Four students had their water-related projects selected as winners during the annual Irvine Unified School District Science Fair on February 29. Two scientists from Irvine Ranch Water District’s state-of-the-art Water Quality laboratory judged 35 projects.

“We judge on the use of the scientific method, completeness of research and evidence of problem-solving,” said Melinda Bergen, IRWD Laboratory Supervisor and veteran of many IUSD science fairs. “It’s amazing to see the level of creativity from these students.”

The students will be honored by the Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors on May 29. IRWD science experts have helped judge science fair projects since the 1980s as part of the District’s ongoing commitment to education and encouraging students to explore careers in science. 

The 2012 IRWD winners are:

• Gopal Vashishtha, grade 9, University High School, “Nano-Scale Zn Oxide in Membrane Bioreactor Systems”
• Louis Primeau, grade 6, Turtle Rock School, “Effect of Elevated co2 on Fresh Water Algae”
• Elizabeth Chang, grade 6, Plaza Vista School, “Evaporating Waters”
• Zach Howard, grade 6, Oak Creek School, “Bacteria: Back Bay Versus Newport Harbor”

Please visit our website for more about the IRWD education programs.

How many times have you seen sprinklers operating during the rain? Weather-based irrigation timers, also called smart timers, take the guesswork out of watering a landscape.

“These timers allow for more accurate, customized watering times by automatically adjusting the schedule based on site conditions in response to changing weather conditions,” said IRWD Water Efficiency Analyst Nathan Adams.

Not only does this save water, lower your bills and reduce over-watering, it allows you to optimize watering times to meet your landscape’s specific water needs. The controllers will automatically adjust the frequency and duration of watering times – saving you the time, hassle and guesswork of adjusting your controller.

“Setting up the timer properly is important,” Adams said. “And if your lawn has brown spots, you may want to inspect the in-ground system for leaks and inefficiencies.”

IRWD is currently offering smart timer rebate of up to $425 per controller for homeowners. Please visit our website and click on rebates for details and a list of controller models.

If you are thinking about landscaping your yard with California native drought-tolerant plants, but aren’t sure what they look like, visit the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh for ideas. It’s spring time and the plants at the Marsh are awakening from winter dormancy.

“In the spring, there are lupine, encelia, goldfields and southern honeysuckle,” said Ian Swift, IRWD’s Marsh expert. “We have about 120 flowering plant species on display.”

The 320-acre freshwater Marsh contains mostly native plants. When IRWD began rehabilitating the Marsh in the late 1990s, crews faced a daunting task of eradicating many unwelcome, non-native species, such as artichoke thistle and yellow-flowered black mustard plants. Landscape crews continue to monitor for any appearance of these plants and they are removed immediately.

The artichoke thistle is a little more of a challenge because the tap root can reach down to about eight feet.

During the springs, the Marsh is a riot of color and fragrance. Check out the Mexican elderberry or Matilja poppy. The poppy blooms on a large shrub and has delicate,  tissue-like white petals and a yellow button-like center. It has a sweet fragrance.

Many of the plants along the Fledgling Loop Trail closest to the Duck Club have identification cards with a photo and the name and information about the plant. If you are interested in attracting butterflies to your yard, take a walk through the butterfly garden in the Marsh’s meadow area behind the Duck Club. Tiles located on poles depict different types of butterflies. The plants in the garden have been found to attract the butterflies shown on the tiles.

There is no charge to visit the Marsh, which is open 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk. Please visit our website for more information and directions to the Marsh.

When was the last time you visited the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh? Spring is the best time to visit this best kept secret in Irvine.

“The Marsh is a reconstructed wetland designed to clean urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay,” explains Ian Swift, IRWD Supervising Wetlands Biologist.

Besides enhancing water quality, the Marsh provides a home to some 230 species of birds and other wildlife in a park-like setting. The Marsh contains more than 12 miles of meandering hiking trails on approximately 320 acres and is open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. The campus is also home to the Audubon House and the IRWD visitor’s center, both open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors to the marsh are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras for bird watching. But there are other animals that might be seen, as well. Many visitors have reported seeing bobcats on the trails. Every spring, there is a new litter of kittens born. Bobcats should not be confused with the more dangerous mountain lions.

Because the Marsh is not open to visitor at night, many of the nocturnal animals such as coyotes, skunks and raccoons will not be seen. However, on occasion, coyotes and skunks can be seen wandering the trails in the early morning or the evening.

Other mammals making their homes at the Marsh are opossums, long-tailed weasels, rabbits, ground squirrels, field mice and rats. The small rodent population is kept in check by the predatory animals and birds of prey.

Visitors are reminded not to collect or disturb the wildlife, including the flowers or other plant materials, animals, birds, insects, rocks or any element within the entire San Joaquin Marsh. Harvesting of betties is allowed along Riparian View near Tree Hill, however. Admission is always free.

More information about the Marsh and detailed directions on how to find this hidden oasis, please visit our website.