Why Hire Certified? Panel Discussion on Local Certification Programs for Irrigation Professionals Drought Edition Moderated by Ashley Carter Santa Clara Valley Water District Water Conservation Specialist
Certifications Represented Today: CLCA Water Management Certification Program Represented by Patrick Crais CWM, CLIA, CLWM, CID CLCA Landscape Industry Certified Technician Program Represented by Henry Buder CLT, CLP Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program Represented by Peter Estournes CWM, QWEL Represented by Linda Gates Bay-Friendly Landscaper Certification Program
By Patrick Crais, CWM, CLIA, CLWM, CID Current CLCA WM Task Force Chair
Program Highlights Program developed by a group of landscape contractors of CLCA and implemented in 2007-2008. Program earned program recognition from EPA WaterSense in 2010. Program has collaborated with many of the states top water agencies and municipalities like Metropolitan Water District, San Diego County Water Authority, EBMUD and City of Santa Barbara to offer regional training to landscapers.
About Certified Water Managers The foundation of their program training revolves around water budgeting and proper scheduling. They are encouraged to perform site inspections and site tune-ups on a regular basis. They are required to continually manage at least one property to an approved water budget. If they are using our program to manage your property, they can provide you with monthly water usage reports to document savings.
Certification Requirements of Certified Water Managers Candidates take a four-hour water management educational training seminar Candidates take an irrigation auditing training course Candidates must pass a written exam with at least a 70% Candidates must enroll an actual landscape on a landscape water budget Candidates must perform under the set landscape water budget for a period of twelve consecutive months Once certified, Certified Water Managers are required to continue to meet landscape water budgets on at least one property and enter monthly meter readings for verification purposes
Save Gallons of Money Certified Water Managers can: Pinpoint waste & repair existing irrigation systems Recommend custom irrigation schedules Enhance your property value Keep your property in compliance with your local drought-related water restrictions
Landscape Industry Certified Technician June 25, 2015 - Alameda, CA Bay Area Landscape Water Conference Presented by: Henry Buder CLT, CLP Henry Buder s Landscape Restoration CLCA State Certification Committee Member
ABOUT The Program The Landscape Industry Certified Technician Program seeks to recognize proficiency in the landscape workforce, upgrade the status of the landscape professional and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals. Upon earning the certification, Landscape Industry Certified individuals are required to report 24 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to NALP every two years to maintain the active status of their certification.
HOW Testing Works Tes$ng includes both written exams and hands-on tests. The applicant rotates through $med hands- on problems which are supervised by one or more judges, where they demonstrate skills in real life scenarios. Applicants are judged on work methods, adherence to best prac$ces, and safety ideals. An applicant must pass every problem in the wriben and field tests within any of the 5 modules. Those who fail only retake the problems missed.
HOW Testing Works Landscape Industry Certified Technician is offered in these 5 modules: Softscape Installation Hardscape Installation Irrigation Turf Maintenance Ornamental Maintenance
HIRE CERTIFIED Find Cer$fied Companies In Your Area Check out CLCA s Contractors with Certified Employees Search: www.clca.org/hirecer$fied Landscape Industry Certified Technicians have proven they know how to do the job right the first $me. Their efficiency saves you!me and money!
QWEL Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper By Peter Estournes CWM, QWEL QWEL Board Member
QWEL WaterSense approved water management training & certification program for landscape professionals Topics include: water supply sources, irrigation basics & efficiency, soils, plants, water management, water budgets, irrigation scheduling, controller programming, troubleshooting, and new technology Approximately 20 hours of education Final exam: 120 questions (75% passing grade)
Where is QWEL Offered? Purple: States currently offering QWEL Orange: States interested in offering QWEL
Local Water Supply
Irrigation Efficiency
Plant Material
Soils
New Technology
Water Management Three ways to reduce landscape water use! 1. Reduce Site Water Requirement 2. Improve Management Practices 3. Increase Irrigation System Efficiencies Site Water Requirement Management Irriga!on Inefficiency
Water Management Great irrigation, proper plants, rich soil means nothing without WATER MANAGEMENT! Site Water Use Plant Water Needs Irriga!on Inefficiency Management Management is often larger than other two components combined.
www.qwel.net
For More Information: Call Sonoma County Water Agency 707-547-1933
Bay-Friendly Landscapes A whole systems approach to the design, construction and maintenance of the landscape to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and prevent pollution. BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Bay-Friendly Practices a) Reduce and Recycle b) Select Plants to Grow to Natural Size (Avoid invasive plants) c) Drought tolerant native or climate-adapted palette d) Minimize Lawn e) Use compost amended soil and mulch f) Smart irrigation system BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Why Bay-Friendly Landscaping Environmental Benefits Positive Image and Branding Return on Investment Simple Path to Recognized Sustainability BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Environmental Benefits Conserve water Reduce Land Fill Reduce Run-off Greenhouse Gas Reduction Enhanced Habitat BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Image & Brand Updated Aesthetic Healthier Community Before From turf-dominated to 96% California Native plant palette BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Aesthetics are Changing The Avocado Colored Refrigerator BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Low Use Water Use Plants BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Return on Investment - Maintenance Minimize dollars spent on water Reduce maintenance costs by up to 30% Mowing Trimming Shrubs Fertilizer Off-Haul BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Simple Path to Sustainability Simple Checklist Many Opportunities for Points Several Practices Already Mandated California Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance C.3 Stormwater Management Requirements Local Government Standards and Details BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
RESOURCES Bay-friendly Qualified Professional Professional Training (Design and Manual) Landscape Standards Model Maintenance Specifications Lose Your Lawn Events (Sheet Mulching) BAY-FRIENDLY COALITION
Hire Certified Water Managers www.clca.org/findmywatermanager to find a company with certified individuals in your area Or email: watermanager@clca.org for more information on the program
The 5-4-4-2 Five Questions For Four Experts Two Related Topics: Certification & Drought
Question # 1 With the need for more educated landscape professionals today, how does your program prepare your cer$fica$on graduates to be successful during the drought?
Question # 2 Can each of you describe how the drought has changed your program s curriculum or has it not changed? If not, do you plan on changing it?
Question # 3 What are the specific benefits to the public of hiring your cer$fied graduates? Has the drought increased the demand for your cer$fica$on by the public?
Question # 4 Do you see the future of landscaping headed towards a more sustainable and water saving approach beyond the current drought? Has the way the green industry views landscaping changed forever?
Question # 5 In your professional opinion, what is the ONE thing you recommend the public should focus on to save the most water during the drought? Is it technology, managing water- use, plant selec$on, etc.?