Californians Know. Water Conservation Is For Life.

Californians have made great progress in recent years embracing wise water use as a daily habit. But our state's water future remains uncertain due to precipitation variability and a changing climate. It is more critical than ever that Californians adopt sustainability, embrace new approaches and technology, and work together to save our water for a secure future.

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Your Lawn has a Drinking Problem

Homeowners have made great strides in recent years to save water indoors. But our lawns have a drinking problem. About 50% of water is used for outdoor irrigation. Transforming a lawn with drought-resistant California native plants is easy, will save you money, and is good for the environment. Read our guides and how-to’s below to learn more about how you can transform your lawn.

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Photo Gallery

The California Department of Water Resources exhibit titled "Conservation - The California Lifestyle" showcases water-wise landscaping ideas in the California Building Exhibits at the California State Fair in Sacramento, Calif. on July 8, 2016.
The California Department of Water Resources displays water efficient gardens and step-by-step examples of how to replace grass turf in the Kaiser Permanente Farm at the California State Fair in Sacramento, Calif. on July 8, 2016.
A gardener mulches the plants to help reduce watering in Smartsville, Calif. on June 26th, 2014. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
Danny Motylenski installs a subsurface irrigation system Monday, October 30, 2012 at Gibbons Park in Carmichael, CA. The system uses a polypropylene fleece material to reduce the amount of water used for irrigation. The park district plans to cover the 1000 square foot section with a native turf sod after installation of the new technology. Carl Costas / The California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A couple from Roseville, Calif. a suburb of Sacramento, decided to take advantage of the Roseville Cash-for-Grass rebate program that pays 50 cents for every square foot of grass converted ($1000 maximum per single family) to a landscape with drought tolerant plants, mulch, ornamental rocks and dry streambed. A worker from Fallen Leaf Landscape of Rocklin, Calif. places landscape fabric on the area for a rock dry streambed. A series of 15 images is available for this project. Photo No. 8 was taken August 3, 2015. For details on the Calif. Department of Water Resources turf replacement program, visit www.SaveOurWaterRebates.com
A couple from Roseville, Calif. a suburb of Sacramento, decided to take advantage of the Roseville Cash-for-Grass rebate program that pays 50 cents for every square foot of grass converted ($1000 maximum per single family) to a landscape with drought tolerant plants, mulch, ornamental rocks and dry streambed. A worker from Fallen Leaf Landscape of Rocklin, Calif. starts assembling a rock wall in the front yard of the Placer County home. A series of 15 images is available for this project. Photo No. 6 was taken July 31, 2015. For details on the Calif. Department of Water Resources turf replacement program, visit www.SaveOurWaterRebates.com
A couple from Roseville, Calif. a suburb of Sacramento, decided to take advantage of the Roseville Cash-for-Grass rebate program that pays 50 cents for every square foot of grass converted ($1000 maximum per single family) to a landscape with drought tolerant plants, mulch, ornamental rocks and dry streambed. Fallen Leaf Landscape of Rocklin, Calif. in Placer County first removed the brown turf, and then terraced the front yard before large rocks were unloaded to construct a rock wall and rock dry streambed. A series of 15 images is available for this project. Photo No. 5 was taken July 31, 2015. For details on the Calif. Department of Water Resources turf replacement program, visit www.SaveOurWaterRebates.com
A couple from Roseville, Calif. a suburb of Sacramento, decided to take advantage of the Roseville Cash-for-Grass rebate program that pays 50 cents for every square foot of grass converted ($1000 maximum per single family) to a landscape with drought tolerant plants, mulch, ornamental rocks and dry streambed. Fallen Leaf Landscape of Rocklin, Calif. in Placer County first removed the brown turf from the front yard with a Bobcat tractor. The next day they started the terracing process with the tractor. A series of 15 images is available for this project. Photo No. 4 was taken July 31, 2015. For details on the Calif. Department of Water Resources turf replacement program, visit www.SaveOurWaterRebates.com
Dee Peden of Palm Desert, Calif. in Riverside County planted a variety of drought-tolerant plants at her home in the Coachella Valley. One of the plants is the trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), also known as trumpet creeper, is a fast-growing perennial vine. The beautiful tubular flowers range in color from yellow, orange and red and bloom during the summer and fall. It's also known for attracting hummingbirds to your garden. A trellis, fence, or pole will provide additional support for the vine that can grow up to 30 to 40 feet in one season. The plant thrives in direct and partial sun and should planted some distance from your home because of its massive root system. Photo taken May 26, 2010. Dale Kolke / The California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Jody Palmer of Fresno, Calif. planted a variety of drought-tolerant plants at her home in the Central Valley of California. One is the pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), a southeastern native grass that's plantable throughout the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 and higher. It has a spiky green foliage and topped with airy pink flowers. The grass flourishes in the sun and grows three feet wide and four feet tall and up to six feet when in bloom. Typically it's pest and disease free and requires little maintenance. Some cutting back after blooming is recommended. Photo taken October 20, 2010. Dale Kolke / The California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Mulch on the plants and micro irrigation to help reduce watering in Smartsville, Calif. on June 26th, 2014. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
Drip emitters are an effective way to water your plants and trees. Photo illustration taken February 20, 2014. John Chacon / California Department of Water Resources
John Baziuk of Fresno, Calif. planted a variety of drought-tolerant plants at his home in the Central Valley of California. One of the plants is the Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha), a bushy shrub that grows three to four feet tall and wide. It has white stems, grayish-green leaves and rich purple flowers that bloom summer through fall that attract hummingbirds. A great addition to a rock garden or mixed border, the plant thrives in full sun with only occasional watering. Photo taken October 20, 2010. Dale Kolke / The California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A home garden in the South Land Park area of Sacramento, California, features lavender and California poppies, during the Sacramento Valley Native Plant Garden Tour. Photo taken April 27, 2019. Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Roberta Walker of Sacramento, Calif. in Northern California planted a variety of drought-tolerant plants at her home. One is the Santa Barbara daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus) a great border accent with plenty of color and attracts beneficial insects from bees, wasps and butterflies. The blooming season goes from late spring thru mid summer, with best results in full sun. Photo taken April 26, 2010. Dale Kolke / The California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A home garden in the South Land Park area of Sacramento, California, features yellow evening primroses, during the Sacramento Valley Native Plant Garden Tour. Photo taken April 27, 2019. Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Roberta Walker of Sacramento, Calif. in Northern California planted a variety of drought-tolerant plants at her home. One of the plants is the autumn sage (Salvia greggii), a perennial evergreen sub-shrub that is native to Southwest Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico. The plant features a long blooming season from spring to the fall, with red shades and other varieties in pink, purple, white and orange. Hummingbirds are attracted to the plant that grows up to four feet high. Photo taken April 26, 2010. Dale Kolke / The California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A home garden in the South Land Park area of Sacramento, California, features native plants such as a variety of salvias, during the Sacramento Valley Native Plant Garden Tour. Photo taken April 27, 2019. Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A home garden in the South Land Park area of Sacramento, California, features native plants such as rosa altissimo, or climbing rose, during the Sacramento Valley Native Plant Garden Tour. Photo taken April 27, 2019. Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
A home garden in the Fabulous 40s area of Sacramento, California, features drought tolerant irises with white and purple flowers. Photo taken April 27, 2019. Florence Low / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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