Thank you, Turf Trade Partners!
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Turf Trade programs represent a major step forward in conservation landscaping. The subject of many heated debates and the inspiration for language in AB2847, Turf Trade, represents a vital "middle path." Balancing water conservation targets against the myriad functions of turfgrass in the managed environment all but demands the use of third- party qualified drought tolerant turfgrasses. Incorporating this overlooked asset into conservation programs creates a smooth affordable landscape transition.
Building resilient drought tolerant communities is of no use if management practices do not also adapt. Aiding in these efforts are a suite of videos by Turf Trade partners, Center for Water Efficiency, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities. Combining consumer education, robust partnerships and TWCA qualified turfgrass makes Turf Trade a template for replicable Success
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SLC Turf Trade: A case study
The program is simple:
Trade up. Pre-order your TWCA Qualified Drought Tolerant turf seed.
Dry out. Install the TWCA qualified seed; either fully replacing, or by overseeding into the existing lawn.
Stay green. Drought tolerant landscapes begin with the plants used. Combining Water Efficient management and water efficient plants can reduce the water demand of landscapes by up to 40%.
This public-private partnership is designed to conserve water and preserve the functional beauty and natural brilliance of living turfgrass. Currently, landscape water use in the Salt Lake City area ranges between 29 and 35 inches of water per summer season. To compare, Kentucky bluegrass, widely misconceived as being an exceptionally thirsty plant requires 24 to 25 inches.
TWCA Qualified turf requires approximately eighteen inches.
Successfully converting existing turf to TWCA Qualified turf will save up to 3.7 million gallons of water. That is just the savings from this pilot project alone! By participating in this project, you are making a positive change in your community and, by showing what is possible, you are affecting that change in communities around the world.
The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) is creating educational content to help participants transition their turf to more water efficient turf cultivars! Finally, to ensure landscapes are being watered effectively, participants can use the TWCA Irrigation Calculator to find their ideal runtime!
Donating to TWCA allows the program to continue evaluating and identifying the most drought tolerant turfgrasses of each species. Without donor support TWCA could not quantify the water use of turfgrasses in the managed environment and qualify them through our rigorous process.
Trade up. Pre-order your TWCA Qualified Drought Tolerant turf seed.
Dry out. Install the TWCA qualified seed; either fully replacing, or by overseeding into the existing lawn.
Stay green. Drought tolerant landscapes begin with the plants used. Combining Water Efficient management and water efficient plants can reduce the water demand of landscapes by up to 40%.
This public-private partnership is designed to conserve water and preserve the functional beauty and natural brilliance of living turfgrass. Currently, landscape water use in the Salt Lake City area ranges between 29 and 35 inches of water per summer season. To compare, Kentucky bluegrass, widely misconceived as being an exceptionally thirsty plant requires 24 to 25 inches.
TWCA Qualified turf requires approximately eighteen inches.
Successfully converting existing turf to TWCA Qualified turf will save up to 3.7 million gallons of water. That is just the savings from this pilot project alone! By participating in this project, you are making a positive change in your community and, by showing what is possible, you are affecting that change in communities around the world.
The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) is creating educational content to help participants transition their turf to more water efficient turf cultivars! Finally, to ensure landscapes are being watered effectively, participants can use the TWCA Irrigation Calculator to find their ideal runtime!
Donating to TWCA allows the program to continue evaluating and identifying the most drought tolerant turfgrasses of each species. Without donor support TWCA could not quantify the water use of turfgrasses in the managed environment and qualify them through our rigorous process.
Education is KeyProduct alone does not deliver water savings. The secret to conservation lies in the user. Reaching homeowners, builders, and maintenance professionals to change behavior around product is key. SLC and Utah State University together developed a series of videos helping homeowners understand the process of establishment.
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iN THE NEWS
FOX 13 Now
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Turf Trade wouldn't be as successful if it weren't for the great reporting coming out of Ben Winslow and Fox 13 Now.
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"Very happy with the way it looks. It’s just so green and pretty and fine. ...we couldn’t be happier with it." - Diane Whittaker, SLC Turf Trade participant |
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Turf Trade is so much more than TWCA Qualified turfgrass. With an emphasis on consumer behavior, Turf Trade is a program. Coupling local extension recommendations to third-party qualification in a package supported by local water authorities reduces water use by raising awareness.
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PROJECT GALLERY
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Concord Lifting Station, Salt Lake City, UT
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Concord lifting station serves as a tangible destination for curious citizens to visit and experience a TWCA Qualified landscape.
Utilizing updated irrigation equipment, responsible landscape design and climate appropriate plantings (including TWCA Qualified turfgrass!) has reduced the water demand of this location by over fifty percent (50%.) |
