Morning greens: Eco-shop on skid row, new plans for Benedict Canyon, and wiser water and power for L.A.'s lawns

LA’s updating its water strategy with recycling, groundwater use. Reports KPCC: “The newly approved plan reflects the DWP’s new focus on recycling water for industrial use and for irrigation in areas such as city parks. It emphasizes conservation, especially for outdoor landscaping that represents more than half the water use in the region’s single-family homes.”

Mow down air pollution: Trade in your gas-powered lawn mower. Greenspace reports that the Lawn Mower Exchange, which “will offer five different types of electric mowers priced from $100 to $230 … kicks off Saturday in Palm Desert. Weekly events continue through July 23 with exchanges in Long Beach, Inglewood, Riverside, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Northridge and Anaheim.”

Rising gasoline prices fuel the growing appeal of compressed natural gas vehicles. Reports LA Times: “Many alternative-fuel proponents pitch compressed natural gas as an environmentally friendly counterpart to conventional gasoline vehicles — it emits less carbon dioxide when burned — especially for commercial vehicles that return to a home base where they can easily be refueled.”

A new cafe on L.A.’s skid row offers upcycled crafts, eco-friendly goods. GOOD reports on the opening of MADE by DWC, “the new retail initiative of the Downtown Women’s Center … the only organization that exclusively serves homeless women in downtown L.A."

Saudi prince scales back plans for Benedict Canyon compound. Reports LA Times: “Ben Reznik, an attorney for Prince Abdulaziz, said the revised plans were submitted Tuesday and that they addressed key neighborhood concerns about the project’s size and environmental effects…. The biggest difference between the original and the revised proposals is the elimination of a planned 27,000-square-foot ‘son’s villa.’”

Will Southern Californias get more wildfires soon? At KCET’s SoCal Focus, Chris Clarke opines that “the wet winter we just got done enjoying has moistened the forests and chaparral, and most of the state isn’t expected to burn down until late summer at the earliest. In California’s deserts, though, that wet winter may have increased the threat of fire rather than damping it.”

Australia’s climate chief comes to California, urges action. Climate Watch reports: “Australia’s Chief Climate Commissioner, Tim Flannery, … noted that while California is ahead of the game with its plans for launching a cap and trade program next year, ‘a national approach is necessary.’”

Santa Barbara named one of Americas top Walk Friendly Communities. From Grist: “After evaluating applicant communities in several categories related to walking — including safety, mobility, access, and comfort — the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) last week announced the selection of 11 Walk Friendly Communities across the U.S.” No, Los Angeles did not make the list.

Photo: Florian Boyd/Flickr