Project Clearinghouse

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum Water Reduction

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

Water scarcity in California and globally requires citizens to work collaboratively toward attractive, functional, low-water landscapes. Our project will demonstrate how to improve irrigation technology and educate both students and public with hands-on applications.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Land, Habitat, Watershed
Awareness, Education & Engagement
Water
Project Status: 
In Progress
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
Arboretum & Botanic Garden/ Academic Affairs
Project Location: 
On campus

Arboretum and Botanic Garden


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Martin Quigley
maquigle@ucsc.edu
831-502-2314
Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Rick Flores
rflores@ucs.edu
831-502-2310
Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Brett Hall
brett@ucsc.edu
831-212-4853
Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Funding Sources: 
Campus Sustainability Plan Grant

Project Description: 

Using water saving technology we will detect leaks, repair lines and install new emitters, thereby conserving water throughout the garden. Students will participate in the work, public workshops will engage the community. This will result in a comprehensive web-based resource available through the Arboretum website.
Steps:
-Evaluate current system and water use, analyze daily and seasonal usage data
-Identify and repair leaks
-Install high-efficiency emitters
-Continue to monitor use with real-time software
-Summarize methods and outcomes in workshops and document to website via text and video

Metrics for Success: 

The campus's water monitoring program, Beacon, will provide ongoing metrics of water use. Emergency repairs and water loss to leakage will diminish. Students and community members will able to observe fieldwork and to participate in data collection. We will tally these hours.

The Arboretum website will be linked to the Beacon out-put and to our project components. The website also becomes a resource for education and reference for conservation in cities and suburbs.

Next Steps: 
-Evaluate current system and water use, analyze daily and seasonal usage data -Identify and repair leaks -Install high-efficiency emitters -Continue to monitor use with real-time software -Summarize methods and outcomes in workshops and document to website via text and video
Result Categories: 
Infrastructure/Built Environment
Technology
Education/Outreach
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

Through better irrigation distribution, new technology in emitters, and real-time tracking of water use, the Arboretum seeks to reduce water consumption in a garden setting. These methods and analyses will be accessible to students and the community via online database. The water savings will appear in the campus's Beacon radio-based water monitoring program.