Xeriscape and Irrigation Educational Opportunities#
Welcome to the XIP educational opportunities page. This page will be updated throughout the year with educational events that Fort Collins Utilities is hosting on waterwise landscaping. Many of these programs are free to participate in and open to the public.
You can learn from home with our pre-recorded classes on design, irrigation, and xeriscaping basics. Looking for something more? Find additional waterwise landscaping resources and events hosted in our region at the bottom of this page.
Sustainable Landscape Series#
Want to learn more about how to take action for the environment in your yard? Sign up for a free class in our Sustainable Landscape Series! There are classes on assessing your project site, turf removal, gardening for pollinators, gardening in the shade, and more.
All classes in the table below are hosted at 222 Laporte Avenue.
| Class | Date & Time | Description | Registration |
| Designing and Gardening in Dry Shade |
May 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
Learn about the best plants for dry shade in Northern CO, hot tips for increasing sunlight and how to keep your trees healthy. | Click here to sign up! |
| Designing and Installing Low Water Turf Types |
May 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
Learn about the different low-water turf types, as well as how to install and maintain turfgrass from seed, plug and sod. | Click here to sign up! |
| Designing and Landscaping in Parkway Strips | June 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Learn how to transform your parkway strip with low-water plants to save water and money. | Click here to sign up! |
Other Upcoming Opportunities#
| Class | Date & Time | Description | Registration |
| Xeriscape Bike and Walking Tours |
Bike Tours
Walking Tours
|
Visit 3-4 xeriscape gardens that have gone through the Xeriscape Incentive Program or were created by do-it-yourself gardeners. Free and open to the public. |
Bike Tours Walking Tours |
| Volunteer in the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden | Volunteer days are weekly spring through fall, and a smattering of indoor opportunities in the winter. | Volunteers will learn about plant identification, seed collection and cleaning, how to grow native plants from seed, pruning and transplanting. |
Apply to be a garden volunteer here. View volunteer shifts here. |
| Xeriscape Garden Party & NoCo Native Plant Swap |
June 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. |
Join us for live music, a plant swap, and lots of fun! Learn more at fcgov.com/gardenparty |
No registration required. Free to attend. Signups for upcoming volunteer events that support the plant swap can be found here.
|
Opportunities for Contractors#
| Class | Date & Time | Description | Registration |
| Installation and Maintenance of Native Grass | August 23, all day. |
Full day opportunity to learn more about native grass in the residential and commercial landscape including installation and maintenance. Morning training will take place at Northern Water in Berthoud. Guided native grass project tours will be offered in the afternoon. Geared toward Northern Colorado-based landscape and irrigation professionals. |
Registration coming soon. |
Recorded Classes#
Regional Educational Opportunities#
Resource Central’s Waterwise Yard Seminars: Free live and recorded webinars from Colorado landscape professionals throughout the year on a variety of waterwise garden topics.
Gardens on Spring Creek Adult Education: Design and plant your garden with water in mind! Find classes focused on waterwise landscape and water-conscious irrigation best practices to help make the most of this precious resource.
Wild Ones Front Range Chapter: Empowers Front Range residents to plant and promote native plant Coloradoscapes. They host educational events, a native plant landscaping toolkit, and free native plant & seed swaps across the Front Range.
Colorado Native Plant Society: Classes, events and resources dedicated to furthering the knowledge, appreciation and conservation of Colorado native plants and habitats.
CSU Extension Gardening Webinars: Online gardening classes taught by CSU extension agents are free and open to the public. Registration is required.
People and Pollinators Action Network: Webinars and educational events focused on sustainable landscaping and wildlife habitat. PPAN offers grants of up to $2000 for sustainable landscaping projects.
Audubon Rockies: Audubon’s Habitat Hero program teaches participants how to save water and create bird habitats in their landscapes.
Did You Know?
There are many ways to pay your bill, including online, in-person and by phone.
Purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances when replacing old ones helps you save energy and money without sacrificing performance.
Free sprinkler checkups are available to find ways to save water and improve system efficiency.