Since March, 2008, Liana Lopez of the Upper Merced River Watershed Council, a project of the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District, has worked with dedicated volunteers to design and create conservation landscape techniques.

At the site, residents can view examples of best management practices (BMPs) such as erosion control, water conservation, and native plant gardening techniques that can be implemented on theirown property.

The project was funded through the Sierra Nevada Alliance. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Mariposa County Fairgrounds allowed use of the building and space at 5039 Fairgrounds Road as the "model home."

The site is open every day. Visitors can get inspired to create a yard that attracts wildlife and displays beautiful, carefree vegetation, all while reducing non-point source pollution through best management practices. A free brochure on hand at the site will guide gardeners through the features in each area of the project. The brochure includes information to help eliminate the guesswork - techniques, materials, cost estimates, and a native plant list.

Information will soon be available about an upcoming workshop in which watershed council staff will help residents in designing their own home landscape based on the concepts demonstrated at the project.

For more information about this project or to schedule a presentation for an organization, contact Lopez at the Upper Merced River Watershed Council at 966-2221, watershed@sti.net, or www.mercedriver. org.

Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board.