With climate change altering the timing and volume of precipitation, climate-resilient urban landscapes and water supply strategies are critical – particularly for those who depend on imported water like Southern California. The Pacific Institute & CEO Water Mandate are leading a collaboration with the Southern California business community to motivate the installation of landscapes on corporate properties that provide multiple benefits, such as water conservation, enhancing stormwater capture, improving water quality, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These landscapes represent a highly visual way for the business community to showcase its commitment to sustainability and will help to promote similar actions by residents and others.

This project is now in Phase 2, the implementation phase. Throughout 2019, the project team and participating companies will work with local partners to install, and measure the outcomes of, sustainable landscapes on the participating properties. We are actively recruiting companies with facilities in the Santa Ana River Watershed to participate in the project (participation does *not* mean a priori commitment to investing in landscape changes). If your company is interested in getting involved, please email Cora at ckammeyer@pacinst.org.

Project Results

Phase 1 Outputs

Report: Sustainable Landscapes on Commercial and Industrial Properties in the Santa Ana River Watershed

Interactive Online Mapping Tool: https://pacinst.org/santa-ana-benefits-map/

Phase 2 Anticipated Results

The project team will work with companies to install sustainable landscapes on their properties.

After installation, the project team will continue to work with the companies to track progress on the new landscapes and collect data needed to support a robust analysis of the conversion over time, including ongoing costs and benefits. Based on outcomes and lessons learned through this initiative, the project team will identify and pursue policies and other strategies for larger scale implementation of the sustainable landscape approach.

The work will also result in a final report on project outcomes and key policy recommendations, intended for policy and decision makers, water managers, and researchers throughout the United States and beyond.