Workshops and Events

Proud of Your Water-Efficient Landscape?

Enter your yard in the WaterSmart Landscape Contest!

The WaterSmart Landscape Contest is an annual contest for residents in San Diego County. The City of Oceanside and other water agencies in the region host the contest each year to recognize residents who have swapped their grass for drought-tolerant landscaping and to bring awareness to the benefits of sustainable landscaping.

Residents can enter their landscape in the competition by submitting photos and filling out the entry form located at www.landscapecontest.com. Entries are judged based on criteria in the following categories: overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, efficient methods of irrigation.
2021 Contest entries are due May 14, 2021.

The City of Oceanside’s winner receives a $250 gift certificate to a local nursery, a feature in the City’s online newsletter, and a certificate of recognition.

Visit www.landscapecontest.com for details on contest requirements, judging criteria, and submission guidelines.

Oceanside's 2020 Landscape Contest Winners

 

Congratulations to Leslie Rush for her winning landscape in the 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest! Leslie’s cottage-style design displays a variety of drought-tolerant plants that were carefully selected by Leslie herself. The pleasing, eye-catching landscape also features a dry creek bed and is watered with a drip irrigation system.

Two runners-up were awarded honorable mention- Lindsay Worden and Wendy Prestera, for their exceptional landscapes and commitment to water use efficiency.

Check out photos of the winning entries below. We hope that these wonderful residents inspire you as you continue your own landscape transformation journey!

2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winners

2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winners

2018 WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winners

Virtual Water-Wise Landscaping Workshops

Make your DREAM landscape come true!

These FREE, three-hour online workshops, taught by a local landscape design professional, focus on specific landscape topics with a “do-it-yourself” approach that will give you the skills and knowledge to create a water-wise yard that you love! Topics include landscape design, plant selection, irrigation retrofits, and more. Register at www.watersmartsd.org.

 

WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series

SEVERAL NEW SERIES ADDED FOR 2021 - apply at www.watersmartsd.org

The WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series is a four-class series that will empower you to upgrade your high-water-use turf area into a WaterSmart landscape. The classes include lectures, hands-on lab work, demonstrations, homework assignments and one-on-one coaching by local landscape and irrigation professionals, all at no cost to you. You must be committed to attending all four classes.

Visit the San Diego County Water Authority's "Landscape Classes" page to learn more and apply for an open series or wait list!

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Training

Calling all landscape professionals! Build your professional training by becoming a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper. QWEL is a certificate program that provides graduates with knowledge in water-efficient and sustainable landscape practices. The 20-hour course includes irrigation system and landscape design, soils, plants, water budgeting and more. This course is currently offered FREE to landscape professionals in San Diego County in both English and Spanish. Find a class near you.

Mastering Water Efficient Landscapes

 

FREE workshops for landscape designers, landscape architects, and landscape contractors.

Earn CEUs for you APLD, IA, ISA, QWEL and NALP certifications!

This landscape training focuses on mastering the basic elements of water efficient landscaping for new California landscapes. As more outdoor California building ordinances are imposed on new landscapes and the landscape industry, this training focuses on creating and maintaining water efficient landscapes. The workshop will cover all the essential elements to help landscape professionals comply with the MWELO, design, build and maintain healthy, water efficient landscapes for California’s “new normal”.

Visit the California Landscape Contractors Association for available classes.