River-Friendly Yards

Save Time & Money with a River-Friendly Yard!

What is a River-Friendly Yard?

Here in Northern Nevada, a River-Friendly Yard often includes a small lawn, native plants, an effective irrigation system, and a rain garden or mini meadow element. 

By making a few simple changes to your yard, like considering how you water and apply fertilizer, you’ll beautify your property, reduce yard maintenance and costs, and save on your water bill - all while protecting the water quality of the Truckee River! 

At One Truckee River, we’re here to help you get your hands dirty with the river in mind.

Through our River-Friendly yards program, we’re all about keeping water onsite, reducing pollutants, using water wisely, building healthy soils, and creating wildlife habitats. To learn more about how to get started, and why even small changes make a huge difference, check out the blogs below!

“Since moving into my home three years ago, I’ve grown tired of looking at my front yard’s “clean” style, with an expansive lawn that blends seamlessly into my neighbor’s. Inspired by the new River-Friendly Garden and informative signs, I dusted off the cobwebs from my shovel and pickaxe and set about putting in my own buffer strip in the front yard.”

 Daniel Moss chose to plant a buffer strip along the edge of the driveway, giving himself great views of native plants and flowers from his downstairs windows. He opted for species that bloomed at different times, didn’t have big footprints, and could handle part-time shade – planting purple dome asters, yellow tickseed, daylilies, and coral bells. He re-directed his irrigation system’s sprinkler heads, invited his kids to place the final mulching, and sat back to enjoy the…flowers of his labor. 

What do you think about Daniel’s buffer strip? Would you enjoy a similar feature in your home garden?

Ready to Get Started?

Check out the resources below to learn how you can make your home garden River-Friendly.

1. Explore our Blogs 

Learn how to design your RFL Yard, what to plant, and how to save time on yard maintenance through OTR’s Blog Library.

2. Take a Virtual Workshop 

Led by landscape architect and environmental educator Carrie Jensen, OTR’s River-Friendly Living Workshops were developed to be viewed online. They’re perfect for diving deeper into gardening practices, principles, and ideas.

3. Visit the River-Friendly Demonstration Garden at Lake Park

Installed in April 2024, our River-Friendly Living Demonstration Garden showcases landscaping features, native plants, and eco-techniques to improve your home-garden – while saving time and money.

4. Learn more about local & native plants

Check out these links for Northern Nevada plant-selection recommendations:

• Nevada Native Plant Society - Where to Buy Native Plants

• Nevada Audubon - 10 Native Plants for Your Nevada Garden

• Washoe County - Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden

• Nevada Division of Forestry - Washoe State Tree Nursery

5. Choose Your River-Friendly Yards Priorities

Remember: A small change can make a big difference - and a neighborhood of small changes adds up quickly. When making changes to your yard, we recommend starting with a couple swaps you’d like to see and building on them over time, incorporating the River-Friendly Yards practices you’re most excited about. Focus your yard on your favorite gardening style and River-Friendly priorities: protecting pollinators, growing veggies and herbs, utilizing rainwater or mini meadows, or replacing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides with natural management strategies. If you’ve read this far, you’re already well on your way towards creating a yard that helps protect the Truckee River!