The City of Malibu has partnered with West Basin Municipal Water District the Surfrider Foundation to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Ocean-Friendly Demonstration Garden on Wednesday, March 20, 10 a.m. at Bluffs Park.
“This garden is one of many ways the City of Malibu continues to deliver on its commitment to environmental stewardship, specifically our ongoing quest to protect ocean water quality,” Mayor Lou La Monte said. “This garden will allow the public to witness ocean-friendly garden principles in action and empower individuals to implement them in their own yards. We thank the West Basin Municipal Water District and the Surfrider Foundation for working with us to develop this educational community resource.”
A key benefit of an ocean-friendly garden is that it traps rainwater and uses water efficient irrigation systems to provide for plants, conserving water and reducing polluted runoff, said a city release. These gardens also lower pesticide use and make natural habitats for native wildlife such as birds and butterflies.
“West Basin is pleased to be working with the City of Malibu to install this ocean-friendly demonstration garden in one of the most outstanding local parks in the City,” said West Basin Director Edward C. Little. “This new garden will show residents that ocean-friendly gardens are nice-looking, water efficient and something they can incorporate in their own homes to reduce water use and costs.”
The goal of the demonstration garden at Bluffs Park is to display how a private yard can be a sustainable and beautiful ocean-friendly alternative to traditional turf and high-water-use landscaping. The City of Malibu, West Basin and Surfrider hope that this garden will inspire residents to do the same.
Beginning March 23 through April 30, the city will be promoting a series of events as part of its “Earth Month” celebration, including a Smart Gardening workshop on April 20.
The demonstration garden at Bluffs Park was funded through a Proposition 50 grant from the California Department of Water Resources with other contributions from the City of Malibu, West Basin Municipal Water District, Los Angeles County Waterworks District 29 and the Metropolitan Water District, in addition to generous support of materials and services from the community.
More information about ocean friendly gardens, incentives and pollution prevention can be obtained by visiting http://www.malibucity.org , as well as www.westbasin.org , and www.surfrider.org .