With water being a limited resource, xeriscape landscaping offers a way for individuals to cut down on water use outdoors.

1. WATER: A LIMITED RESOURCE
A Move to More Natural and Drought Resistant Lawns

2. Water: A Basic Necessity
• Water is a basic necessity for life; however, our rapid use of it is leading us to a
dangerous situation in the future since it not an easily renewed resource.
• This a huge problem globally, but we are beginning to see a greater issue with water
access in our region as well.
• The global water crisis is centered on being able to provide individuals with access to
potable water.
• While the access to potable water is not the leading water issue in our area, there are
some areas locally, such as Porterville, CA, where this has become a very real problem
as the wells the population is dependent on have dried out.

3. California’s Drought
• California has been in a drought for several years, so
the already dry state is facing many water shortages.
• The Central Valley, as is much of the state, is reliant
on a heavy snow pack to replenish surface water
sources.
• With rainfall and snowfall at an all-time low, the
state of California has become reliant on
groundwater. It has become the source of 65% of
the freshwater used.
• Groundwater is not easily renewed, and the current
rate of withdrawal is quickly depleting the existing
aquifers. This is also creating a problem of land
subsidence.

4. Decreasing Water Usage
• In April 2015, Governor Jerry Brown issued a mandate to cut water use in the state by 25%. This
mandate mostly targets individual and urban use of water, but does not include agriculture.
• One way that individuals can significantly decrease their water use is by replacing their green
lawns with more drought tolerant lawns.
• Outdoor water use varies throughout the state due to the various ecosystems in the state;
however, drier parts of the state, such as the Central Valley, tend to use more of their water in
outdoor use.
• Estimates range from 30-60% of water use is outdoors, based on location in the state.

5. Xeriscaping
• Xeriscape is a method of landscaping used in drier
environments that is less reliant on irrigation. It is a
method most appropriate for regions where less
water is available and areas facing a drought.
• Xeriscaping faces a big pushback from social
norms that expect houses to come with big, green
lawns. Americans continue to be intrigued by the
green lawn, even when it is not natural to the
region. This is common in the Central Valley, that is
a hot and dry region that is not well-suited for
grass lawns that require lots of watering.

6. Government Rebates
• The government is also pushing for xeriscaping and drought resistant landscaping as a solution
to decreasing water usage in the state.
• California has begun a rebate program, known as the California 2015 Turf Replacement
Initiative, which promotes homeowners to eliminate grass from their landscapes. The program
can be found at http://www.water.ca.gov/turf/.
• The city of Fresno, CA also has their own rebate program. More information can be found at
here.
• There are many options available for drought resistant plants that can create a more natural
garden.
• Plants that can be used include: cypress, desert willow, agave, California poppy, lavender, coral bell, and
many other options.

7. Examples of Xeriscape Lawns
• Xeriscape lawns can use rocks and
other materials to replace the grass.
• Also, xeriscape does not mean that
the lawn can have no plants; there
are many plants available that are
colorful and lush, while still being
drought-resistant and more friendly
to the environment.

8. My New Lawn
• My family also took advantage of the
rebate provided by the state to have
the chance to make our lawn drought
resistant. This took a lot of time and
physical labor, but we are glad to be
able to be part of a solution.
• We hope this new lawn will help us
save money and to promote a turn to
more drought friendly landscaping in
our neighborhood.

9. References
Famiglietti, Jay. "Can We End the Global Water Crisis? | Jay Famiglietti at TEDxUCIrvine." YouTube. TedxUCIrvine, 9 June 2013.
Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Kasler, Dale. "Central Valley Sinking Fast in Drought, NASA Study Shows." <i>Sacbee</i>. The Sacramento Bee, 19 Aug. 2015.
Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
Lurie, Julia. "7 Key Facts about the Drought." Mother Jones. Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress, 6 Apr.
2015. Web. 06 Dec. 2015.
Megerian, Chris, Matt Stevens, and Bettina Boxall. "Brown Orders California's First Mandatory Water Restrictions: 'It's a
Different World'"Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2015. Web. 06 Dec. 2015.
Montagne, Renee. "Residents Grow More Desperate Without Water In California Town." NPR. NPR, 29 June 2015. Web. 06
Dec. 2015.
"Outdoor Water Use in the United States." US Outdoor Water Use. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 19 Nov.
2015. Web. 06 Dec. 2015.