The Native Approach To Water Conservation

Native plants are increasingly being favored by cities to reduce the amount of water they use.

1 minute read

April 20, 2007, 5:00 AM PDT

"Native plants are emerging as the new heroes in a growing struggle to deal with climate change."

"In Denver, where the water-conserving landscape movement known as xeriscaping was launched in 1981, one of the first efforts in the city's sustainability program saw the Mile High Youth Corps replanting large areas of lawn with flower beds of drought-tolerant native plants at Denver's City and County Building and in front of three area recreation centers."

The city's Greenprint program sets environmental standards and forces city agencies to utilize energy-saving devices and designs.

"The program's goals include conserving water, reducing greenhouse emissions, using renewable energy, reducing waste, promoting mass transit, and increasing the amount of 'green' housing that's affordable."

"In Kansas City, rain gardens are strategically placed in low spots in the landscape and designed to catch and hold rainwater, preventing it from running off the site."

FULL STORY: Going native with plants: A new-old direction for water conservation

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in The Christian Science Monitor

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