Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Water-guzzling grass lawns are a bad choice for southern California’s climate. But if you don’t want to give them up altogether, think of the places you really need a lawn – for kids and pets, picnics, croquet, going barefoot – and remove it everywhere else. Sculpt your yard with hills and hollows, using native plants, and retain 100% of the water that falls on your property. Eliminate fertilizers and pesticides and create critical habitat for birds and butterflies.
With us today is Claire Robinson, Founder of Amigos de los Rios. Claire is a national leader in urban greenspace development. She has guided dozens of urban greening projects in east Los Angeles County, converting schoolyards from grey to green and creating an ‘Emerald Necklace’ of trails, parks and open spaces along our urban river corridors.
Water-guzzling grass lawns are a bad choice for southern California’s climate. But if you don’t want to give them up altogether, think of the places you really need a lawn – for kids and pets, picnics, croquet, going barefoot – and remove it everywhere else. Sculpt your yard with hills and hollows, using native plants, and retain 100% of the water that falls on your property. Eliminate fertilizers and pesticides and create critical habitat for birds and butterflies.
With us today is Claire Robinson, Founder of Amigos de los Rios. Claire is a national leader in urban greenspace development. She has guided dozens of urban greening projects in east Los Angeles County, converting schoolyards from grey to green and creating an ‘Emerald Necklace’ of trails, parks and open spaces along our urban river corridors.
