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Impact Report

For plan Conservation and Efficient Use of Water (Los Alamos County)
Date October 31, 2011, 6:52 pm
For Objective Medium-term Show medium-term objectives
Impact Report Water conservation education has continued to be a major focus of the agent during the past year. The agent continued collaboration with the Los Alamos Utilities Department on the development and distribution of utility bill inserts which include information on landscape water conservation. The inserts were distributed to 7200 utility users throughout the county during the summer months. The inserts have been received very favorably as evidenced by the number of follow-up phone calls to the agent. In addition the agent is involved in the design and development of the landscape for the Japan-U.S. Smart Grid Collaborative Smart House Demonstration Project being conducted in Los Alamos that started in January 2010. The collaborative project on smart grid technology is being carried out by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan), the State of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories of the U.S. Department of Energy and Los Alamos County Utilities Department. In addition to the main focus of the wider implementation of renewable energy and the promotion of energy conservation the agent is leading the design and development efforts to establish a sustainable landscape which surrounds the structure. Additionally the agent presented two lectures on plant selection to groups in White Rock and Los Alamos which had a total of 43 participants. A Powerpoint presentation of 125 trees, shrubs and perennials that have the potential for saving water in the landscape. Presentations were adapted to both the Los Alamos and White Rock areas. A number of participants thanked the agent following the presentations indicating that they had enjoyed the lecture style and hade gained an immense amount of new knowledge as a result. The agent presented a plant selection lecture to 22 Master Gardener trainees in Los Alamos. Emphasis was on native plants and those plants which require minimum water for survival. Lists of plants and their characteristics were provided to participants. For a second year the agent presented “Water Harvesting Workshop: The Permaculture Way” to 11 participants. During this hands-on workshop participants learned how to design a permaculture based edible landscape that harvests its own water. Participants installed a rainwater tank/cistern, dug passive water harvesting earthworks, and installed a basic gravity fed greywater irrigation system. Participants developed a basic understanding of how to design and install their own water harvesting systems at home. This was also the second year the agent presented a workshop on “Raingardens”. Twenty-six participated in the workshop which included a simple method for sizing and designing rain gardens and detail proper construction techniques. As a result of the training the participants, as measured by a post-evaluation instrument, developed an understanding of why storm water needs to be managed, as well as a understanding of the principles of rain garden location, design, construction and maintenance and the ability to select appropriate vegetation. The agent also continued the traditional Extension venue of making one-on-one contacts with clientele throughout the county which included those specifically related to landscape water conservation as well as general cultural questions which influences water usage in the landscape. The agent made 671 such contacts during the program year, including general xeriscape questions, especially plant selection, proper irrigation techniques, and the selection and use of mulches. Evaluation of these contacts included a post-contact survey instrument given to personal contacts measuring perceived gains in knowledge, usefulness of that knowledge, and the professionalism and timeliness of the agent in responding. The instrument was given to every fourth clientele receiving information following a contact. Datum consistently showed that over 95% of the respondents indicated a gain in knowledge of over 60% and that this information was very useful. Data also showed an over 85% positive response to the timeliness of response and professionalism exhibited by the agent.