City of Moscow

Wisescape

What is Wisescape?

The City of Moscow established the Wisescape concepts in 2008 to promote water-efficient landscaping on the Palouse. The concepts include landscape design, reduction of resource use, soil enhancements, and plant selection. Please go to Wisescape Guidelines for more details. Furthermore, the City has also launched a Wisescape Award opportunity for Moscow residents to nominate themselves, or to be nominated by neighbors, businesses, developers, the City, etc. The award will recognize individuals who set examples for aesthetic and resource conservation. Please go to Wisescape Award for nomination forms and more details.

City of Moscow
Nomination Form

Surrounding Areas
Nomination Form

Natural Yard

Wisescape Guidelines

Design

Aesthetically pleasing (Looks nice during various seasons)
Practical (Designed for efficient resource use)
Limit traditional Turf (Limited use of turf and/or water-conserving varieties)
Plant zoning (Plants with similar needs together, appropriately placed)
Efficient irrigation (Manual and/or automatic; creative capture/reuse systems as authorized)

Reduce Resource Use

Water Savings (Reduced volume during peak season)
Less mowing (Savings in energy and fuel; reduction in biomass for disposal)
Labor savings (Savings in time and/or money)
Fertilizer savings (Diminished leaching of fertilizer into surface and storm water systems)
Pesticide savings (Diminished leaching of pesticides into surface and storm water systems)
Reduction in yard waste (On-site retention and/or composting)

Soil

Enhancements (Compost, mulches, etc.)

Plant Selection

Site-appropriate plants (Suitably selected and placed with in landscape)

Rock Yard

Wisescape Award

Wisescape Awards will be selected from among businesses and residences that set examples of attractive, water-conserving use of outdoor space. The intent is not based on competition or to reward the most lavish or expensive projects, but rather to acknowledge people's creative efforts, however modest, and provide inspiration to others. Not all of the Wisescape Guidelines need to be fulfilled; a combination of the guidelines is preferred. Please go to the City of Moscow Nomination Form to download your form. You can also submit nominations and/or questions to Nichole Baker by emailing nbaker@ci.moscow.id.us, by phoning the Moscow Water Department at 208.883.7114, or by post or hand-delivery to the Moscow Water Department at 120 West A Street, Moscow. For those in the surrounding areas of Moscow, please feel free to download the Palouse Nomination Form to start a program in your area.