Training a Green Workforce for LA’s Water Future

Climate change research is creating wild weather patterns. Here in California, we’re already experiencing the impact. Longer droughts. Flash floods. More intense weather patterns like El Niño. The conditions seem to fluctuate week by week. If that’s our experience now, imagine the impacts we’ll see 10 years from now, and beyond.

That’s why TreePeople is a major proponent of rainwater harvesting, especially here in Los Angeles. Now is the time to plan for our rapidly changing future.

Therefore, we are proud to partner with the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) to establish a trained workforce, ready to meet Los Angeles’ need for stormwater capture systems.… Read more >>

10 Plants to Fight Erosion

Don’t let this warm weather fool you! The El Niño storm season has begun and forecasters are predicting more storms through April. If storms roll through, we can anticipate flooding, mudslides and property damage. Don’t sound the alarm just yet, though. Now is the perfect time to take action. (Plus, storms or not, putting the RIGHT plants in the ground helps cool our environment and beautify our neighborhoods!)

After you’ve assessed your property and installed rain tanks or barrels to divert water away from slopes, it’s time to plant!… Read more >>

Can Christmas Trees Be Sustainable?

The holidays are here! It’s the time of year to dream of a lush Christmas tree, adorned in lights, right your living room. But you don’t have to sacrifice your sustainable lifestyle. We’re here to offer some great options, guilt free!

Real or Fake?

Unless you already own an artificial tree, go with real. Why? Well, because the time the tree spent alive benefitted the planet. Trees do so much for us: they clean the air, capture water, reduce crime and combat climate change.… Read more >>

Prevent Erosion in 4 Simple Steps

Erosion.

With an El Niño headed our way, erosion is rapidly becoming a topic of concern. After several years of drought, much of our soil has become dry and severely compacted. Significant storms could mean flooding, mudslides and property damage. However, there’s no need to sound the alarm. Now is the perfect time to take action.

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Erosion is a natural process, but we can take simple steps to keep soil healthy and in place. If we take action before the storms hit, we can limit erosion, stabilize slopes and better manage stormwater that falls on our homes.… Read more >>

5 Great Events to Prepare for El Nino and Planting Season

It’s winter, and not just any winter. We’re expecting an El Niño season with up to 30 inches of rain. With storms on the horizon, is your house prepared to capture stormwater and reduce flooding? Now’s the time to get started!

Join us for these five upcoming events to get ready for the rain! Learn how to install rain barrels before the rains come so you can  capture those precious drops. Or discover how to make your garden the talk of the town by transforming your yard with a colorful, drought-smart native landscape.… Read more >>

Prime Time for Rainwater Harvest

Are you considering starting a rainwater harvest project on your property, but not sure where to start? Our FREE workshops are for you! Take it from Sophia, one of our recent workshop attendees!

How did you hear about TreePeople?

When I moved to the Hollywood Hills, I found myself shocked by the user-unfriendly traffic in the region I needed to find sanctuary since the Pacific Ocean and its beaches were no longer accessible. Exploring canyons became my favorite pastime and, because of the convenient TreePeople parking lot on Mulholland, that location is at the top of my hiking-haven list.… Read more >>

Is Los Angeles Ready For El Nino?

El Niño is likely to be heading our way this winter, bringing upwards of 30 inches of rain to Los Angeles. So, the drought is essentially over—right? Wrong.

Well, that is, unless we prepare properly.

Unfortunately, as the climate shifts, we can expect to see drought and floods as two sides of the same coin. As we adapt to this new norm, we can expect both drier conditions and more severe storms. Unless we adopt new habits, like learning to responsibly capture those drops, we can expect drought conditions to continue.… Read more >>

Mulch Now, Plant Later

Did you know California residents use more than 50% of our drinking water to water their yards?

It’s true! In fact, a 1,000 square foot lawn with an average sprinkler system uses about 25,000 gallons of water per year. In the midst of a historic drought, that’s precious water we simply can’t afford to waste!

Luckily, the drought is teaching us to use our resources more wisely—to let our lawns go golden, while still watering our trees — and to plant water wise natives at home.… Read more >>

El Niño May Be Around the Corner. Are You Prepared?

El Niño may be around the corner come this fall’s rainy season, and scientists are predicting even greater storms than 1997—which flooded Southern California. After four years of severe drought, that is welcome news!

However, it’s important to ensure we’re prepared to capture the stormwater and store it responsibly. Any rainwater harvesting system starts with rain gutters and downspouts. With summer upon us, we’re here to help you get ready for fall – and what may fall from the sky. This is the perfect time to tidy up and ensure that all your elements are in good shape.… Read more >>

The Artifice of Artificial Turf

Dominic Alves via Flickr Creative Commons

You may have been hearing a lot of praise for fake grass in the media lately, but I’m here to set the record straight: Fake turf does more harm than good.

I’m not sure when I started hating artificial grass. Maybe it was when my beloved grandmother planted fake flowers in her garden beds so the Easter photos would “turn out nice.” For the record, I tried to pick them, and everyone laughed at us.

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But I think it has to do more with the sheer fact that fake grass, or it’s trendier name—frass—has no place in a sustainable landscape.… Read more >>