- Author: Chris M. Webb
The County of Ventura Integrated Waste Management Division website is a great resource for the community. At the site you will find information about recycling, reusing and reducing waste. It is the spot to find out about local hazardous waste collection dates and locations. You will also find links to other programs and websites for more information and opportunities to reduce your carbon footprint – for both individuals and businesses.
On Saturday March 27, 2010 the County of Ventura Integrated Waste Management Division will be holding their 2010 Truckload Event. They will be selling backyard compost bins and rain harvesting barrels at a greatly reduced cost. Check the flyer for details.
Composting and rain harvesting are both great ways to improve water quality and water quantity.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Improving water quality is an important step towards building and maintaining sustainable natural ecosystems. We can all help reach water quality improvement goals by making small changes in our behavior. Small changes multiplied by many people make a big difference!
What is urban runoff? Urban runoff is the water that washes away all the chemicals we use, which then flows into storm drains and creeks and then out to the ocean. These chemicals include: home pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning products, oil and many other products. Urban runoff is a significant contributor to poor water quality.
This rainy season is a good time to think about our contributions to urban runoff and to make some small changes. Here are some good places to start:
- look into ways to reduce home pesticide use
- learn about composting to improve soil quality and possibly reduce the need for fertilizers
- find safer alternatives for cleaning products.
- keep mechanical equipment in good repair.
Our office has great resources to help further improve water quality.
A collection of "green sheets" designed to help people make small changes to improve water quality
Management Practices to Portect Water Quality: A Manual for Greenhouses and Nurseries
Orchard Water Quality Management
Please contact our office if you would like further information.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Compost provides many benefits for the home gardener and can be used in a variety of ways. Two UC ANR free publications provide great information.
Compost is good for your garden and the environment lists ways that composting is beneficial and how it can be used. Also included are instructions/guidelines on how to compost.
Compost in a hurry also explains how composting is beneficial, and provides instructions on ways that can speed up the composting process.
Either publication will help readers learn ways to decrease water usage, improve nutrient content of soil, reduce the need for pesticides, reduce waste, improve plant growth, reduce weeds, and more!
Sample of the various types of compost bins that a homeowner might use.
Dark, moist organic compost mulch in mound with shovel between ground cover beds in landscape.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
So you’d like to plant a vegetable garden but you don’t have room at home? Or maybe you do have room at home, but would enjoy some camaraderie while you plant and harvest? Community gardens can be a great solution to either of these situations.
Ventura County has lots of opportunities for those who would like to have a plot at a community garden. On the Ventura County UCCE website we offer a guide to local gardening resources, which can be found here.
In addition to available garden plots, this resource also includes contact information for groups such as the Grow Food Party Crew and the Ventura City Corps that assist others in establishing their own gardens. The UCCE Master Gardener Speaker’s Bureau is another great resource and is available for talks to groups on a variety of subjects.
Several local food banks are a great place to take your excess harvest. The food banks in turn can quickly deliver the fresh fruits and vegetables to outlets throughout our community for those in need. Local food bank contacts are also available in this resource.
Lastly there are many places one can find locally produced compost and mulch. David Goldstein, an environmental resource analyst for the County of Ventura explains the difference between compost and mulch in addition to providing details on how the products are produced. He also includes contact information to find locally produced compost and mulch -- some is free, and the costs of the others vary. Some places can even deliver directly to your home or community garden for an additional fee.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Monique Myers, Ventura County UCCE’s Costal Community Development Advisor has some great information to help us conserve water and reduce the flow of pollutants all at the same time!
Myers writes this on our website, “Water is a valuable resource in Southern California. It is important that we capture rainwater and allow it to soak into the ground where it can water plants and replenish groundwater supplies. Rain that falls on hard surfaces, such as buildings and asphalt, picks up pollutants as it flows. This 'stormwater' is then directed to storm drains and ultimately ends up polluting our streams and oceans."
Individuals can help conserve water and prevent polluted stormwater runoff through wise gardening and land-use practices. Our website provides some useful tips for Southern California residents.
Some of the suggestions are for large projects, and while you might not be in a position to tackle those changes now, the information may be useful to you in the future or may be of benefit for a friend or neighbor. Many of the other ideas, such as composting and natural planting, can be incorporated easily as time and resources allow.
Please follow this link http://www-csgc.ucsd.edu/BOOKSTORE/greensheets.html to see them.