The Botanical Research Institute of Texas and the Fort Worth Water Department are partnering to sponsor the third annual EcoScape residential summer landscape contest to find the homeowner with the most creative, attractive, and water efficient lawn in the area. The contest runs from June 14, 2015 to August 16, 2015 and will be judged on three key criteria:

1.     Design – aesthetic appeal; composition; use of color and plant variety;

2.     Water Conservation – efficient irrigation/water use; use of non-vegetative materials such as fences, walls, walks, etc.; use of native and/or adapted plants; reduced turf area; and use of mulches; and

3.     Appropriate Maintenance – healthy landscape, no weeds; plants pruned as appropriate.

This is an effort to raise awareness of wasteful water usage and to challenge area homeowners to create water efficient landscape to reduce water consumption. It is estimated that half of the total household water use during the summer months goes to landscapes.

Residents with 1,000-square-foot (or larger) front yards are eligible and are invited to submit their water efficient yards that use native/adaptive plants and mix according to color, aesthetic appeal, and plant variety.

The EcoScape Contest is open to residential landscapes within Fort Worth city limits and Fort Worth’s wholesale customer cities, including Aledo, Bethesda Water Supply Corp., Burleson, Crowley, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Everman, Forest Hill, Grand Prairie, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lake Worth, Northlake, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Roanoke, Saginaw, Southlake, Trophy Club Municipal Utility District, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village and White Settlement.

Applications are available online at the City of Fort Worth Water web site (http://fortworthtexas.gov/EcoScape/).