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    Learn the best ways to save water indoors and outdoors.
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    Access Valley Water
    Easily send requests, reports or feedback directly to helpful district staff.
    Rebates & Surveys
    Programs and rebates helping you save water and money.
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    Learn the best ways to save water indoors and outdoors.
    Current Water Charges
    Valley Water is funded by property taxes, well owners, agricultural water customers and water retailers like San Jose Water Company
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    Find district events happening on variety of topics
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    Catch up on all the latest list of articles and blog posts
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    Stay up to date with the latest videos from the district
    Public Records
    Public Records feature many commonly requested documents and data sets.
    Recent News
    Image
    Box culvert in West Little Llagas Creek
    A look at a completed flood wall as part of the Coyote Creek Flood Management Measures Project.
    January 23, 2026
    Valley Water’s annual Capital Improvement Program: Projects to reduce flood risk 

    Editor’s Note: This is the first in a three-part series highlighting some of the projects included in the Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Preliminary Five-Year Plan.

    Read More
    Image
    Valley Water completes erosion repair project along Saratoga Creek in fall 2025
    January 21, 2026
    Providing flood protection through ongoing stream maintenance projects

    Each summer, under the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP), Valley Water takes important steps to protect neighborhoods from flooding. Over time, sediment can accumulate in creeks, reducing their capacity to carry stormwater. During heavy rains, this can lead to an increased risk of flooding for nearby homes, roads and businesses.

    Read More
    Image
    Mockups Design
    January 7, 2026
    Discover how Valley Water is building climate resilience; read the latest biennial report

    Valley Water’s mission is to provide safe, clean water, protect against flooding, and care for local streams. Climate change is affecting this mission. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, more severe droughts, a declining Sierra Nevada snowpack and rising sea levels all impact water reliability, infrastructure, and ecosystem health throughout Santa Clara County.

    Read More
  • About Valley Water
    Highlights
    Mission, Vision and Values
    Learn about our core mission, vision for the future, and the values that guide us
    Board of Directors
    Meet the board members who provide leadership and oversight for the district
    Finance/Budget
    Access financial information, budgets, and fiscal reports for transparency
    Committees
    Explore our various committees and their roles in district governance
    Board Meetings, Agendas & Minutes
    Review meeting schedules, agendas, and official minutes from board meetings
    Leadership
    Board of Directors
    Board Meetings Agendas & Minutes
    Committees
    Redistricting
    Board Governance Policies
    Accountability
    Public Records
    Lobbyist Ordinance
    Grand Jury Reports
    Enterprise Systems
    Information & Resources
    Finance/Budget
    Capital Improvement Program
    Public Facilities Financing Corporation
    Community Engagement
    Renewed Safe, Clean Water & Natural Flood Protection: Independent Monitoring Committee
    Committees
    Community Partnering Sponsorship Program
  • Services and Support
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Home

Main navigation

    • FAQ
    • Permits and District Business
    • Valley Water Websites
  • For Residents
    Highlights
    Access Valley Water
    Easily send requests, reports or feedback directly to helpful district staff.
    Rebates & Surveys
    Programs and rebates helping you save water and money.
    Water Conservation
    Learn the best ways to save water indoors and outdoors.
    Current Water Charges
    Valley Water is funded by property taxes, well owners, agricultural water customers and water retailers like San Jose Water Company
    Emergency & Planning
    Flood Emergency Action Plans
    Drought Information
    Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
    Get Flood Ready
    Preparation for Extended Power Outages
    Alert System Real Time Data*
    Levee Safety
    Save Water & Money
    Rebates & Surveys
    Watersavings.org
    Current Water Charges
    Water Savings Videos
    Indoor Conservation
    Outdoor Conservation
    Projects & Plans
    Projects In Your Neighbourhood
    Creek & River Projects
    Dam & Reservoir Projects
    Grants and Environmental Protection
    Infrastructure Improvement Projects
    Climate Change Action Plan
    Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Programs
    Studies and Reports
    Hydraulic Model Data (HEC)
    Stream Maintenance Program
  • Your Water
    Highlights
    Access Valley Water
    Easily send requests, reports or feedback directly to helpful district staff.
    Current Water Charges
    Valley Water is funded by property taxes, well owners, agricultural water customers and water retailers like San Jose Water Company
    Rebates & Surveys
    Programs and rebates helping you save water and money.
    Water Conservation
    Learn the best ways to save water indoors and outdoors.
    Water Sources
    Groundwater
    Imported Water
    Local Dams and Reservoirs
    Recycled and Purified Water
    Where your water comes from
    Information & Resources
    GIS Data
    Glossary of Water Terms
    District Library
    Popular Documents and Data
    Local Dams and Reservoirs
    Water Planning
    Water Supply Master Plan
    Water Supply Planning
    Water Treatment
    Water Treatment Plants
    Water Quality
  • Learning Center
    Highlights
    Access Valley Water
    Easily send requests, reports or feedback directly to helpful district staff.
    Rebates & Surveys
    Programs and rebates helping you save water and money.
    Water Conservation
    Learn the best ways to save water indoors and outdoors.
    Current Water Charges
    Valley Water is funded by property taxes, well owners, agricultural water customers and water retailers like San Jose Water Company
    Learning & Exploration
    Next Gen Career Pathways Program
    Water Education programs and Events
    Water 101 Academy
    Public Tours
    Local Dams and Reservoirs
    Volunteer Engagement
    Volunteer and Engage
    Valley Water Youth
    Commission
    Adopt a Creek
    Grants & Partnerships
    Public Art
    Environmental Science & Conservation
    Healthy Creeks and Ecosystems
    Watersheds of Santa Clara Valley
    The Water Treatment Process
    Aerial Drone Pilot Program
  • News & Events
    Highlights
    District News
    Learn more about the latest headlines and announcements from around the district
    Events
    Find district events happening on variety of topics
    Valley Water News Blog
    Catch up on all the latest list of articles and blog posts
    Videos
    Stay up to date with the latest videos from the district
    Public Records
    Public Records feature many commonly requested documents and data sets.
    Recent News
    Image
    Box culvert in West Little Llagas Creek
    A look at a completed flood wall as part of the Coyote Creek Flood Management Measures Project.
    January 23, 2026
    Valley Water’s annual Capital Improvement Program: Projects to reduce flood risk 

