   
Visit the SmartScape web site
Local governments and other organizations throughout North Central Texas are encouraged to celebrate the 11th Annual "March is Texas SmartScape Month". This year's theme is "Beat the Drought, Go the Texas SmartScape Route. " SmartScape plants are native and adapted to the this area and need less water and fertilizers to thrive in our local climate. Throughout the region, events will be held to teach the "how's" and "why's" of SmartScaping. Find out more about SmartScape Month and how your local government or organization can participate by reading the FAQ section below.
Why is "March Texas SmartScape Month"?
A: SmartScape Month is a regionally coordinated effort to promote the water conservation, pollution prevention, recycling, composting, and waste reduction principles of Texas SmartScape. Since March is an active month for landscaping, this is an excellent opportunity to conduct public education and outreach on water conservation, pollution prevention, recycling, and composting.
During March, cities and other interested organizations are encouraged to plan events to disseminate the SmartScape message to their citizens. NCTCOG will conduct region-wide media promotion to announce all participants, and to demonstrate that we are all working together to improve and protect our water resources. Participants are highly encouraged to tailor the press release and other tools to conduct outreach to their local media contacts to increase local coverage of their event(s). Click to access the planning tool kit.
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How can my local government or organization participate in SmartScape Month?
A: Participation is voluntary. Your entity determines the participation level based on your resources and organizes an event(s) any day during the month of March. You then register your event on-line with NCTCOG to participate in the regional media promotion. NCTCOG will provide some of the planning tools to help you, but it's up to you to make your participation a success in your community. A SmartScape planning tool kit containing graphics, photos, sample PSAs, and other resources are available. Click to access the tool kit.
If your organization is interested in participating in SmartScape Month please contact Tracy Michel, NCTCOG, at tmichel@nctcog.org or (817) 695-9107.
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What are some suggestions for how I can participate in SmartScape Month?
A: Below are just a few ideas to help plan your participation.
- Provide a link to the SmartScape web site (www.txsmartscape.com) from your home page.
- Team with local Keep Texas Beautiful coordinator, local newspaper, or garden club to organize a yard contest or recognition program.
- Send a postcard with contact information for key city staff/departments to neighborhood associations. Let people know that city staff are available to talk about recycling, composting, storm water, water conservation, etc. at neighborhood meetings and special events.
- Offer to present SmartScaping workshops to employee groups at large local businesses.
- Ask businesses like Whole Foods and Central Market if you could provide informational literature on water quality.
- Ask large businesses in your community for contributions for the plants to install a SmartScape demonstration garden.
- Ask local homebuilders, realtors, and mortgage lenders to post a SmartScape web link from their home page, or provide a SmartScape brochure and/or bookmark to new homeowners.
- Ask local hardware, home improvement, and/or bookstores to setup a display with information on SmartScaping.
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What if my event is already planned for later in the spring?
A: Even if your city is planning a SmartScape related event later this year, you may still register your event on-line to benefit from the regional promotion that will be conducted.
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What events have already planned?
A: To view or add an event , click here.
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