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The Utah Legislative Water Development Commission unanimously approved the Water Wise Landscaping Amendments on November 20, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Keven Stratton, promotes appropriate grass species paired with smart irrigation technology rather than restricting turf. What the Legislation Does The Water Wise Landscaping Amendments apply specifically to state-owned properties and establish three primary […]
Editorial Director: Steve Whitesell Author: Kevin Rowe Americans are rethinking their yards. Faced with droughts, high water bills, and shifting social norms, many are trading turf for climate-smart landscapes that use less water and maintenance. But this study found that behavioral motivations — not financial ones — drive lasting change. The National Landscape Transformation Study […]
Executive Director: Steve Whitesell Author: Kevin Rowe This is a behavioral playbook — a practical, research-based guide to help water conservation managers design rebate programs that people actually use. Instead of focusing only on financial incentives, this list integrates insights from four behavioral science studies: Upfront Costs Shape Conservation (loss aversion, complexity barriers) Norm Nudges […]
Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Expert Reviewer: Dr. Kelly Kopp Across the Western U.S., utilities are spending millions paying homeowners to replace lawns with xeriscapes and adapted plant materials. The visual impact is striking — but the real driver of water savings isn’t what’s changed above ground. It’s what’s changed below ground. While “Cash for Grass” […]
Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Expert Review: Dr Marco Palma Even homeowners motivated by conservation are less likely to join rebate programs that demand large upfront investments and deliver delayed or uncertain savings. Behavioral science shows incentives succeed only when perceived loss, delay, risk, and effort are minimized. Why it’s Important “Millions of dollars in rebates […]
Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Author: Kevin Rowe Comparing neighbors may be the most powerful drought-fighting tool you’ve never used. A norm nudge is a behavioral science technique that encourages behavioral change by showing people what others are doing — especially what’s considered typical or socially approved in their community. As an example, a utility can […]
Editorial Director: Steve Whitesell Expert Reviewer: Dr Marco Palma The most cost-effective way to expand irrigation savings isn’t by raising rebate amounts. It’s by designing programs that neighbors can see, copy, and celebrate. Water conservation programs can achieve far greater impact by designing for spillover (or viral) adoption — by structuring irrigation upgrade programs so […]
Executive Editor: Steve Whitesell Expert Reviewer: Dr Charlie Hall Economic uncertainty is redefining who adopts water conservation upgrades. The Big Picture Economic uncertainty is redefining who adopts water conservation upgrades. Affluent homeowners are still moving forward with large, water-wise projects, while everyone else is scaling back to smaller, lower-risk improvements. Even with rebates available, the […]
Earlier this year, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture unanimously adopted a resolution supporting a federal study of the potential benefits preserving and maintaining turfgrass and greenspaces are, even in drought prone areas. A growing number of studies suggest that overly aggressive turfgrass removal and restrictions on green space sizes in residential and […]
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