LADWP Unveils Demonstration Gardens and Launches New Landscape Academy

“We’re proud to unveil our demonstration gardens today and showcase how beautiful drought tolerant planting can be,” Marty Adams, LADWP Senior Assistant General Manager of Water, said.  “We encourage others to follow our lead by providing rebates and resources on our website and educating the public on proper planning techniques through our landscaping academy, LAOLA.”

LAOLA offers a variety of workshops to help Angelenos replace turf with California Friendly® landscape and improve irrigation efficiency. Available to customers and landscape professionals, LAOLA courses cover a variety of beginner, intermediate and advanced topics such as turf removal, California Friendly® plants, water efficient irrigation, stormwater harvesting, groundwater infiltration, and fostering a healthy soil structure.

“With summer approaching and no end to the drought in sight, our efforts to conserve water are more critical than ever,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Millions have answered the call to Save the Drop by replacing thirsty lawns with drought-tolerant gardens. Now, the Los Angeles Outdoor Landscaping Academy is making it even easier for Angelenos to dig in, roll up their sleeves and make a difference in their own backyards.”

At the event LADWP landscape operations staff was presented with a certificate of appreciation for their hard work on the gardens. Members of the LADWP Landscape Operations team have successfully completed the LAOLA advanced course, Watershed Wise Landscape Professional Workshop, and are eligible to obtain a US Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense professional certification.

On behalf of the Landscape Operations team, Carlos Gomez, LADWP Field Operations Superintendent said, “It’s my pleasure to accept this honor on behalf of our dedicated crew. We have a great team who beautify LADWP facilities citywide with water saving landscapes that enhance communities and serve as examples of the types of landscapes that can help our customers save water and money.”

The demonstration gardens outside LADWP headquarters feature two separate landscaping options, Mediterranean and desert. They are open to the public and feature plant identifying markers with QR codes to explain more about the plants and encourage the public to purchase some of their own.

By reintroducing California native plants to the local landscape, residents can expect both economic and environmental benefits. Some of these include:

• Reduced water use and thus, lower water bills
• Attractive, low-maintenance plants
• Less plant disease and more pest resistance
• Deeper roots help to stabilize slopes
• More groundwater recharge
• Less polluted runoff flowing to the ocean

To learn more about the garden and the benefits of California Friendly plants, visit our website www.ladwp.com/jfbgarden. For more information on LAOLA, visit www.LADWP.com/LAOLA.

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