    Editor’s Note: This is the first in a three-part series highlighting some of the projects included in the Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Preliminary Five-Year Plan.

    Read More
    Image
    Valley Water completes erosion repair project along Saratoga Creek in fall 2025
    January 21, 2026
    Providing flood protection through ongoing stream maintenance projects

    Each summer, under the Stream Maintenance Program (SMP), Valley Water takes important steps to protect neighborhoods from flooding. Over time, sediment can accumulate in creeks, reducing their capacity to carry stormwater. During heavy rains, this can lead to an increased risk of flooding for nearby homes, roads and businesses.

    Read More
    Image
    Mockups Design
    January 7, 2026
    Discover how Valley Water is building climate resilience; read the latest biennial report

    Valley Water’s mission is to provide safe, clean water, protect against flooding, and care for local streams. Climate change is affecting this mission. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, more severe droughts, a declining Sierra Nevada snowpack and rising sea levels all impact water reliability, infrastructure, and ecosystem health throughout Santa Clara County.

    Read More
  • About Valley Water
    Highlights
    Mission, Vision and Values
    Learn about our core mission, vision for the future, and the values that guide us
    Board of Directors
    Meet the board members who provide leadership and oversight for the district
    Finance/Budget
    Access financial information, budgets, and fiscal reports for transparency
    Committees
    Explore our various committees and their roles in district governance
    Board Meetings, Agendas & Minutes
    Review meeting schedules, agendas, and official minutes from board meetings
    Leadership
    Board of Directors
    Board Meetings Agendas & Minutes
    Committees
    Redistricting
    Board Governance Policies
    Accountability
    Public Records
    Lobbyist Ordinance
    Grand Jury Reports
    Enterprise Systems
    Information & Resources
    Finance/Budget
    Capital Improvement Program
    Public Facilities Financing Corporation
    Community Engagement
    Renewed Safe, Clean Water & Natural Flood Protection: Independent Monitoring Committee
    Committees
    Community Partnering Sponsorship Program
  • Services and Support
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  3. Outdoor Conservation
  4. Workshops & Events

Workshops & Events

Content

At workshops and events hosted by Valley Water and our partners, both professional landscapers and residential customers can find resources for designing and developing sustainable landscapes and gardens. You'll find resources for:

  • Comprehensive sustainable landscaping resources and events from South Bay Green Gardens
  • Garden viewing events
  • Our annual Landscape Summit for professional landscapers

South Bay Green Gardens

Valley Water is proud to be part of the South Bay Green Gardens team.

The South Bay Green Gardens website provides one-stop-shop for sustainable landscaping. You can find a variety of Events, Garden Galleries, Landscape Design Ideas, Compost and Mulching Tips, and much more. 

Visit South Bay Green Gardens

Garden Viewing Events

Going Native Garden Tour

Each spring, the Going Native Garden Tour showcases California native plants.

Mountain View Green Garden Showcase Program

The Mountain View Green Garden Showcase Program highlights environmentally-friendly gardens inside Mountain View to be used as examples and inspiration for the community.

Landscape Summit

The Landscape Summit is an annual event developed through the Santa Clara Valley Water District's Landscape Committee.

