News

At its June 18 meeting, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored Ramona Copley as OMWD’s winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

Mrs. Copley’s landscape design includes a dry creek bed, drip irrigation, blue fescue grass, and a variety of colorful plants like orange kangaroo paw, purple salvia, and red autumn sage. The garden features several plants that are both drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, such as California lilac, white rockrose, and Cleveland sage.

“Drought-tolerant landscaping helps conserve San Diego’s water supply,” said OMWD board secretary Christy Guerin. “Mrs. Copley’s landscape offers a good example of an appealing design, climate-appropriate plant selection, and water-efficient irrigation.”

“We receive many compliments,” said Mrs. Copley, “and I enjoy taking in the view as I sit in the front yard.”

Since 2006, the county-wide contest has encouraged residential water agency customers to showcase their water-wise landscapes. OMWD is one of twelve water agencies participating in the contest. Each agency selects a winning landscape.

Photos of Mrs. Copley’s winning landscape, as well as winners from throughout the county and a wide range of landscape resources, are available at www.landscapecontest.com.

Ramona Copley of Encinitas wins OMWD’s 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest