At the height of the California drought, a group of water suppliers offered rebates for people willing to remove lawns. Now, it's time to figure out if the experiment worked.
Ellen Knickmeyer checks-in on a big expenditure in the state of California to remove lawns—call it a "cash-for-lawns" program.
After spending more than $350 million to remove lawns, the funds ran out in 2015, but now researchers are exploring whether the rebates worked. Using advanced tools like satellite images and infrared aerial photos, along with more old-fashioned tactics like driving through neighborhoods, the researchers are trying to calculate whether the cash-for-lawns had a lasting effect on the California landscape.
The program was initiated and funded by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, along with more than two dozen other participants, at the city, county, and water district levels. A measure of concern drives the current research: the political fallout from the program, if it was unsuccessful, could damage future drought resilience efforts.
FULL STORY: In California, a $350 million social experiment over lawns
California Governor Declares Statewide Drought Emergency
The declaration applies to all of California's 58 counties, with agencies and households urged to implement stricter conservation measures as the historic drought deepens.
How To: Drought-Resistant Gardening
Curbed surveyed landscape architects specializing in drought-resistant lawns for their best "tips and tricks."
California Agency Awards $38 Million for Turf Replacement
The grant funds grass replacement rebates for commercial and residential properties and water-saving devices for fire stations.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
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A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service