Guest Speaker – Nichole Baker, City of Moscow, ID, Environmental Services Coordinator Water Conservation and Sustainability – Nichole presented, via conference call, and shared lessons learned in the process of developing a “Wisescape Guidebook” for the Moscow, ID and Pullman, WA region. The publication will be available in the fall and Nichole will send paper and electronic copies when it is available. Download Presentation
Wisescape® …water efficient landscaping on the Palouse
Grande Ronde Aquifer Declining Water Levels
Below are a few key points from Nichole’s presentation:
- Declining water levels across shared aquifers provided incentives for action
- PBAC set goals for voluntary reduction in water use
- Elected officials embraced Wisescape and provided a Mayor’s Award
- Demonstration gardens were created
- The Mayor’s Awards were presented at the fair and winning residents presented their garden ideas to others. Residents became leaders of the initiative to save water through Wisescape design.
- The Palouse Basin Water Summit creates a yearly dialogue about water use and engages political figures and city leaders.
- It is important to avoid the perception that one group, in this case Moscow or Pullman, was driving the decisions. It is important to be collaborative across jurisdictions.
- The City of Moscow lead by example (replacing turf with drought resistant plants as well as plants that support wildlife and pollinators).
- The parks department became metered and water use was recorded
- Rebates for turf removal were provided.
- Tiered water rates had some impact.
- The Wisescape guide book includes garden designs with specific plant suggestions.
- The City of Moscow has an ordinance that prohibits watering impervious surfaces.
Contact: Nichole Baker, Environmental Services Coordinator
Water Conservation and Sustainability
[email protected] | 208-883-7114