Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2026
Abstract
The goal of this research project is to provide implementable suggestions and guidelines for the City of Santa Clara that will incentivize local cities, residents, businesses, and parks to embrace planting more native plants. Currently, native plant landscaping in Northern California is not yet in a mature policy environment, despite the vast ecological and drought-tolerant qualities of native plants. While lawn-rebate programs that promote native plants exist, progress in policy is still needed to ensure long-term planting of native plant species. The city of Santa Clara could take the opportunity to be a leader in the current premature policy state of native plant landscaping and benefit from the many cultural, ecological, and economic attributes of native plants, while also honoring the natural history of our region.
Recommended Citation
Gomez, Isabella 'Amne, "Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Ecosystem Resilience: Implementing a Native Plants Landscaping Policy in Santa Clara" (2026). Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program. 12.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/svpsfp/12
