With the abundance of trees, shrubs and grass in Southern California, it's easy to forget we live in a desert. We import millions of gallons of water from northern California, the Owens Valley and the Colorado River, and pump millions more from groundwater wells that draw water out of our regional aquifers.

Increasingly, water is in short supply and is becoming more expensive. Additionally, California faces repeating cycles of drought (La Niña). In fact, historically, our state has faced prolonged droughts that have lasted over 50 years. Therefore, it is critical to conserve as much water as possible. Water-wise gardening involves using various landscaping techniques that help conserve water while maintaining a beautiful and efficient yard.

Here is a Fact Sheet.