Arlington Water Utilities is teaming up with Tarrant Regional Water District and the Arlington Public Library for a variety of programs to encourage efficient water use this summer.

The following programs will be provided for free, but residents are encouraged to register in advance. Activities at the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden will be held outdoors at 5500 Lake Arlington Drive. Click here to learn more about our demonstration garden on Lake Arlington.

DIY Drip Irrigation

9-10 a.m., Saturday, May 18 – Learn about DIY Drip Irrigation with Tarrant County Master Gardener Steve Chaney at the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden. You can get your hands dirty and help the native Texas plants in the garden thrive by volunteering for maintenance activities before the talk, starting at 8 a.m. Sign up at SaveArlingtonWater.com.

Family Volunteer Day

8-10 a.m. Saturday, June 15 – Family Volunteer Day at the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden – Help with garden maintenance like simple weeding and mulching. Then, participate in a fun, fast-paced game of finding and identifying native plants in our blooming garden. The activities and an interactive talk about pollinators are great for kids ages 5-12 and their adults. Sign up at SaveArlingtonWater.com.

Edible Landscaping

2-3 p.m., Saturday, June 22 – Edible Landscaping at the Southwest Branch Library, 3311 SW Green Oaks Blvd. Edible landscapes are one of the most popular new gardening trends and it is easy to see why! Create lush landscapes with interesting flowers, colors, and textures with plants that can be consumed in a variety of ways. Sign up soon at SaveTarrantWater.com.

Build Your Own Bee Hotel

 2-4 p.m., Friday, July 12 - Build Your Own Bee Hotel at the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center St.

Wildlife – including bees – need places to hide, escape, and rest, but habitat loss has reduced their natural options. Help them out by creating a hotel for your backyard! Make your bee hotel during the class to bring home and feature in your North Texas yard! Arlington residents can register for this program later this summer at SaveTarrantWater.com.

 Don’t forget, May is a great time to spruce up your sprinklers. Click here to visit the EPA WaterSense website or click here to visit WaterIsAwesome.com for advice on saving water and keeping your water bill lower this summer.