More than 1,000 square feet of thirsty lawn at the State Capitol will be converted via sheet mulching Monday, September 14, as part of a turf replacement demonstration project being put on by the California Department of General Services. The event is the latest effort undertaken by state government to lead by example during the ongoing drought and will also serve as the kick off for Save Our Water’s new public awareness campaign encouraging Californian’s to “Fix it for Good” and make permanent changes to save water.

This summer, Save Our Water encouraged Californians to take extraordinary steps to save water and let their lawns go “California Gold” as part of its “Let It Go” and “Turn It Off” campaign. As California shifts into fall, the program is building on the water conservation momentum over the summer and moving to a more permanent change-focus with the “Fix It For Good” message. The campaign will urge Californians to rethink their yards, go water efficient with new toilets and fixtures and fix leaks. Save Our Water is California’s statewide conservation education program and is a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources.

Sheet mulching is an environmentally friendly lawn conversion technique that does not require hauling away the old turf or using chemicals to kill it. Sheet mulch helps turn the soil into a sponge, rich in organic matter that infiltrates and holds water in the soil. By using the sheet mulch process, this one lawn conversion alone will help sequester more than a ton of carbon.

WHAT: Grounds crews from the California Department of General Services will perform a sheet mulching demonstration project and officials from Save Our Water will launch a new water conservation awareness campaign.

WHERE: East “lawn” area of the state Capitol. Between fish pond and state Capitol eastern entrance.

WHEN: Monday, September 14

Media Availability at 10:30 a.m .

Water conservation expo for members of the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.