[February 08, 2013]

West Basin and Redondo Union High School Students Dedicate New Garden

Redondo Union High School (RUHS) celebrated the dedication of their newly created Ocean-Friendly Garden (OFG) on Thursday, January 31^st. RUHS students and faculty participated in a hands-on workshop on sustainable gardening techniques to build and create the garden. The AP Environmental Science and special education classes helped remove water-wasting turf from the school ground and installed sheet mulch, drip irrigation, bioswales, and drought tolerant plants in coordination with West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) and the Surfrider Foundation.

Redondo Union High School students present their newly constructed Ocean-Friendly Garden on Diamond St. in Redondo Beach (Photo: Business Wire)

The coordinated efforts of the OFG partnership helped to create a garden that restores the natural California landscape and uses water more efficiently than turf landscaping. "We're here today to celebrate the completion of this demonstrtion garden that will reduce water use by 80 percent. This garden is a great example of the importance that these RUHS students are placing on water reliability for their school and for this surrounding community," said West Basin Board President Carol K. Kwan. Other speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Redondo Beach Council Member Bill Brand, Paul Herzog from the Surfrider Foundation, Cal Water Service's Susan Cordone, and AP Environmental Science Teacher Mary Simun.

West Basin will complete 11 more gardens in its service area in upcoming months including locations in Malibu and Manhattan Beach this spring. The OFG program is provided under West Basin's Water Reliability 2020 Program which aims to reduce dependence on imported water in half by the year 2020 by doubling water recycling, doubling conservation and adding a small amount of desalinated ocean water to West Basin's water supply portfolio. The ocean-friendly garden program will help West Basin work toward its conservation goals and increase water use efficiency by reducing the amount of water used outdoors (the top water wasting practice in residential communities).

The garden is located on One Sea Hawk Way (on Diamond Street) for students and visitors to enjoy. RUHS students will monitor the flora and fauna as part of an ongoing science curriculum. This garden was fully funded by the Department of Water Resources, California Water Service Company and Metropolitan Water District.

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West Basin Municipal Water District is a wholesale water district that serves nearly a million people in 17 cities and unincorporated areas throughout its 185-square mile service area. West Basin is reducing its dependence on imported water through the Water Reliability 2020 program that will double conservation, double recycled water production and add desalted ocean-water to our portfolio by the year 2020. Partnering with community organizations, businesses and other public agencies keeps West Basin lean and strengthens its programs. www.westbasin.org

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130208005849/en/

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