Rosemont residents will soon be able to take advantage of free workshops and at-home consultations to learn more about ways to save water–and they’ll be the only ones in the county who can do so.

Rosemont has been selected for the Regional Water Authority’s Blue Thumb Program, which will provide a series of June workshops on sustainable landscape design, efficient watering and choosing the right plants for the climate, said Christine Kohn, Blue Thumb Neighbors Program Coordinator. The program is also sponsored by the River-Friendly Landscaping Coalition.

“What we’re doing is looking for folks to participate in this program that is all about creating beautiful landscape that’s sustainable, too,” Kohn said.

She said Rosemont was chosen after the Regional Water Authority, which includes 22 area water providers, narrowed the choices down to three finalists: a neighborhood in Carmichael, a neighborhood in Citrus Heights and Rosemont. Rosemont was nominated by California American Water, Kohn said.

“Ultimately, we were impressed with the enthusiasm of the Rosemont Community Association,” she said. “We had the sense from the leaders that we talked to that it’s a program that really would be embraced by the community.”

The free at-home consultations, which will provide tips on efficient watering practices, will begin in early May, Kohn said.

The open workshops will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 9, 16 and 23 in the UC Davis Cooperative Extension, 4145 Branch Center Rd.

Blue Thumb staff will also be going door-to-door on coming Saturdays to provide more information about the program and invite residents to participate.

Participants will also have a chance to win a free weather-based irrigation controller, donated by California American Water.

Kohn said the program, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, focuses on landscaping because of the huge amount of water that is used outdoors. She said 65 percent of water use is done outside, and of that, 30 percent is wasted.

“Many folks do not realize most water use and water waste occurs outdoors,” she said, adding the workshops also encourage residents to “look at landscape in a different light.”

Interested residents may contact Kohn at 916-944-1631 or ckohn@INCommunications.biz.