Ashland, Ore. — A brand new program in the city of Ashland could put more money in your wallet if you help them conserve water.

The program started this month and asks residents to replace their lawns with drought tolerant plants. It’s the first of its kind in the state.

“We’re going to be giving them an incentive of 75 cents per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with drought tolerant native plants up to 1,000 square feet,” Water Conservation Analyst Julie Smitherman said.

After that it’s 50 cents for up to 2,000 square feet of replaced lawn, and 25 cents for up to 3,000 feet. Smitherman said other than the money you would receive from the city you could also save anywhere between 20-70 percent on your water bill.

One Ashland resident, Donald Hunsaker, ripped up his lawn and put in new plants.

“I teach environmental science and I thought it was kind of goofy to have a green lawn in an area that doesn’t get a lot of rain,” Hunsaker said.

Now, he’s getting a little extra money headed his way.

You can apply for the program at their location on 51 Winburn Way.

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