2008 WORKSHOPS

Workshops/Talks/Tours are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Registration is not necessary.

LOCATIONS:
All workshops/talks will be offered at: U of A South (UAS) 1140 N. Colombo Ave, Sierra Vista, in the Public Meeting Room.

• Workshops/Talks
• Tours
• Other Events
• FREE On-Site Visit

Workshops/Talks

Jan. 5, 9-11am: "Is there a National Water Crisis?" Is Georgia's water crisis an indication of what's to come in other areas of the U.S or just an isolated occurrence? Come find out with Dr. Gregg Garfin, Deputy Director of The University of Arizona's Institute for the Study of Planet Earth.

Feb. 2, 9-11am: "Water Wise Landscapes in 5 Easy Steps" Come learn how to put all the elements together to create a beautiful, low maintenance and water efficient landscape. Elements include design, plant use, alternative water sources and more. Cyndi Wilkins, Instructional Specialist, UA Extension Water Wise Program.

March 8, 9-12am: "Got Well Water?"If you depend on a residential well for water, this workshop is for you. Topics include: how groundwater works, water quality testing and understanding the results, water treatment systems, well protection and basic well maintenance. Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe, UA Extension Water Quality Specialist.

April is "Water Awareness Month!"

April 5, 9-11:30 am: "Drip Irrigation for Homeowners". Drip irrigation systems are great - if you know how to use them! This workshop will cover water/soil relationships, identify the components of a drip system and have a hands-on session. Dr. Stephen Poe and Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe, UA Extension Specialists.

April 19, 9-11am: "Get the Timing Right - Irrigation Controllers". This hands-on workshop will teach you how to schedule an irrigation controller. There are different brands of controllers, but most use the same basic programming. It is hard to have a water wise landscape if you aren't in control of your controller! Cado Daily and Cyndi Wilkins, UA Extension Water Wise Program.

June 7, 9-11am: "Harvest Rain!" Plants love rainwater and you will too when you use rainwater instead of precious groundwater for landscape plants. At this workshop you will learn how to make "active" (container) and "passive" (earthworks) systems. Make sure to plan on the July 12th tour too! Carmen Miller and Cado Daily, UA Extension Water Wise Program.

Aug. 2, 9-11am: "Plants, Plants, Plants!" Always popular, this workshop will show you many plants that are perfect for Cochise County landscapes. From low water plants to mini-oasis plants, choosing the right plant for the right place will make your landscape water wise. Cathy Stuckey, owner of Butterfly Gardens, Inc.

Oct. 4, 9-10:30am: "Integrating and Using Gray Water". Designing a new home? Have a home that is plumbed for gray water but you don't know what to do with it? If so, then come to this workshop to learn how. Judy Guentzler-McCrum, American Institute of Architects, owner of Guentzler-McCrum Concept Group.

Nov. 1, 9-11am: "Septic Care". Thinking that you've never needed to pump your septic system doesn't mean that is a good thing. Septic systems need regular maintenance. How septic systems work and how to maintain them will be discussed at this workshop. Dawn Long, owner of American Septic Service.

Tours

Xeriscape (Low Water Landscape) Self Guided Tours: Sunday, May 4 and September 7, 1 - 4pm. Sponsored by Water Wise and Cochise County Master Gardeners. Free. Low water use landscapes, called Xeriscapes (pronounced Zir- ih -scapes - remember, there is no " zero" in Xeriscape!), can be colorful, evergreen, soft, easy care and wildlife friendly. Come see beautiful and creative Xeriscape landscapes in May and September. When you visit these yards, you will be astonished at how much choice you have in creating your very own water wise yard. Docents will be at each yard to answer questions and plant lists will be available. Bring a camera!

Rainwater Harvesting Tour: July 12. Come see rainwater harvesting systems on this free tour.

For a map and details on the tours, contact a Cooperative Extension office listed below.

Other Great Events

February 15 & 16: "High on the Desert" Cochise County Master Gardeners Association conference. Call a Cooperative Extension office for details. Registration and fee required. Location: Windemere Hotel, Sierra Vista.

May and September: Wildflower and Grass ID Walk. Cost: $5. Cochise County Herbarium botanists. Call the Sierra Vista Cooperative Extension office for details.

Free On-Site Visits

For Cochise County Residents: Water Wise Specialists are available to visit your home or business and help you do what you want, but more water efficiently. To schedule a FREE on-site visit, call the Water Wise Program at any of the four county locations listed below. A qualified water conservation educator will visit your home or business and give tips specific to you!

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Water Wise Office County Locations:

University of Arizona South
1140 N. Colombo
Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635
520-458-8278 x 2141
cdaily@ag.arizona.edu

Cochise County Building
450 S. Haskell, Willcox, AZ 85643
520-384-3594

U of A Douglas (Douglas Library)
558 E. 10th St. , Douglas, AZ 85607
520-364-4146

NRCD Office (by ALCO)
306 S. Ocotillo, Benson, AZ 85602
520-586-3467

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.