Category: Urban Land Planning and Use
Recipient: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Water conservation efforts by the department have encouraged all users to follow good water use practices throughout the urban environment. Recent efforts include a two-year study to determine the effectiveness of a variety of methods to encourage the public to change its lawn watering habits and participation in the States’ large turf audit training program. The department is also active in the promotion of Xeriscape landscapes and the use of reclaimed water in the landscape.

Category: Research and Development
Recipient: Dara Emery

Dara Emery’s lifelong devotion to the development of California native plants for the California garden qualify him for this award. He has worked as a horticulturalist and plant breeder for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for more than 30 years.

Category: Installation and Maintenance Contracting
Recipient: Fred Ridge

During his career as Director of Landscaping Operations with Leisure World in south Orange County, Fred Ridge learned not only the horticultural practices which lead to good water conservation, but also the public relations and political skills necessary to maintain an effective water conservation program in the landscape of a large-scale community. Though now retired, Fred Ridge represents the fortitude and foresight necessary to properly manage the modern xeriscape.

Category: Landscape Design
Recipient: Frederick Lang

A practicing landscape architect for over 40 years, Frederick Lang has shared his experience and education with ongoing generations of landscape architects by teaching courses in California’s colleges and universities. Frederick Lang has also contributed numerous articles to publications such as the Sunset Western Garden Book and Western Landscape News. A major theme in all of his works has been the wise use of our most precious water resources.

Category: Irrigation
Recipient: Sam Tobey

With his design in engineering and his background in aerospace, Sam Tobey has been able to bring space age technology to the field of irrigation. Sam Tobey has been a driving force in the irrigation industry in promoting low output, high efficiency irrigation equipment. He has been a long-time champion of the cause of water conservation.

Category: Plant Materials
Recipient: Mike Evans

Owner of Tree of Life Nursery, Mike Evans has been a leader in providing low water using plant materials to the community for the past 10 years. He has taught courses in the proper use of xeriscape plants at institutions of higher education throughout the States. His research and development of propagation techniques for many California native plants has benefited the entire landscape community.