What is the SmartScape Program?
Water is a critical resource that is not naturally abundant in Southern California. While we import water to meet our needs, it comes at a high cost to the environment and is becoming increasingly expensive.
Over 60 percent of residential water use occurs outside of the home, mostly for landscaping. We can change that.
How Orange County Coastkeeper is Helping the Community with SmartScapes
Through the SmartScape Program, Coastkeeper helps property owners and landscaping contractors transition away from high water use landscaping. From identifying financial incentives, design and installation, and long-term maintenance, we offer assistance at every step.
If you are just starting your landscape conversion, Coastkeeper is ready to help.
Our new SmartScape manual provides all the information you need, including:
- How to convert your water-thirsty landscape to a beautiful SmartScape
- How to maintain your new landscape
- A full how-to guide in English and Spanish
Contact Ray Hiemstra at 714-850-1965 x 1003 or ray@coastkeeper.org to get started.
Maintaining Your SmartScape
Maintaining a drought-tolerant SmartScape is different than traditional landscaping. For instance, there is often confusion on how and when to weed, water, and trim back your new landscape.
Need more help? We have a landscaping helpline available. Contact Ray Hiemstra at the Coastkeeper office at 714-850-1965 x 1003 or ray@coastkeeper.org and we can address your specific situation.
Landscape Contractors and SmartScape
The growth of drought-tolerant landscapes means that landscape contractors must adapt to new installation and maintenance procedures.
Coastkeeper offers regular training specifically for landscape professionals interested in learning more about SmartScapes. We can arrange a special training for your company at your convenience.
Additional Resources
Planting a Drought Tolerant Plant
The SmartScape Program promotes resource-efficient landscaping that features drought-tolerant plant design, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable landscape management practices.
Benefits of the SmartScape Program include:
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Conserve water
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Mitigate stormwater runoff
- Increase soil carbon sequestration
Resources
Be sure to check with your water supplier as they may be offering a rebate to get you started on your project!
SmartScape
- Turf Rebate BeWaterWise – Metropolitan Water District of California
- Turf Rebate MWD of Orange County
- California Native Plant Society
- Chino Basin Water Conservation District
- UCCE Orange County Master Gardeners
- The California Garden Web
- UC Davis Arboretum All-Stars
- Los Angeles Costal Cities Water Wise Gardening
- Inland Valley Garden Planner
