Please reach us at beyondlawn@eccdistrict.org if you cannot find an answer to your question. Click the links to be taken to evaluation and rebate FAQs.
Beyond Lawn is for anyone looking to reduce outdoor water use, reduce non-functional turf, and improve the natural and aesthetic value of our landscapes. While evaluations and rebates are targeted for existing landscapes and irrigation systems specifically, there are plenty of ways to get involved—events, workshops, HOA engagement, and more!
There are plenty of ways to still have a lush landscape while reducing outdoor water use. We encourage participants to work with their environments, whether they live in East Vail or Dotsero, and that is going to look different for everyone. Ultimately, we are working towards creating healthy, living landscapes that use water wisely and efficiently, that celebrate our native biodiversity, and that improve our community's resilience to a changing climate.
The amount of water saved varies widely based on prior use and the actions taken to reduce consumption. Updating and actively managing your irrigation schedule yields immediate results and can usually save 10-20% or more. Updating your system components and hardware and converting zones often costs more in the short term, but pays for itself in water savings within a couple of years—especially if your property falls within higher pricing tiers during summer months.
Turf exists in our landscapes for a reason! We don't advocate for the removal of functional turf—if kids or dogs play on it or it's used frequently for exercise or entertaining, then it serves a purpose. If it's only walked on when it's mown or used mainly for aesthetic appeal, there are alternatives that will still look good, save water and money, and contribute more to the health and biodiversity of our mountain ecosystem.
High water use and high maintenance usually go hand-in-hand. Turf grows quickly, so it must be watered, mowed, weeded, and fertilized frequently. Less thirsty (and native) plants tend to grow more slowly, require less fertilizer, and do not need to be mowed or maintained very regularly. THEY STILL REQUIRE SOME UPKEEP — there is no such thing a no-maintenance garden, but converting to waterwise landscapes results in lower inputs and maintenance more often than not.
No need to tackle your landscape all at once! Conversions are best approached in stages. Start with a small area, learn from the process, and repeat as necessary.
Not at all! Turf replacement is voluntary and recommended where it is hard to grow, non-functional, in poor health, or in areas that are hard or inefficient to irrigate. Turf has value in our landscapes, but it should be used more strategically in areas with demonstrable benefit.
Planning can happen anytime, but it's best to anchor around the optimal times to plant—late spring and early fall—and work back from there. See the Beyond Lawn Waterwise Design and DIY guides to help you plan and execute your landscape transformation.
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