ANCHOR LEAD: According to academics, landscape water use in California accounts for just 9% of the total statewide water use, but California continues to demonize lawns and landscapes as water wasters. Does that mean green yards and gardens have to fall by the wayside? Brian Osuch has more. (:60)
SCRIPT: In the Know, I'm Brian Osuch. California is allowing water agencies to set their own restrictions, but what does this mean for the state's lawns, parks and other green space? Kris Kiser is President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute or OPEI.
CUT: (Kiser) We need to get smarter about our landscapes. What we plant… right plant, right place. How we water, when we water. It needs to be appropriate, southern California is very different than northern California… keep a living landscape, but one that is climate appropriate.
SCRIPT: Kiser says there are drought responsible options that ensure families can still have a living landscape – good news for those who want the very real health benefits from living, growing plants, grass and trees.
CUT: (Kiser) You can have a lawn, but you need to have the right lawn. There are a lot of grasses that you can use in California… Bermuda grass, nearly indestructible. Once it's established it doesn't really need much supplemental water if any. It will survive California, it will survive the kids, the dogs. We're here to say, get smart, be drought and environmentally appropriate.
SCRIPT: For more information, go to OPEI.org. Now you're In the Know from the OPEI.
SCRIPT: In the Know, I'm Brian Osuch. California is allowing water agencies to set their own restrictions, but what does this mean for the state's lawns, parks and other green space? Kris Kiser is President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute or OPEI.
CUT: (Kiser) We need to get smarter about our landscapes. What we plant… right plant, right place. How we water, when we water. It needs to be appropriate, southern California is very different than northern California… keep a living landscape, but one that is climate appropriate.
SCRIPT: Kiser says there are drought responsible options that ensure families can still have a living landscape – good news for those who want the very real health benefits from living, growing plants, grass and trees.
CUT: (Kiser) You can have a lawn, but you need to have the right lawn. There are a lot of grasses that you can use in California… Bermuda grass, nearly indestructible. Once it's established it doesn't really need much supplemental water if any. It will survive California, it will survive the kids, the dogs. We're here to say, get smart, be drought and environmentally appropriate.
SCRIPT: For more information, go to OPEI.org. Now you're In the Know from the OPEI.
