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DWP RECOGNIZED FOR ITS NATIVE PLANT PROGRAM

Association of California Water Agencies Selected the Department of Water and Power of the City of Big Bear Lake as one of the six finalists for the Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence

BIG BEAR LAKE, CA - The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) selected the Department of Water and Power of the City of Big Bear Lake (DWP) as one of six finalists for the Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence. The Clair A. Hill Award recognizes innovation in managing and protecting our state’s most precious natural resource, water. The winner will be announced on May 10th at ACWA’s spring conference in Sacramento.

The DWP is being recognized for its native plant program, which encourages the community to landscape with attractive, low water-use native plants. This program began in the fall of 2003 when the DWP first collected seed. Each year, the native plant seed was sent to Las Pilitas Nursery, in Santa Margarita, CA, for propagation. The DWP then transported 600-800 seedlings per year to Hunter’s Nursery during the summers of 2004, 2005, and 2006 for sale to the public. Last summer’s Xeriscape Garden Tour’s theme “Go Native” further promoted the use of native plants. In the fall of 2006, NativeScapes and TSL Landscaping requested seed for experimental propagation at their facilities. The DWP believes this program is a success, is being embraced by the community, and has resulted in a new mindset regarding how home and business owners landscape.

The recognition was achieved through the cooperation of the community, the landscaping industry and the nurseries. According to Jerry Gruber, General Manager of the DWP, “The Big Bear community has shown great progress and a growing commitment to working together to manage its limited water resources. We’re proud of the community’s commitment of an adequate water supply for future generations”.

ACWA was formed in 1910 and is the largest coalition of public water agencies in the country. It is a leader on California water issues and a respected voice in the legislative and regulatory arenas. ACWA’s 447 public agency members deliver 90% of the water used by communities, cities, farms and businesses in California.

For more information on water efficiency programs please go to www.bbldwp.com or www.acwa.com.

 

 

 

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