The California Landscape Contractors Association’s Water Management Certification Program (CLCA) has become a sponsor for the 4th Annual Sustainable Urban Landscape Conference at the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater in El Cajon, CA, on March 8. This year’s theme, The Bottom Line for Green is Black, focuses on how sustainability is the new and profitable business model which is changing California’s urban environments.
“We are a proud sponsor of this event and excited to support Cuyamaca College and the University of California Cooperative Extension on this worthwhile event,” said Tom Sweeney, program chair of CLCA’s Water Management Certification Program and vice president/site supervisor for Landscape Care Company in Martinez, CA. “The purpose of this Conference is to help keep our industry up to date on the latest horticulture practices that are achievable, profitable and sustainable as well as new and exciting changes in the industry. Several of the items being covered at the conference include water issues that affect our industry.”
The Sustainable Urban Landscape Conference is a joint presentation of the Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture Department, The University of California Cooperative Extension Service and the Cuyamaca College Botanical Society.
Conference attendees come from the San Diego region and include landscape industry professionals, government agency professionals, educators and students. Registration is only $90 and includes the conference, trade show, continental breakfast, lunch, post-conference reception and parking. For more information or to register to attend please go to http://www.cuyamaca.net/ohweb/SUL-Conference/2012-SUL-Conference/SUL-2012-Attendee-Brochure.pdf.
Some of this year’s conference speakers include John Picard on natural systems design; Dennis Pittenger of UC Riverside and David Shaw of UC San Diego, on estimating landscape irrigation needs; Richard Restuccia of ValleyCrest on sustainable landscape maintenance practices; and Tom Jesch of Waterwise Botanicals about the changing palette of water-wise plants. Also Nan Sterman will host a panel discussion on urban farming which includes Karen Contreras of Urban Plantations, Bill Tall of City Farmers Nursery, and Crystal Montoya, certified grower.