Northern Water has issued grants to a number of small, largely volunteer organizations to introduce local flora to their property, which recipients say adds beautification as well as making efficient use of water. Particularly in the American Southwest, a concept known as xeriscaping, or using local plants that are better suited to the region’s arid climate rather than shipping in nonnative plants that require more frequent watering to survive in drier climates, has become more popular. In total, roughly $300,000 in grants, largely to churches, homeowners associations and other organizations largely staffed by volunteers have been handed out this year, all to encourage the growth of plants well suited to the climate, rather than ill suited plants that require heavy watering in a region where water is sometimes hard to come by.
Over the last six years, about $1.2 million has been allocated by Northern Water to such projects. Northern Water requires matching funds to apply for their grants, so in total, roughly $2.
5 million has been spent during that time to bring local landscaping efforts in line with the region’s climate, covering around 7 million square feet. “As we look back on the past six years of our grant program, it’s inspiring to witness its transformative impact,” said Frank Kinder, manager of the Water Efficiency Department at Northern Water, in a press release announcing the grants. “The program continues to pioneer low-water and ecosystem-enhancing lan.