One way to achieve “Sustainable Living” is to employ the concept of “Low Impact Development” (LID) at home. LID is an innovative storm water management approach with a basic principle that is modeled after nature: manage rainfall and storm water runoff at the source and treat storm water as a resource, not a waste product to funnel away. The goal is to mimic nature by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source.

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A rain barrel is any type of container used to catch water flowing from a downspout for future non-potable, exterior uses, such as irrigation. Rain barrels reduce the amount of storm water runoff by collecting roof runoff and storing the rainwater for future use. Rain barrels are one many ways to capture and reuse rain water and one way to achieve “Sustainable Living”. 

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LID projects are designed specifically to utilize elements, materials, and construction methods in order to capture, slow, and treat stormwater runoff.

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Landscaping and garden maintenance activities can be major contributors to ocean pollution. Soils, yard wastes, overwatering and garden chemicals become part of the urban runoff mix that winds its way through streets, gutters and storm drains before entering the ocean.

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Landscape Certification

If your garden meets all of the Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping Requirements, then your property has achieved a high level of sustainability and deserves recognition! If you are thinking of re-landscaping, you can use the Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping standards to ensure that your project is designed to conserve water and reduce long-term maintenance costs.