It is a forum for professional landscapers to learn about water issues in the county and California as a whole, and how water relates to the landscaping industry. It's also an opportunity for Valley Water to get valuable feedback from landscape professionals, and for attendees to collaborate and exchange ideas.

View videos and presentation materials from the 2025 event:

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides and Timestamped Videos
    • Welcome and opening remarks - Shelkie Tao, Landscape Committee Chair (00:00)
    • Board of Directors welcome - Vice Chair Richard Santos (05:30)
    • State of the Valley's Water - Assistant Officer Kirsten Struve (10:00)
    • Valley Water Conservation Program Updates - Senior Water Conservation Specialist Ashley Shannon (22:00)
    • Regenerative Agriculture: Solutions to Urban Landscapes - Dr Cynthia Daley (40:00) / Slides
    • Understanding the Past, Present, and Future of CA Landscaping Legislation (01:38:05) / Slides
    • Gardens for the Next Civilization - Story Wiggins (02:30:35) / Slides
    • Summit wrap and closing - Shelkie Tao (03:24:35)
  • Full presentation video
  • Speaker bios

 

View videos and presentation materials from the 2024 event:

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides and Timestamped Videos
    • Welcome and opening remarks - Shelkie Tao, Landscape Committee Chair (00:00)
    • Board of Directors welcome - Vice Chair Richard Santos (04:45)
    • State of the Valley's Water - Assistant Officer Kirsten Struve (13:30) / Slides 
    • Valley Water Programs: Overview and Updates - Senior Water Conservation Specialist Ashley Shannon (29:07) 
    • Let's Talk about Native Plants - Moderator Shelkie Tao (46:25)
      • Rebecca Shoenenberger, Owner, California Nativescapes (47:30) / Slides
      • Rachel Klassen, Nursery Manager, Central Coast Wilds (57:48) / Slides
      • Dan Greeley, Program Manager, City of San Jose and Rhonda Nourse, Executive Director, Happy Hollow Foundation (01:09:04) / Slides
    • How are we dealing with Non-Functional Turf? - Moderator, Brian Boyers, Superintendent, Cinnabar Hills Golf Club (01:21:08)
      • Philip Dolan, Water Conservation Specialist, Valley Water (01:32:0) / Slides
      • Loren McIrvin, CEO, Allied Landscape (01:42:30) / Slides
      • Shannon Rossow, Environmental Programs Coordinator, City of Morgan Hill (01:51:13) / Slides
      • Kyla Phillips, Account Manager, Newpath Landscape (02:03:00) / Slides
      • What are Climate-Ready Trees? Natalie van Doorn, Research Urban Ecologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (02:19:41)
    • Summit wrap and closing - Shelkie Tao (02:46:27)
  • Full presentation video

View videos and presentation materials from the 2023 event:

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides and Timestamped Videos
    • Reuse: Strategies for Using Less Water in the Landscape - Lori Palmquist, Irrigation Designer, Consultant and Educator (00:00)
    • Reuse: Integrating Advanced Greywater Systems into Landscape Installation Projects - Alan Hackler, Bay Maples: Wild California Gardens (37:22)
    • Replenish: Green Storm Water Infrastructure Design and Maintenance: Replenishing the Urban Landscape - Peter Schultze-Allen, EOA Inc. (01:10:00)
    • Summit wrap and closing (01:42:40)
    • State of the Valley's Water - Melanie Richardson, P.E., Former Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Water Management, Valley Water
    • Valley Water Programs: Overviews & Updates - Ashley Shannon, Senior Water Conservation Specialist, Water Supply Planning & Conservation, Valley Water
    • Laws and Landscape: What's New - Linda Vo, Program Manager, California Water Efficiency Partnership
       
  • Full presentation video

View videos and presentation materials from the 2022 event:

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides and Timestamped Videos
    • Brian Boyer - Welcome and Opening Remarks (00:00)
    • Board of Director's Welcome, Director Richard Santos (07:05)
    • State of the Valley's Water, Asst. CEO Melanie Richardson (10:10)
    • Question and Answer Session, Asst. Officer Kirsten Struve (23:12)
    • Valley Water Programs, Senior Water Conservation Specialist Ashley Shannon (30:55)
    • Keynote: Building a Resilient Silicon Valley, Erica Spotswood, Urban Nature Lab (49:13)
    • Poetry Interlude: Lorenz Dumuk (1:13:25)
    • How New State Laws will Impact the Landscape Community: Lisa Cuellar (1:21:20)
    • Introducing the Bloom! Campaign from the California Native Plant Society: Ann-Marie Benz (1:44:10)
    • Ask an Expert: Tips and Tricks for Native Plant Maintenance: Emmanuel Gomez (2:05:39)
    • Summit Wrap and Closing (2:24:28)
       
  • Full Presentation Video

View videos and presentation materials from the 2021 event:

