Jay & Vanessa are among 30 residents who participate How to Conserve Water How to Reduce Chemical Use How to Use Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants Home 3) How to Use Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants: Native and drought-tolerant species require less maintenance and provide natural benefits to fish, wildlife, and rivers in our arid climate. Also: Planting native and drought-tolerant plants in your yard cuts back on water use, keeping more water in the aquifer and river during summer months. A "no mow" zone (an area where the grass and/or native plants grow freely) along the river prevents lawn care applications from entering surface water. Encouraging the growth of native trees, shrubs, bunchgrasses, sedges, and rushes protects stream banks from erosion and improves backyard wildlife habitat. Planting native vegetation such as willows and red osier dogwood along stream banks provides shade that fish need to keep cool during our hot summers when river temperatures rise and protects against erosion during high flows. Converting traditional Kentucky blue grass lawn to drought-tolerant turf will use less water and require less maintenance over time.