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The Annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation kicked off its 11th year in April, with a ceremonial groundbreaking of a waterwise pocket park that showcased smart water usage strategies for homeowners. The project was awarded to the city of Westminster for its outstanding participation in the national water challenge, which it won in 2018.
The 2,500 square foot project uses native plants, water smart technologies, and strategies to demonstrate to residents that water smart landscaping is achievable, sustainable, and beautiful with proper planning, drought-tolerant plants, and the right irrigation equipment. The Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is an annual water awareness campaign that promotes good water stewardship and encourages residents nationwide to use water wisely.
Each year in April, mayors across the U.S. rally their citizens to complete a series of online pledges to be more mindful of their water and energy use. The campaign asks residents to take a series of simple water-saving actions for a chance to win $3,000 toward their home utility bills, home irrigation makeovers from Toro, Hobie gift cards, and hundreds more eco-friendly prizes. Residents can also nominate a deserving charity in their city to receive a 2022 new-generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE.
As an added incentive, the Municipal Water District of Orange County partnered with the Wyland Foundation in 2018 to award a water-wise pocket park to a southern California city with the highest number of pledges in the National Challenge. “These types of projects can have help people learn how to be more resilient to climate change and drought,” said Wyland Foundation President Steve Creech. “They also can play a bigger role in a cleaner and healthier environment.”
In 2018, the City of Westminster alone collected over 9,500 pledges from residents committing to reduce the city’s water use by 38.2 million gallons of water over a year.
The non-profit Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation campaign is presented in association with EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, and National League of Cities.
