among their solutions are new high-tech sprinkler controllers based on ET or humidity, new turf grasses needing less irrigation, best industry practices for irrigation and interactive web site for customers giving minutes of irrigation needed for each sprinkler and plant type, involvement of both blue and green industries in planning for future water supplies, and jointly-produced education and informational materials. The Colorado WaterWise Council and Green Industries of Colorado are the blue and green industries, respectively, who have pioneered these solutions.rnThis session will explain both the process and the outcomes of this alliance so other states or regions can build on what Colorado has done, with a heavy focus on best industry practices for irrigation. The discussion will include what worked, what did not work, and what plans are being considered for the future. The presenters will ask for audience suggestions and feedback. After all, plants and soils don't save water; people save water by the methods they choose to apply water to the landscape, either by themselves, or by the directives they give to their landscape professionals.