According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend about $2 million buying flowers for Valentine’s Day each year. That’s more than chocolate/candy and more than cards as well! We thought it might be worth taking a deeper look into the flower industry this Valentine’s Day; specifically, the environmental impact of those $2 million spent! Did…

The holiday festivities are now only a memory. The presents have all been opened. Friends and family are on their way home. You’re getting ready for the new year! It’s time to begin thinking about taking down the decorations and what you should do with the Christmas tree. Fortunately, LA Sanitation allows you to recycle…

In anticipation of potential rains this season (fingers crossed), we want to make sure that you and your rain barrel are ready! If you DON’T have a rain barrel – we highly encourage getting one for your home. They are low-cost systems that help preserve local watersheds by reducing rainwater runoff. The Metropolitan Water District…

Leaves on trees will start changing colors. Mornings will develop a brisk chill. The holiday spirit will soon fill the air. Keep an eye out, for these are the signs that fall has arrived. September 22nd was officially the first day of fall, and although we Southern Californians know that summer often extends through September…

Autumn is the perfect season to start a native garden. The soil is still warm, which helps the root system of young plants grow healthy and strong, and the outdoor temperature turns cooler, putting less stress on the new plantings. And fall is water-wise. Shorter days, milder temperatures and (knock on wood) the occasional rain…

The recent local fires and Santa Ana wind conditions here in Southern California are a reminder that fire season is here. Additionally, the increased vegetation in local hills as a result of the heavy rains this last winter means that there’s more fire fuel out there. To keep Angelenos safe during the next few months,…

From recycling wrapping paper to composting our Christmas tree, we’ve all heard ways that we can make our holidays “greener.”  And, while we should all continue to make these “green” practices a part of our holiday traditions, this year, we’re challenging Angelenos to take it one step further. Here are some fun and simple ways…

June 21 is the official start of summer with the longest day of the year. While we often get moments of cloudiness with our “June gloom,” the summer sun can beat down and heat you up. During the drought, it’s especially important to care for the trees that provide us (and our city) with needed…

With all the recent talk about California’s historic drought, we’re all pretty familiar about water-wise gardening. But with scorching summer heat and barbecues, have you prepared your garden to be fire-wise as well? Below are four fire-wise tips to keep your family and home safe during this season of burgers on the barbie: Assess Your Fire Risk.…

Replace the toilet with a low-flow model: check. Install aerators on all of the faucets: done. Lower those showers to 5 minutes: who needs more time than that? Now that many of us have become water-saving warriors inside the house, it’s time to tackle the next drought-fighting frontier—outside in the yard. A growing number of…