Post on 28-Dec-2015
Pollution Accumulates In Between Rain Storms.
We Concentrate on Retaining First Flush:
The First 1 Inch of rain after a dry period.
80% of pollution in 1st inch.
= 3.8 billion gallons/1 inch of rain in L.A.
…And Stop Dry Weather
Runoff
Hundreds of millions of gallons of drinkable water run off landscapes and impermeable urban environment on a DRY day.
This runoff carries pollutants directly into our waterways year round.
Think of Every Property As A Mini-Watershed
Apply CPR To Revive Watersheds & Oceans
Conservation - of Water, Wildlife Habitat & Energy
Permeability - of soil & hard surfaces
Retention – of rain water
TOP
BOTTOM
Filter for pollution
Sponge to hold onto water – plants tap during dry months
Sink for carbon – pulled into plant from carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas
Soil Works!
California San Diego, South OC, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, South Bay, West LA/Malibu, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Sonoma Coast, Humboldt PNW Portland/OR, Newport/OR, Coos Bay/OR, Siuslaw South Sound Seattle Olympia Northwest Straits Bellingham Hawaii Oahu, Maui, Kauai New England – in discussion East Coast New York City, Jersey Shore, South Jersey, Delaware, D.C., Ocean City/MD, Virginia Beach Mid-Atlantic Clubs - Univ No Carolina-Wilminton Southeast – Charlotte/NC, Cape Fear/NC, Charleston/SC, Atlanta/GA Florida First Coast, Palm Beach County, Sebastian Inlet, Volusia/FlaglerFlorida Clubs - Indiatlantic Elem School
Chapters Engaged
Program Models
Shift the marketplace: a combination of education, training, and regulation
• Education– Standards (criteria) for consumers, professionals & gov’t– Talks, walks, map, web how-to info
• Hands-on activities– Train DIYers & professionals– Workdays
• Advocacy for policy changes– Standards in codes & incentive programs– Meetings w/gov’t & attend hearings
(Ventura County) Chapter: ______ Project
Ventura, CA• OFG program started in 2009• Loma Vista Elem School: was
an unused grassy area• Partnership with local
community council• Educated school district staff
Portland, OR: Green Streets
Stewards• Collaboration with
City• Clean and
maintain curb cuts and parkways
• __ sites =
• Program started in 2013• Pohaku Beach Park – runoff from shower & parking lot to ocean• Team effort – enviro groups, businesses, landscape
designer/Montessori teacher
Maui
South Jersey• Program started in 2014• Opposing parkway turf &
irrigation requirement• Supporting OFG• Successfully stopped &
invited to educate Town Council
San Diego, CA – stormwater permit re-issuance hearing
NYC OFG program started in 2014• Parkways: dirt and ugly• Partnership between SF, company, City• Combined sewer/storm system – relieves pressure• Helps City’s $2 Billion water quality plan
• Florida – OFG program started in 2012• Fletcher Middle School: was an unused grass area• Partnership with teacher & landscape professional• First Coast OFG Chair – helping reach out to FL chapters
L.A. City Council Motion
- Require watershed approach to get $1.75 LADWP turf removal rebate. Backed by GreenLA Coalition. (Clms. Koretz & Krekorian)
So Cal - Require MWD’s rebated to follow watershed
standards.- Cal Friendly Landscape Training (CFLT) takes
watershed approach (G3 teaches).
CA- Cal. Urban Water Conservation Council Landscape
Committee and BOD member (watershed approach)- Independent Technical Panel - influence
National OFG Coordinator’s Advocacy
Increased awareness & credibility of OFG Criteria (Standards)
• Follows on growth of rain garden programs
• Shows broad applicability
• Easily implemented - it’s just landscaping
• Generates data for public agencies to meet regulatory requirements
Ocean Friendly Gardens
• Activating volunteers and building leaders• Educating students, teachers and maintenance staff• Building chapter credibility & legitimacy• Forming partnerships with government, other non-
profits, and private sector• Affecting government standards• Cleaning up sources of pollution• Training DIYers and professionals• Advocating for policy solutions
What does a chapter need to start an OFG program?
• Plan• Some funding • Volunteers to educate, help with hands-on
activities, and advocate• Follow up – maintenance, posting gardens to
the map, getting a yard sign, recruiting volunteers