With the West’s drought—and California’s historic response to it—making national news, the seeds of water conservation have been planted in the minds of homeowners and property managers nationwide. Irrigating with graywater is an opportunity for contractors 1). to potentially provide services for clients or 2). simply to educate them. Here’s an introduction to some options. read more
Revised irrigation best practices focus on sustainability, technology and communication. The irrigation industry is constantly evolving, whether it’s with the release of new equipment or sustainable practices. To provide updated information for landscape irrigation contractors’ changing needs, the Irrigation Association (IA) and American Society of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) released a new version of their Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices (BMPs)... read more
With water budgets, contractors can demonstrate and document good water stewardship. When it comes to sustainability, few people are under more pressure than irrigation contractors. With droughts drying up entire regions throughout the U.S., municipalities are mandating that property owners significantly reduce their water usage—or even stop irrigating their landscapes altogether. Coming up with those savings often falls on contractors’... read more
We compare and contrast how the LEED and Green Globes rating systems for green buildings allocate points for irrigation and water efficiency. With the General Services Administration recognizing both the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Globes programs as credible standards for green buildings, we examine the similarities and differences between the rating systems in terms of... read more
In addition to continuing its sponsoring of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days, The Toro Co. also is hosting a workshop on environmentally friendly business practices at this year’s event, slated for March 12-15 at North Carolina State University. Presented by Van Cline, Ph.D, chief agronomist at Toro, the workshop will focus on the need for efficient use... read more
The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) program certified four new landscapes, including a pocket park in Washington, a mixed-use development in Northern California, a historic Civil War era preserve in New York and the headquarters of an architecture firm in Georgia. The four projects join 30 others certified by the SITES program. A collaboration of the American Society of Landscape Architects,... read more
