Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Conservation and Efficient Use of Water (Los Alamos County)
Plan Goals
The overall objective of the Los Alamos water conservation education plan is to lower residential and comercial outdoor water use through a variety of conservation measures that can easily be implemented by residents and owners in a phased approach
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Conservation and Efficient Use of Water
Impact Reports
Based on the objective to teach residents about the importance of proper plant selection to water conservation in the urban landscape, 50 participants will repot a 35% gain in knowledge following a presentation.
Impact: Two presentations on proper plant selection were offered to the general public using local nurserymen as guest speakers. Two hundred eleven attended the presentations which consisted of slide shows of plants which are well adapted to the Los Alamos landscape. There was also discussion of the planting and maintenance of these plants. One hundred eighty-two of the participants reported at least a 60% gain in knowledge about adapted plants. (2007)
Impact: Two presentations on proper plant selection were offered to the general public using local nurserymen as guest speakers. Two hundred eleven attended the presentations which consisted of slide shows of plants which are well adapted to the Los Alamos landscape. There was also discussion of the planting and maintenance of these plants. One hundred eighty-two of the participants reported at least a 60% gain in knowledge about adapted plants. (2007)
Based on the objective to teach residents about irrigation scheduling, 25 residents will show a 65% increase in knowledge after attending an irrigation scheduling workshop.
Impact: Twelve residents participated in a workshop offered by the NMSU turf specialist on subsurface drip irrigation on turf, completing an irrigation water audit and irrigation scheduling for turf. All twelve of the participants indicated that they had at least an 80% increase in knowledge about irrigation scheduling and demonstrated new skills by completing a water audit in a nearby residential neighborhood and completing an irrigation schedule for the property. Four of the participants later borrowed equipment to complete water audits of their own properties.
Impact: Twelve residents participated in a workshop offered by the NMSU turf specialist on subsurface drip irrigation on turf, completing an irrigation water audit and irrigation scheduling for turf. All twelve of the participants indicated that they had at least an 80% increase in knowledge about irrigation scheduling and demonstrated new skills by completing a water audit in a nearby residential neighborhood and completing an irrigation schedule for the property. Four of the participants later borrowed equipment to complete water audits of their own properties.
Based on the objectives to teach residents about water harvesting and the construction of rain barrels, 25 participants will report a 65% gain in knowledge about rain barrel construction and report a positive attitude about harvesting water in their own landscapes.
Impact: In collaboration with the Parajito Environmental Education Consortium, 44 residents attended a lecture on simple water harvesting techniques including a demonstration on constructing rain barrels. Thirty-seven of the participants reported at least a 70% increase in knowledge about water harvesting techniques and also reported that the planned to use at least one of the techniques discussed. Techniques included simple wicking systems, swale construction and both active and passive water storage systems. All 44 of the participants reported having a positive attitude toward water harvesting in their own landscapes. Seven of the participants reported having constructed their own rain barrels following the rain barrel construction demonstration.
Impact: In collaboration with the Parajito Environmental Education Consortium, 44 residents attended a lecture on simple water harvesting techniques including a demonstration on constructing rain barrels. Thirty-seven of the participants reported at least a 70% increase in knowledge about water harvesting techniques and also reported that the planned to use at least one of the techniques discussed. Techniques included simple wicking systems, swale construction and both active and passive water storage systems. All 44 of the participants reported having a positive attitude toward water harvesting in their own landscapes. Seven of the participants reported having constructed their own rain barrels following the rain barrel construction demonstration.
Based on the objectives to teach residents about the basic parts and installation of an irrigation valve and valve box, 15 participants will show a 50% gain in knowledge and show a positive attitude about their ability to install a valve box themselves.
Impact: As part of the Rio Grande Basin Initiative, a federal project aimed at water conservation education within the Rio Grande basin, 12 Master Gardener volunteers were trained in the installation of an irrigation valve box. Volunteers reported at least a 60% gain in knowledge and demonstrated knowledge gained by offering a workshop for the general public. Forty-two residents participated in the workshop and gained knowledge on the parts of automatic valves, their installation and maintenance. Workshop participants demonstrated knowledge and skills gained by replacing three valve boxes in the Los Alamos Demonstration Garden. Eighty five percent of the participants reported that they felt comfortable installing or replacing an automatic valve following the workshop. Fourteen of the participants sought further information about problems experienced with irrigation systems in their own landscapes. (2007)
Impact: As part of the Rio Grande Basin Initiative, a federal project aimed at water conservation education within the Rio Grande basin, 12 Master Gardener volunteers were trained in the installation of an irrigation valve box. Volunteers reported at least a 60% gain in knowledge and demonstrated knowledge gained by offering a workshop for the general public. Forty-two residents participated in the workshop and gained knowledge on the parts of automatic valves, their installation and maintenance. Workshop participants demonstrated knowledge and skills gained by replacing three valve boxes in the Los Alamos Demonstration Garden. Eighty five percent of the participants reported that they felt comfortable installing or replacing an automatic valve following the workshop. Fourteen of the participants sought further information about problems experienced with irrigation systems in their own landscapes. (2007)
Based on the objectives of teaching urban water conservation to residents of Los Alamos County, a representative sample of residents receiving a “Water Conservation Calendar” will increase their knowledge of basic landscape water conservation techniques by 25% and 75% will have a positive attitude about saving water in the landscape.
Impact: In collaboration with the Los Alamos County Utilities Department, the 2007 Water Conservation Calendar, which featured photographs of local xeriscapes and information about practical landscape water conservation techniques, was provided free of charge to 9200 addresses within the county. A survey distributed by the Los Alamos Utilities Department to utility users within the county found that 84% of the respondents had increased their knowledge about basic xeriscaping principles by at least 64% as a result of the calendar. Seventy three percent of the survey respondents found the calendar “extremely effective” in communicating water conservation techniques. Seventy three percent of the respondents also indicated a positive attitude about water conservation. The calendar generated a number of additional contacts with 201 residents within the county interested in taking steps toward a water efficient landscape. The contacts included discussions and on sight visits with homeowners on a variety of issues including plant selection water harvesting, efficient irrigation systems, and use of mulch. Follow-up contact found that 98% had made at least one of the changes which were recommended to their landscapes.
Impact: In collaboration with the Los Alamos County Utilities Department, the 2007 Water Conservation Calendar, which featured photographs of local xeriscapes and information about practical landscape water conservation techniques, was provided free of charge to 9200 addresses within the county. A survey distributed by the Los Alamos Utilities Department to utility users within the county found that 84% of the respondents had increased their knowledge about basic xeriscaping principles by at least 64% as a result of the calendar. Seventy three percent of the survey respondents found the calendar “extremely effective” in communicating water conservation techniques. Seventy three percent of the respondents also indicated a positive attitude about water conservation. The calendar generated a number of additional contacts with 201 residents within the county interested in taking steps toward a water efficient landscape. The contacts included discussions and on sight visits with homeowners on a variety of issues including plant selection water harvesting, efficient irrigation systems, and use of mulch. Follow-up contact found that 98% had made at least one of the changes which were recommended to their landscapes.