Youth Advisory Council Demonstration Garden
The Youth Advisory Council planted a desert demonstration garden at McDoniel Elementary School in Henderson in October 2001.

The council wanted to educate children about water conservation issues and encourage more residents to use water-efficient xeriscape. The group chose Henderson for the garden since there was no other desert demonstration garden in that area at the time.

Design
Working with the Water Authority and local landscape architects, the youth council planned to convert more than 3,600 square feet of landscape, 1,800 square feet of which was grass.

A vegetable garden, dry riverbed, plant-covered trellis over the walkway in front of the school and a mini-ampitheater also are part of the design.

Implementation
The Clark County School District prepared the area by removing grass and installing an irrigation system. Youth Advisory Council members were excused from school for one day to help plant seven large trees and 156 water-conscious plants. They also constructed a large planter for a vegetable garden and created walkways throughout the garden.

Results
The youth council presented a project report to SNWA Board members on Jan. 17, 2002. The council reported that impacts from the project have already been felt. In addition to educating kids about the importance of water conservation, the garden has caught the attention of homeowners who have expressed interest in removing their turf to create a similar desert landscape.