The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and Alliance for Water Efficiency Partner to Support Water Usage Research and Education
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Insights
The extension of the partnership between The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the Alliance for Water Efficiency signifies a strategic investment in sustainability research, specifically targeting the optimization of water usage in residential landscaping. The collaboration's focus on creating a guidebook and conducting behavior-based strategy research reflects an understanding that environmental conservation efforts must be coupled with practical tools and actionable insights to be effective.
The environmental implications of such research could be substantial. By providing water utilities and city water departments with a framework for designing and implementing effective landscape transformation and irrigation programs, the partnership aims to reduce water consumption at the household level. This is particularly relevant in areas facing water scarcity issues, where water conservation can lead to significant ecological and economic benefits.
Moreover, the emphasis on behavior-based strategies indicates a holistic approach to conservation, recognizing that technological solutions must be complemented by changes in human behavior. The integration of psychological and behavioral science into conservation efforts can lead to more sustainable water use patterns, potentially setting a precedent for other environmental initiatives.
From a market perspective, the initiatives funded by this grant can potentially influence the landscaping and irrigation industries. As the guidebook and research findings disseminate, they may catalyze a shift towards more water-efficient products and services. Companies in the sector could experience increased demand for smart irrigation systems, drought-resistant plants and consulting services that align with the conservation principles outlined in the research.
Additionally, the partnership between a prominent foundation and a leading environmental organization may enhance the corporate social responsibility profile of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. This could positively impact consumer perception and brand loyalty, especially among environmentally conscious consumers. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to customers, such initiatives could also become a differentiating factor in the competitive landscape of home and garden care products.
The application of behavior-based strategies to encourage smarter irrigation practices is a noteworthy development in the field of environmental behavioral science. By understanding the psychological factors that influence individuals' decision-making, the research could yield innovative methods to promote water conservation. For instance, the use of nudges, social proof and commitment devices are well-documented techniques in altering behavior without coercion, which could be effectively applied to reduce water usage in residential areas.
Should the research prove successful, it could inform policy-making and the development of community programs aimed at fostering sustainable habits. The long-term impact on water conservation efforts could be significant, as behavior change is often the most challenging aspect of environmental initiatives. The insights gained from this research could also be applied to other resource conservation challenges, providing a template for behavior change that could be replicated in different contexts.
Two-year grant focuses on ways to save water and enhance the environment
MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) have announced an extension of their partnership that will support research to improve the efficiency of lawns and other landscapes. The grant helps to fund environmental programs through December 2025.
“We are honored to receive this funding from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, which continues our long-standing partnership to research how to design, grow, and irrigate lawns and other landscapes to save water and enhance the environment,” said Ron Burke, President and CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency. “This 2024 funding will allow us to evaluate landscape transformation programs and create resources that can help water efficiency and conservation practitioners in their day-to-day work.”
“We’re so excited to continue our partnership with AWE,” said Brian Herrington, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “We’ve seen firsthand the benefits of water conservation research and look forward to the results of our new planned project with AWE. Collaborations with leaders like AWE are important to making a positive impact on the world.”
The new projects within this grant agreement centers on helping households use water wisely outdoors, including:
- The Creation of a guidebook for smart practices in utility-sponsored residential landscape and irrigation programs, which have evolved beyond the traditional financial rebate models. The Guidebook will help water utilities and city water departments effectively design and implement landscape transformation and irrigation programs to save water and enhance the environment.
- A research project to collect and synthesize current knowledge of behavior-based strategies that help residents irrigate smarter and use less water on household landscapes. Behavior-based strategies focus on using insights from psychology and behavioral science to help individuals make more optimal decisions about when and how much to water, which can enhance other strategies like changing out irrigation equipment or transforming landscapes. This project will include real-life experiments piloting behavior-based strategies.
“Utility-sponsored residential landscape transformation programs have significantly grown over the past decade to increase water savings and address barriers to households successfully adapting their landscapes to a changing climate,” said Liesel Hans, PhD, Director of Programs, Alliance for Water Efficiency. “We are excited to explore the wide range of innovative programs that exist and then synthesize the smart practices into a singular resource that utilities can reference in building out programs in their communities. We are particularly interested in focusing on efforts that have an eye toward advancing equity and improving access to programs. We look forward to digging into the data in the coming months and are hopeful about the impact this study can have in the field.”
The projects will focus on residential landscapes by exploring the evolution of strategies that water utilities are employing to support customers with landscape transformations, identifying behavioral strategies, and evaluating programs designed to help residents optimize water used for irrigation on household landscapes to maximize water savings and other benefits.
About the Alliance for Water Efficiency
The Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) is a North American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the sustainable and efficient use of water. Based in Chicago, AWE works with over 500 member agencies made up of water utilities, water conservation professionals in business and industry, policymakers, nonprofits, and researchers. As the leading voice for water efficiency, AWE’s platform brings together innovative technical resources to facilitate the adoption of water conservation programs, cutting-edge research to address pressing challenges, and a collaborative dialogue amongst stakeholders to further advance water conservation and efficiency across North America. www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org.
About The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation
The mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to inspire, connect and cultivate a community of purpose. The Foundation is deeply rooted in helping create healthier communities, empower the next generation and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that funds non-profit entities that support its core initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year capital gifts. For more information, visit scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.
FAQ
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What are the new projects within the grant agreement focused on?
