Above Curb appeal doesn’t come at the cost of a healthy river or reliable water, as shown by Ann and her water-saving front yard.
A summer with two back-to-back drought declarations only four years after the worst recorded drought in the Ipswich River’s history has made the need for better water conservation clear. New England’s abundance of waterways and naturally soggy state can make the dire need for smarter water use on the part of towns, residents, and businesses difficult to wrap one’s head around. Many residents, however, have volunteered to conserve by refraining from unnecessary outdoor water use for years now. Some of those water heroes are going a step further and encouraging others to join them through the Greenscapes: Water for People campaign.
The campaign, which launched in its pilot stage this summer following the first of the drought declarations, centers around the truth that water is essential for many important (and enjoyable) aspects of our life and should not be wasted. Residents are asked to take the Greenscapes: Water for People pledge to abstain from watering their grass (at all) and only hand water other plants (as needed). Those who made the pledge were offered a free lawn sign to both spread awareness of the campaign, and illustrate that a no-watering lawn can still look great.
In her senior year at Endicott College, intern Amanda Recupero (below) is basing her senior thesis project on the Greenscapes: Water For People campaign. Amanda will be spending her final two semesters working on it with support from Ipswich River staff. Amanda says, “My project consists of two research questions: how much water is saved when residents elect not to water their grass, and what type of outreach is most effective at encouraging this behavior change?”
Already, campaign participants have answered surveys and questions to help Amanda with her thesis, and establish the messaging and programs that will inspire more people to save water. Want to join the effort? You can still take the pledge (at greenscapes.org) and request a lawn sign (available for pick-up in spring 2021). Already saving water and want to keep defending reliable water? Make a donation to the Annual Appeal today.
Hi Rachel,
I’m thrilled you have intern Amanda on this project. I look forward to hearing more about the findings she comes up with and wish her every success in her studies. I appreciate her!
Otherwise, for those of us living in apartment buildings (Whipple Annex) or folks without yards per se, what recommendations exist to conserve water?
Is a public info campaign around this under consideration? For example, a fun “If it’s yellow, let it mellow” campaign may be a great way to enlist every household member, especially children, in the effort. You know if we can get children in on the importance of water protection early enough, we can create advocates for life who will then ensure their adults pay more attention too.
Thank you!
Hi Carol! Great question: residents without yards can help in a few ways: Encouraging others to save water and saving water indoors by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, and waiting to run dishwashers and laundry machines until they are full. Even if your outdoor space is small, directing rainwater towards pervious areas like grass or garden beds will help recharge groundwater while reducing the amount of stormwater pollution washing directly into waterways. And, of course, advocating locally for better water regulations!