Rubber Bark™ and Water Conservation in California

Water conservation has been an ongoing struggle in California. The landscaping industry is in a unique position to offer alternatives to grass and organic mulch in yards, parks, golf courses and other community spots that waste thousands of gallons of water a day. Below is a press release about information regarding water conservation and inorganic mulches. Also, after the release, is some information about an agricultural bill that just passed California's Senate which prevents policies from banning artificial turf, in another effort to conserve California's depleting water resources.

California’s New Water Conservation Efforts Shine Light On Alternative Landscape Options

 BALLICO, CA (August 22, 2010) — Recently, California began implementing new water policies that will have broad-reaching effects on the state’s water resources. In order to save water from evaporation, whether it’s been in the agricultural fields of California’s 250 crops, or residential yards, alternatives to daily irrigation are imperative to making water resources viable in the future.

Beyond the old approaches of only watering on certain days or allowing runoff on fallow fields, new alternatives are saving California’s water while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

 Rubber Bark™ by Ag Link is landscape mulch made from millions of California’s recycled tires, which has become the preferred mulch to use in order to decrease evaporation and keep soil healthy year-round.

 “Rubber Bark™ is an environmentally friendly product. It takes a waste product (old tires) and turns them into a water saving opportunity while providing real positive characteristics and aesthetics to a landscape or playground of any size,” said Rob Nairn, Chief Financial Officer of Rubber Bark™.

 According to the California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative, mulching is seen as one of the best ways to minimize evaporation and improve soil structure.

 “It’s really effective,” said Julie Saare-Edmonds, Landscape Specialist at California’s Department of Water Resources, about mulching. “[It] keeps the soil cool, and blocks out weeds, creating less competition for water.”

 Reducing water demand is one of the main strategies proposed by California’s Department of Water Resources to help curb water depletion. Landscaping measures are an essential part of the conservation efforts.

 Rubber Bark™ is a long-term solution to drought management. It does not deteriorate like organic mulches, and stays in place during inclement weather and flooding. Rubber Bark™ is available at landscape and playground supply centers and online.

Assembly Bill 1793 was passed in the California State Senate last week, with a main focus on allowing artificial turfs in order to conserve water resources.  Many of the benefits of artificial turfs, which are used primarily for sporting fields such as football stadiums and golf courses, are the same as inorganic mulches such as Rubber Bark™.

Some of those benefits, along with a decrease use of water, are eliminating repairs such as lawn patches and irrigation systems and a decrease use of pesticides and fertilizers, Also, the ability to use artificial turfs and mulches in places where traditional grass wouldn't thrive such as spots where water is not available, or places with insufficient drainage, is another benefit with regard to conserving water.

The bill will be presented to the governor for signature at the end of August or in September. We will keep updating on the complete passage of this bill as things develop.