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01.22.18

Ocean Friendly Gardens

The Ocean Friendly Gardens program (OFG) sees landscapes and streets as solutions to water pollution - and more. OFG standards use this simple approach everywhere possible: contouring landscapes for rainwater retention; creating living soil to sponge up water, filter pollution and sequester carbon; and installing climate-appropriate plants to create wildlife habitat and a sense of place.

Below are a few videos on OFG project in California:

This video shows why to create an OFG and how it was done.

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Understanding OFG

What's the problem? Urban runoff is the #1 source of ocean pollution. In Ventura, storm drains and farm runoff funnel into the ocean un-treated, polluting our water with motor oil, synthetic fertilizer, and other contaminants during heavy rain. Click here for more info about the causes of pollution.

The solution - home, business and public properties can all help prevent this runoff by turning their space into an Ocean Friendly Garden. OFG gardeners apply "CPR:"Sign for an OFG describing Conservation, Permeability, and Retention

C - Conservation - Conserve water, energy and wildlife habitat by using native and climate appropriate plants, and nutrients with properly spaced native & climate appropriate plants.

P - Permeability - Allow air and water to percolate downwards. Healthy soil, mulch, and limited hardscape sponge up water.

R - Retention - Retain water in the ground, not in the streets. Direct rain gutters into low areas in the yard & create curb cuts to capture street flow.

Huber.overhead.6-13-2013

Learn more at surfrider.org/ofg

Convert Your Yard

  • Do it yourself - here's a great design guide created by G3/Green Gardens Group.
  • Materials - coming soon. Contact your city for sources of materials like mulch. In Ventura, you can get it for free at Cornucopia Community Garden.
  • Map of gardens - Check out the map of OFGs here The map reports include plant lists, designs and more.
  • List of Professionals - if you can't do it yourself, hire a pro! Those on the list have passed G3/Green Gardens Group's Core Concepts Workshop exam, which qualifies you to be a watershed evaluator following the OFG criteria.

Contact us if you are interested in helping out with Ocean Friendly Gardens

Grass removed.med After the grass was removed

Long.July 2013.med After applying CPR to garden & parkway (curb cuts and basins)