Witter Ranch Chosen For "Blue Thumb Neighbors" Program

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
The Witter Ranch neighborhood in Natomas has been selected to participate in “Blue Thumb Neighbors” program sponsored by the city and Regional Water Authority.
The project will teach residents there how to create river-friendly landscapes which compliment their homes and neighborhood. River-friendly landscaping is an approach to landscaping using practices which promote healthy soil, reduce water waste and prevent pollution of the air and waterways.
Each participating household will receive a free at-home consultation on efficient watering, sponsored by the city, and education and resource kits during three workshops. The workshops will cover sustainable landscape design, efficient irrigation and proper plant selection.

“When we first heard of this program, we knew that Natomas was an ideal candidate area,” said Dave Brent, interim director of the city’s Department of Utilities.

“When we approached Witter Ranch, their enthusiasm proved we were right,” Brent said. “We look forward to working with them and helping them to implement real changes that will make a difference in their water use and their monthly utility bills.”

Neighborhoods throughout the city were nominated for the program and then evaluated according to 13 criteria such as whether the neighborhood is metered and representative of other communities in the Sacramento region. After interviews with leaders at top-ranked neighborhoods, program sponsors selected Witter Ranch.

“We were impressed with Witter Ranch’s sense of community pride, neighborhood association leaderships and existing system of communication,” said Regional Water Efficiency Program Manager Linda Yager.

Blue Thumb Neighbors representatives will be going door-to-door on Saturday, Sept. 17 to provide more information about the program and invite residents to participate. 

The free at-home consultations, which will provide tips on irrigation scheduling and efficient watering practices, will begin in September. The open workshops will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on October 11, 18 and 25 at the Witter Ranch Elementary School Multipurpose Room at 3790 Poppy Hill Way.
Witter Ranch was the only neighborhood selected in Sacramento for the 2011 Blue Thumb Neighbors program.

Interested residents may contact Blue Thumb Neighbors Program Coordinator Christine Kohn at 916-944-1631 or [email protected] to learn more or sign up.

Blue Thumb Neighbors Witter Ranch Flyer UPDATED 082611[1]

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