News of the Arroyo
Title: | Popular California Friendly Gardening Class Spins off to the Web |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2005-07-18 |
Summary: | July 18, 2005 - Metropolitan Offers Free Online Training Course on ``bewaterwise.com'' to Help Southern Californians Learn about Water-Wise Landscaping |
Author: | Staff |
Publication: | MWD |
Content: | LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 18, 2005--Southern Californians\' overwhelming demand for water-wise landscape knowledge and advice will be quenched as Metropolitan Water District and the Family of Southern California Water Agencies add an online class to the popular \"bewaterwise.com\" Web site. A free \"California Friendly Gardening for the Water Wise\" course went online today, offering aspiring gardeners an easy way to tap into 15-minute components packed with information on how to design and irrigate a garden, select the right plants, and keep them healthy and happy. \"Demand for this course has skyrocketed from residents throughout the Southland in the past three years thanks to our ongoing outdoor water conservation campaign and the quality of our instructors. In fact, some local water agencies have waiting lists for the free course,\" said Metropolitan board Chairman Wes Bannister. \"Creating a Web-based tutorial was a natural, cost-effective way to make this information available to everyone who wants it,\" Bannister said. Using a narrator-guided, animated interface, the online course teaches the basics of California Friendly landscaping in modules entitled \"Getting Started,\" \"Plant Selection,\" \"Irrigation Basics,\" and \"Landscape Planting and Maintenance.\" The modules, which take about 15 minutes each to complete, give e-learners the opportunity to take them all at once or one at a time. Any portion of the module can be repeated with the click of a mouse. \"Anyone with a personal computer and Internet access can log onto \'bewaterwise.com,\' enter their city, state and zip code for tracking purposes, and take the free course,\" said Debra Man, Metropolitan\'s chief operating officer. \"California Friendly landscaping is about using only as much water as you need,\" Man said. \"With up to 70 percent of household water used outdoors, there are plenty of ways we can cut back on our water use and still enjoy beautiful gardens. This training course offers a simple framework for anyone to transform their outdoor spaces into a water-wise showplace.\" The online learning module is the first of several to be added to \"bewaterwise.com\" this year. A $25,000 grant from Water for the West, a non-profit organization, will help introduce onto cyberspace more intensive courses on water-wise landscaping for residents. Another $77,000 state grant funded through Proposition 50 will support another residential class and two intensive courses for landscape maintenance professionals. In addition to the online course, \"bewaterwise.com\" offers many resources for home and professional gardeners, including a searchable database of 1,000 California Friendly plants, water-saving tips and detailed information on rebate and incentive programs. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 18 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other water-management programs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Lynn Lipinski, 213-217-6603; 213-324-6430 (mobile) Bob Muir, 213-217-6930; 213-324-5213 (mobile) |
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