Last summer, Pierce Conservation District partnered with Tacoma Water, the City of Tacoma, and Pierce County, to launch the Golden Lawn program. This community effort encouraged residents and businesses to save water by letting lawn go dormant during the summer months. Participants who pledged to let their lawn go golden received a free yard sign to show their support for water conservation and commitment to helping the environment. 

Why Go Gold?

Besides saving water, here are some other great benefits of letting your lawn go dormant:

Save Money on Utility Bills & Maintenance Costs

It is estimated that almost one-third of all residential water in the United States is used for landscape irrigation. Water bills commonly increase in the summer due to this high usage, and lawn fertilizers and fuel for gas mowers only add to the cost. A drought tolerant lawn requires less watering, less mowing and no fertilizer. What will you do with your savings instead? 

 Protect Puget Sound 

Toxic runoff is the #1 source of pollution in the Puget Sound. Reducing or eliminating the amount of lawn mower gas, lawn fertilizer, and herbicides used on your property means fewer pollutants entering our streams through excess irrigation and stormwater runoff when the rains return. 

Climate Resiliency

As summer temperatures increase and droughts intensify, we need to work together to protect the quantity and quality of our fresh water supplies to help our region respond to changing conditions.

How Do I Care for My Golden Lawn?  

Many lawns in our region can survive the summers without water. They'll turn gold during drought but will re-green in winter. If you're not ready to completely stop watering your lawn, you can still drastically reduce the amount of water you'd normally use for your lawn by watering only once a month. This can also reduce any weeds with long, water-seeking taproots, such as dandelion. Be sure to water any new shrubs and trees in your yard for at least the first three summers to make sure they stay healthy during hot weather.

More Ways to Get Involved 

Pierce Conservation District

• Learn more about how you can go beyond lawn by growing an urban wildlife habitat.
• Get up to $4,000 with a Green Stormwater Mini Grant to help you transform your lawn into urban habitat and more.
• Discover ecological gardening tips and get inspired by local green stormwater stories in our Waterwise newsletter. 

 Tacoma Water

• Follow water-efficient yard care tips and review water-saving resources.  
• Find and fix leaky spigots, hoses, and sprinkler systems.
• Install a smart irrigation controller and apply for our product rebate.
• Learn simple ways to save water in your home and outdoors.

 City of Tacoma

• Learn how sustainable yard care can help prevent harmful stormwater pollution from flowing to Puget Sound.
• Explore our tree incentive programs and urban forestry projects. 
• Find out about the benefits of TAGRO products and how to use them. 
• Support our EnviroChallenger program which offers free lessons to Tacoma Schools. 
• Discover grants and programs that support environmental sustainability efforts.