CNGA Looseleaf Dec 2018 Jan 2019

15 LooseLeaf  December 2018/January 2019 colorad o nga.org and motivated; they’re just not ready to commit, and need more time to plan out their changes.” A total of 238 people attended classes and picked up certificates in 2018, which was 1.7 percent of those sent postcards. Though this is a better response rate than usual for postcard marketing, which is typically 1 percent, the staff had been optimistic that more would respond due to the $100 offer. Those who did participate in the program were surveyed before and after classes, and showed positive results, drastically increasing their awareness of the waterwise landscape and irrigation information, programs, and rebates offered by Colorado Springs Utilities. Plus, nearly all of the participants felt they had increased their understanding and motivation for using waterwise plant choices, efficient irrigation practices and effective landscaping techniques. “My hope is that we can have long- term relationships come out of the program,” Moravec explained. “We have gotten much more diverse participation than other programs. Some programs are more popular in specific areas, but participants for this are coming from throughout our service territory.” As of the end of September, four of the five partner nurseries had submitted invoices for reimbursement for certificates. While the number of customers using certificates this year was lower than expected, most customers made purchases for more than the value of the certificates. “The certificates are getting people to local nurseries to buy waterwise plants, and some are ending up spending up to $500 and $600 on materials,” she said. “I hope what is happening is they are seeing their local nursery as a resource to buy plants that will succeed here.” Colorado Springs Utilities received permission from the state Water Conservation Board to extend the grant and offer the program another couple of years. For 2019, it will start earlier in March and go through September again. “To me, this program is a real opportunity to make a stronger relationship between us and our local nurseries,” she concluded. “We need nurseries to grow and sell the right plants for the climate. We are acknowledging this dependency. We have all this new home development occurring; the more we can collaborate together and have a unified message, the better.” Heidrich’s Colorado Tree Farm Nursery