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides
    • Welcome from Valley Water Board Director Richard Santos (0:00)
    • State of the Valley's Water by Kirsten Struve (1:22)
    • Our City Forest - Community Nursery and Lawn Busters Program by Gabby Fitts (11:49)
    • Water Conservation Programs by Ashley Shannon (48:38)
    • Smart Yards Education - Building Community through Hands-on Permaculture Education by Liliana Castañeda Rossmann & Elizabeth Sarmiento (1:10:50)
    • Save Our Water and Our Trees by Gabrielle Trudeau (1:43:05)
       
  • Presentation Videos

View videos and presentation materials from the 2020 event:

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides
    • Welcome, Dedication, and Water Supply Update
    • Climate Reality - Regeneration of the Landscape: Presentation not available for distribution upon request of the presenters, however the following plan details and resources have been provided by Studio Petrichor as a supplement to the recorded Climate Reality - Regeneration of the Landscape presentation by Shawn Maestretti and Leigh Adams. 
      • Calfire Guideline Specifications for Selecting, Planting, and Early Care of Young Trees 
      • Tree Crown Observation and Correction Detail (PDF) (for a DWG file, contact [email protected])
      • Tree Rootball Inspection and Circling Root Correction
    • Climate Positive Design by Kate Lenahan.
       
  • Presentation Videos

View videos and presentation materials from the 2019 event: 

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides
     
  • Presentation Videos

2019 Landscape Summit Speakers

The ReScape California Rated Landscape Program by Sarah Sutton, Landscape Architect and Board President, ReScape California.

Sarah Carolyn Sutton is a licensed Landscape Architect with over 35 years’ experience in sustainable landscape design and construction, from public parks, commercial development, and streetscapes, to open space and riparian corridor restoration. In addition, she is an active ReScape Rater and has been closely involved in the development and implementation of the Rating system and guidelines for over 10 years. Sarah is also the author of The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye!, an award-winning and well-illustrated guide to transforming lawn-centric front yards and communities to beautiful, eco-friendly, low maintenance gardens that conserve water, protect our watersheds, and enhance habitat values.

Maintenance and Design of Bioretention and Other Green Stormwater Infrastructure by Nicholas Ajluni, Senior Environmental Inspector, City of San Jose.

Nick Ajluni has worked for the City of San Jose Environmental Services Department for 8 years in various positions related to water resources management. Over the last 4 years, Nick has developed the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance Inspection Program for the City of San Jose. Nick holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University, as well as certifications as a Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI), Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) and is a Bay-Friendly Qualified Professional.

Sustainable Landscaping Success Through a Partnership Between Design, Installation, and Maintenance by Jenn Simmons, Operations & Senior Garden Manager, and Amy Palmer, VP Estate Garden Management of Ruskin Gardens

Amy joined her mother in the family business as a landscape design apprentice in 2000. She started the maintenance side of the business in 2001 after seeing so many of her mother’s gardens falling apart from a lack of care. Amy is a licensed landscape contractor, certified irrigation manager, has a B.S. in Physics from UCLA, and is fluent in Spanish. Her background in business systems and software development gives the business a technical edge.

Jenn, is a third-generation, San Jose, CA native. Growing up amongst the orchards of Santa Clara Valley, in a family that loved gardening. Her personal passion was inevitable and cultivated. Jenn enrolled at and graduated from Foothill College in 2013 with an AS in Environmental Horticulture. Jenn began at Ruskin Gardens as an intern in 2011 and is the Operations Manager and Senior Garden Manager. Amongst her talents are designing colorful containers, plant border design, and maintenance, pruning, control of plant pests and disease, managing the crews and expert client communication. With almost 20 years of experience, Jenn has transformed Ruskin Gardens Estate Garden Maintenance with Amy and Debbie for over 6 years.

Design and Maintenance Considerations for Fire-Safe Landscaping by BC Dwight Good, Fire Marshal, City of Morgan Hill.

Dwight Good, a Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of Morgan Hill, South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District, and CAL Fire Santa Clara Unit jurisdictions has received an AA, BS, and MS degrees and completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. Dwight is the Co-Chair of Northern California Fire Prevention Officers Wildland Urban Interface Standards and has published research, including work on Determining ignitability in organic groundcover materials. Dwight Good, a 2016 recipient of the Blue and Gold Award, moved to Morgan Hill two years ago with his wife, a resource specialist in the Gilroy School District, and his daughter and has three lovely grandchildren.

View videos and presentation materials from the 2018 event: 

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides
     
  • Video - Short Overview
     
  • Presentation Videos
     
  • Report 

View videos and presentation materials from the 2017 event: 

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides
     
  • Report

View videos and presentation materials from the 2016 event: 

  • Agenda
     
  • Slides
     
  • Report

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