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Letter from the (Guest) Editor Xeriscape Celebrates a Milestone WaterWise asked Richard Johnson, editor of Denver Water's Pipeline and WaterNews, to share some thoughts about Xeriscape 's 251 anniversary. If you can suffer the pun, let us say that since its inception 25 years ago, Xeriscape has blossomed — from a waterwise landscaping solution for the Colorado environment to a popular concept of international proportions. As water availability becomes more of an issue worldwide, Xeriscape has emerged as one of the best solutions to bridging the gap between supply and need. Xeriscape grew out of the extremely dry 1980 -81 winter, when Denver Water and members of the Green Industry recognized that water usage habits must change along the semiarid Front Range. They came up with a clever name and a program for matching a landscape with its climate. People have learned that a properly irrigated Xeriscape design of colorful, beautiful plants saves water. Xeriscapes have as much variety as the imagination commands, and can be just as green as traditional landscapes. There is a wide selection of water - efficient types of turf to trim any setting. Marking Xeriscape's silver anniversary, communities all over Colorado are holding seminars, clinics, tours, symposiums, classes, expositions, parties, open houses (gardens), workshops, plant sales, displays and even a tea. Many of them are listed in this issue of WaterWise and will be in the summer issue as well. We hope you'll take the opportunity to join us as we wish Xeriscape a very happy birthday! New Water Conservation Organization to be Headquartered in Chicago U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Executive Director of the California Urban Water Conservation Council Mary Ann Dickinson, today announced that the headquarters of a new water conservation organization will be in Chicago. The organization, the Alliance for Water Efficiency, will be a clearinghouse and advocate for water efficiency research, evaluation and education. "Wise water use means more than just turning off a dripping faucet. Water efficiency is a smart, cost - effective solution to the quality and supply challenges facing one of our nation's most precious natural resources," said Administrator Johnson. "Together with partners like the Alliance for Water Efficiency, EPA is promoting the ethic of conserving our water resources -- ensuring the availability of clean water for future generations of Americans." "Water conservation is an important issue in Chicago as exemplified by our Water Agenda," said Mayor Daley. "We look forward to welcoming the alliance to Chicago and continuing to work on this important issue." "We are delighted we could work with stakeholders nationwide to develop the goals and programs for a new national organization focused on water efficiency," said Executive Director Dickinson. "There is extraordinary interest from a wide variety of groups including water suppliers, government officials, environmentalists, plumbing and appliance manufacturers, irrigation professionals, and building developers to pull together a program of water efficiency options that will benefit the nation as a whole." For more information on EPA's water conservation program: http: / / /www_epa. gov /owm /water- efficiencv