Wildfire, drought and rain are familiar to Redlanders, but the frequency and severity of these weather events is changing. Climate change is a global issue, but these global changes have uniquely affected the Inland Empire. According to Hillary Jenkins, an environmental studies professor at the University of Redlands, current modeling suggests increased extremes in weather patterns.
“We expect to see an increase in extreme wet events, or a kind of extreme wet season, and then an increase in extremely dry events,” said Jenkins.
These expected changes are not exclusive to climate change, but a general prediction of climate behavior in the area. Rain events may become heavier and more punctuated; there may be more rain events happening outside of the traditional rainy season.
Jenkins used the analogy of a pot of boiling water to explain the expected increase in wet events. With moderate heat applied, a pot of water with a lid on top will eventually boil, condensation will gather on the lid and fall back into the pot. If extreme heat is applied to the same pot, the water boils more quickly and the condensation falls back quicker.
Increased heat in the Inland Empire accelerates the water cycle, which will also cause longer dry events between heavy rains.
A local issue
Valerie Rountree, another environmental studies professor at the U of R, explained that Redlands is a drop in the bucket when it comes to combating climate change. Rountree said that locally the focus needs to be on climate adaptation. Climate adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to climate and its effects.
“I think from an adaptation perspective, local is where it has to be,” said Rountree. “Saving water, saving energy. Those are things that will help us to actually conserve our resources and adapt to a changing climate.”
Water is a scarce resource in California because of the ongoing drought. Historically, Redlands has had abundant water supplies, which allowed Redlands agriculture to flourish. Jenkins speculated that Redlands ability to sustain agriculture is related to its position in the Santa Ana Watershed.
Redlands agriculture has long been supported by irrigation and groundwater. Local agencies like the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District work to store and conserve water in the region. The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District moves and recharges water in the Santa Ana and Mill Creek spreading grounds in the upper ends of the Bunker Hill Basin.
Redlands’ access to water in the Bunker Hill Basin means that Redlands has cheaper water prices than many cities in Southern California.
Underground water
The district has announced a plan to quadruple the amount of water that can be stored.
Rountree said, “I think we have different and maybe more abundant water sources than a lot of other cities, but we’re not recognizing the long-term needs. Just because we have historically lived as if water is abundant doesn’t mean we should continue doing that in the future.”
Betsy Miller Vixie, general manager of the Conservation District, said, “I’m really excited to see so many of our regional agencies come together. There’s a lot of concern about making absolutely sure that we have water available for our communities under a variety of scenarios.”
Rountree said, in some places, up to 70% of water use is for outdoor landscaping. Keeping grass alive in 100 degree heat, she said, takes multiple waterings per week. She said an increase in water prices might be the best way to discourage excessive water use.
Grass lawns are not native to Redlands and require lots of water to maintain. Rountree suggests that people remove their lawns for native plant gardens, drought tolerant landscaping and rain gardens.
Tolerating drought
Drought-tolerant landscaping requires 75% less water on average than traditional grass lawn.
The city of Redlands offers rebates for residents who remove grass lawns and replace them with drought tolerant landscaping with native plants.
Redlands has strict rules on how to convert a grass lawn to a drought tolerant landscape. Redlands yards must follow the 80/20 rule — 80% of the visible yard must be plant material and no more than 20% can be hardscape.
Those interested in converting their yards to a drought-tolerant landscape are eligible to receive a free book from the city. There is also an online version available through the city website.
“When rain falls in a very short period of time on paved surfaces, it doesn’t have anywhere to sink in,” said Rountree. “We need to find a way to trap it for a long period of time, so it can sink down and recharge our groundwater supply.”
Rain gardens, especially those with native plants, can help trap rainwater to recharge the groundwater supply. A rain garden is a shallow, depressed garden that captures stormwater from roof tops, gutters, and streets and allows it to infiltrate into the ground within 24 to 48 hours. The soil and sand in rain gardens filter out many pollutants that come off of rooftops and streets. Diverting rainwater into rain gardens can also lessen the maintenance of existing city infrastructure.
A Silver Lupine plant, which is native to the area, on the Orange Blossom Trail.
Accelerated Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) is hosting “A Farewell to Lawns: Landscape Conversions & Drought Tolerant Gardens” workshop at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Redlands Community Center. The workshop is free and will teach how to convert lawns to drought-tolerant landscapes.
Linda Hamilton of ANCA envisions a future Redlands with defined neighborhoods that are able to tackle climate adaptation on the neighborhood level. While Redlands cannot combat climate change on its own, Hamilton still espouses the importance of cutting emissions and reducing energy consumption.
Many older homes in Redlands are poorly insulated. Hamilton says that putting better insulation in homes would help conserve energy.
Dual-paned windows are another way to insulate homes.
Energy-efficient appliances also cut energy usage.
The city of Redlands offers a rebate program for residents who replace washing machines with high-efficiency washing machines.
Composting
One of three city of Redlands residential food waste recycling drop-off locations at Oakmont Park. The others are off Kansas Street and Lugonia Avenue.
Hamilton would like more Redlanders to be aware of the city’s new composting program. Food in landfills is a major emitter of methane, a greenhouse gas.
Redlands has a residential organic food waste collection program with three drop-off locations across town: Oakmont Park at 31215 Sutherland Drive, Redlands Community Center at 111 W. Lugonia Ave. and 500 Kansas St.
All food waste must be placed in a gallon-size Ziploc bag.
Acceptable items include rinds, shells from shellfish, hulls, bones, meat, fruit, bread, nuts, produce or anything that would have been edible. Non-food items labeled compostable are not acceptable.
Hamilton also wants to see more local food production and wants to use ANCA to educate Redlanders on growing their own food. Commercial farming produces carbon emissions from growing to transporting goods. Growing your own produce is a small way to reduce carbon emissions.
“I’d like to see resiliency gardens in Redlands,” said Hamilton.
A climate resiliency garden is to climate adaptation what the victory gardens were to World War II. Resiliency gardens localize food production, encourage the use of seasonal produce and eliminate carbon emissions from traveling to the store and help to reduce plastic use.
Another option Hamilton would like to see more Redlanders use is community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes, which would connect people in Redlands to locally-grown, seasonal produce.
The city of Redlands has three community gardens that residents can pay annually to use: Clement Gardens, Lugonia Gardens and Smiley Gardens. There are no vacancies at this time, according to the city of Redlands website. Those interested can sign up for the waitlist.
The Smiley Community Garden with 24 plots is one of three public gardens in Redlands. All of the city’s community gardens are fully occupied.
Take the train
“I hope to see people use the train,” said Hamilton.
Reducing car travel helps improve air quality in the region. The new Arrow train, which is expected to start service this month, will offer a new way for Redlanders to rely less on cars.
These climate adaptation strategies can help Redlanders better adapt to a hotter, wetter climate, conserve resources for future generations and help reduce strains on our public infrastructure. Those interested in the city of Redlands rebate programs can visit cityofredlands.org/water-conservation.
