Lawn Transformation Resources

Mar Vista is recognized for our leadership in both sustainability and conservation. The MVCC Green Committee has compiled this resource information to help you install landscaping that

• Uses less water and avoids water waste
• Includes features to slow/spread/capture/sink stormwater so it drains into the garden instead of flowing into the street
• Provides healthy habitat for birds, bees, beneficial insects and our urban wildlife

1.  Recently revised Residential Parkway Landscaping Guidelines.

2.  Mayor Garcetti’s Save the Drop LA campaign.

3.  Los Angeles Beautification Team – Lawn removal conversion program – will upgrade your lawn to a beautiful, sustainable garden. Working with the LADWP turf removal rebate, you can do it yourself, do it with help or have it done for you.

4.  TreePeople - By using their complete assortment of workshops, videos and downloadable "how-to" guides, you'll learn what you can do yourself or what to ask for when hiring a landscape designer.

• Landscape - fun workshops to reduce your turf and how to get the landscape of your dreams.
• Trees - download this quick guide and watch their videos on how to plant and care for them.
• Water - guides to install and maintain a rain barrel and informative workshops on rainwater harvesting.

5.  G3 Green Gardens Group - Their purpose is to transform our environment by showing people how to use landscapes to save the soil, sequester carbon, secure the water supply, restore the watersheds, and employ a knowledgeable and motivated workforce.

• G3 Residential & garden steward programs – classes and workshops.
• G3 criteria for certification and List of G3 Certified Landscape Professionals (scroll down to view LA County landscape designers)

6.  Surfrider Ocean Friendly Gardens – Offers classes, workshops and on line material to revive our watersheds and oceans by applying CPR – conservation, permeability and retention – to our landscapes and hardscapes.

• A step by step guide to creating an ocean friendly garden.

7. California Friendly Landscaping in Los Angeles - Explains how to design and install California friendly landscaping. Take virtual tours of the California friendly gardens, browse climate appropriate plants and access planting and irrigation templates for their microclimate.

8.  Water conservation incentive programs

• LADWP Turf Replacement - LADWP has re-launched the Turf Replacement
  Program effective July 15, 2015. Approval of applications is on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to funding availability.

• Landscaping & Irrigation Rebate Programs - Find out about other landscape water conservation rebates offered by LADWP: weather-based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensor systesm, rotating nozzles and rain barrels

9.  LA Stormwater Master Plan - Through the Stormwater Capture Master Plan identifies opportunities to increase stormwater capture in Los Angeles as part of its effort to increase the local water supply and reduce the dependence on expensive imported water for the City of Los Angeles. The Master Plan also recommends stormwater capture projects, programs, policies, incentives, and ordinances throughout the entire City of Los Angeles.

• Downloadable PDF of full report.
• So Cal Water Smart Rebate info for weather based irrigation controllers
• So Cal Water Smart Rain Barrel Rebate info
• Rain Barrels Intl event calendar for free rain barrels with rebate program

9.   Plant resource information –

• LA County Native Plant Guide – Downloadable list of over 500 native and drought tolerant plants.
• Drought Tolerant Garden – LA County downloadable handbook
•  Theodore Payne Foundation  - native plant nursery