This LA Couple is on a Mission

LA Times. June 14, 2019. By Lisa Boone: Plant a native; help save Los Angeles. That’s Cassy and Kirk Aoyagi’s mission.
They’re not alone. All over Southern California, gardeners are removing their turf lawns and replacing them with indigenous plantings, prompted by turf removal rebates, the opportunity to combat climate change and, as Kirk says, “just doing the right thing.”

Fire-Resilience Strategies

Malibu Surfside News. May 2, 2019. By Barbara Burke: Homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the Woolsey Fire gathered on Friday, April 27, at the Malibu City Hall to participate in Rebuilding Resilience: A Hands-on- Workshop with Green Architects and Engineers.
The program was co-hosted by Global Green, an environmental organization that fosters a shift toward a sustainable future; the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LA); and The City of Malibu’s Environmental Sustainability Department.

Fire Proofing Your Home

LA Times. May 2, 2019. By Lisa Boone: As Los Angeles homeowners prepare to trim grass, weeds and trees for the annual brush clearance inspections in May and June, the L.A. County Fire Department’s Forestry Division advises moving beyond standard procedures when it comes to reducing wildfire risk.

7 Gorgeous Gardening Trends

Realtor.com. May 17, 2019. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: Just the way fashion hems rise and fall and the color of the year switches from a zesty green to a provocative purple, trends in the gardening world are ever shifting. More formal designs with monochromatic flower beds might be tops for several years, only to be followed by wild grasses and leafy plantings the next. So what’s in this summer?

5 Ways Your Outdoor Space Is Secretly Stressing You Out

Realtor.com. May 16, 2019. By Lauren Sieben: Your outdoor space should be your sanctuary: a chill spot for relaxing with a book, enjoying a glass of wine, or hosting a barbecue with friends.

But even if you scored your dream balcony or a sprawling backyard, there are ways your outdoor oasis could actually be stressing you out. This is not only a potential bummer, but also a wasted opportunity: Research shows that more time outdoors can have a therapeutic effect—if you’re doing it right.

14 Thoughtfully Designed Cities

Your Green Pal. May 10, 2019. By Gene Caballero: It is no secret, that the American Landscape includes a lot of amazing cities. So we picked a few select cities which really stood out above the rest.

Here are s ome very thoughtfully designed cities and their stories, as told by the people that live there.

8 Houseplants That Clean the Air, Make You Happy

Realtor.com. May 8, 2019. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: Houseplants, lovely as they are, can be the bane of a homeowner’s existence. They collect dust, outgrow their containers—and then they die. But if you cultivate the right kinds of greenery, you might just garner more happiness, cleaner air to breathe, and other cool benefits.

8 Smart Choices for Curb Appeal

HouseLogic. By Jamie Weibe: Improving your home’s curb appeal brings immediate satisfaction. Plus, the financial benefits can be fabulous, too.

The challenge? Spending too much limits your ROI, yet going cheap could cost you more in redos. The key is to choose durable materials that’ll save you money over time while making your house look fab.

10 Trees Designers Love

Houzz. April 26, 2019. By Annie Thornton: Consider how beneficial planting a tree can be. Trees shade and cool our homes and streets, helping to mitigate the heat island effect and reduce reliance on air conditioning and other energy consumers. Trees also provide food and habitat to wildlife, capture carbon dioxide from the air, provide natural play areas, enhance curb appeal and add beauty and a feeling of place to gardens and communities.