Burbank Water and Power Launches Turf Removal Program

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) is excited to launch its newest program, “Go Native!,” which provides Burbank residents with cash rebates for replacing live turf with a California Friendly landscape.

Residents can now apply to receive rebates of $1 per square foot, up to $1,000, for replacing some or all of their front yard with a California Friendly landscape. The California Friendly label applies to native and drought tolerant plants, non-invasive species, and other sustainable features, such as permeable surfaces. Residents will have a wide pool to choose from as to what type of project is appropriate for their budget, lifestyle, and yard type.

“Outdoor landscaping consumes most of the water in our thirsty climate. Go Native! can help our customers redo and renew their yards to reduce water use and save money. This is a great community program and, best of all, it is primarily grant-funded! This allows BWP to continue to focus resources on valuable initiatives and keep our rates competitive,” said Joanne Fletcher, Assistant General Manager of Customer Service.

In order to assist residents with their projects, BWP will be offering free landscaping workshops, open to all Burbank residents. At the workshops, residents can learn more about landscaping and turf replacement techniques, as well as specifics about the Go Native! program. The workshop will be taught by Tim Wheeler, an expert horticulturalist, and BWP staff will also be on hand to
answer any program related questions. The first workshop will be held on Saturday December 8, 2012 from 9am to noon at the Community Services Building, located at 150 North 3rd Street. Anyone interested in attending should contact BWP at 818-238-3730 to register.

The program is funded by Burbank Water and Power, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, California Department of Water Resources, and Bureau of Reclamation. For more information about the program, please visit http://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/incentives-for-residents/go-native.