EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS and information

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/530339051907480

Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/jdfyjd9z

CLCA Works for Responsible Transition to Zero-Emission

How can green industry professionals balance their commitment to be stewards of the environment while maintaining financial viability?

Will using gas-powered leaf blowers be illegal in California in three years?

Can zero emission technology reliably power day-to-day professional use?

Will a growing market for zero-emission equipment drive technological innovation that will reduce costs and overcome performance shortfalls?

Will you spend more time charging batteries for zero-emission equipment than actually using them?

Can your company’s infrastructure and California’s power grid recharge all these batteries?

These are just some of the questions green industry professionals are asking following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s October 9 signing of legislation ordering state regulators to ban the sale of new gas-powered equipment using small off-road engines as early as 2024.

With advocacy and education, the California Landscape Contractors Association is taking action to help you answer these questions and successfully transition to a realistic zero-emission future.

Read more here…

About MWELO

The California Landscape Contractors Association was involved in the creation of the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (Assembly Bill 325, Clute), which was signed in to law in 1990. This led to additional work 14 years later on Assembly Bill 2717, which passed in 2004. This bill requested that the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC) convene a stakeholder task force, comprised of public and private agencies, to re-evaluate landscape water conservation and recommend proposals for improving the efficiency of water use in new and urban landscapes in California.Webinars: MWELO Essential Elements Workshop Series (MEEWS)…read more here.

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There are webinars that address the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance’s (MWELO) essential elements. MWELO Trainings can be found online at CLCA’s site: https://www.clca.org/industry-resources/mwelo/

Learning Objectives:

• Receive knowledge of MWELO’s most important elements.

  1. Receive knowledge of the watershed approach, plants, soil, irrigation, water budgeting and integrated pest management.

  2. Receive knowledge of overall water efficient landscape best management practices (BMPs).

Verified attendees of the live version of these webinars received CEUs for APLD, AWWA, IA, ISA, NALP and QWEL. Viewing these as recorded webinars may count for CEUs for some self-reporting certifications like NALP, QWEL and AWWA. Recommendation: Check with your certification provider to be sure.

https://www.clca.org/events/meews20200519/

MWELO Certification Trainings For Spring 2022

Maintenance Qualification Training - May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 - 8am-12pm
This training provides landscape maintenance professionals with practical tools to manage healthy landscapes. Learn about regenerative landscape practices from leading experts in soil health, irrigation, plant care, integrated pest management, and more. 

Design/Maintenance Qualification Renewal Training - June 2 - 8am-2pm
ReScape wants you to dig in the soil! For our renewal trainings we will be identifying several practicum sites for you to refresh your soil assessment skills, measure out irrigation, identify native plants, refresh your knowledge of MWELO and SB 1383 and more. Stay tuned as we confirm the landscapes that will be regenerated! 

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If you’d like to learn more about the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) and topics like water use efficiency, urban water use efficiency, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and available programs please go to the California Department of Water Resources to learn more.

Ecology Action Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)

Ecology Action has organized a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) training sponsored by our local water utilities and in partnership with Watsonville Adult Ed. We decided to combine the bilingual Green Gardener training with QWEL, to allow people who are aren't quite ready for the scheduling math/auditing component of QWEL to still take course and earn Green Gardener certification. Registration and info is live at qwel.net. See flyer below:

Water Conservation Coalition Seeking Applicants

Water Conservation Coalition is seeking applicants for the Monterey Bay Friendly Landscaping - Climate Victory Garden Grant program.

https://green-gardener.org/rebates/monterey-bay-friendly-landscaping-grants/

This was the same source of funding that made Vai Campbell's Memorial Garden possible. If CLCA has an idea for a community service project in 2022, this could be a good way to get some extra funding and community involvement. See flyer below:

2022 Spring-Summer Professional Trainings

Maintenance Qualification Training 

May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 - 8am-12pm
This training provides landscape maintenance professionals with practical tools to manage healthy landscapes. Learn about regenerative landscape practices from leading experts in soil health, irrigation, plant care, integrated pest management, and more. 

MWELO for Landscape Designers & Architects  

May 18  - 8:30am-12:30pm 
Experts will walk you through the permit application process and explain the basics of MWELO, the different compliance pathways, plan submittal requirements, inspection/audit requirements while addressing the top 100 most asked questions regarding plants, irrigation, soil, mulch, water features and more.  

Firescaping Qualification Training 

June 6, 7 - 9am-1pm 
The course provides comprehensive best practices in regenerative landscaping, specifically oriented to reducing fire hazards and preparing cities and large property owners/managers for safety before, during and after a firestorm. Douglas Kent, author of the best-selling book on landscaping for fire protection, "Firescaping," will be teaching the course. 

View Our Calendar

RQP Renewal Opportunity, Apply by April 30th to Attend.

Attend 3+ ReScape Earth Day Celebration Events 
Along with professional paid membership, RQPs must submit verification that they have continued their regenerative landscape education by participating in trainings or events- classes, webinars, etc.- aligned with ReScape 8 Principles. 3 hours of CEU’s and a paid professional membership are required to renew ReScape Qualification for one year. 
 
Limited time opportunity: The ReScape Earth Day 2022 online events are free and will be celebrating each of our 8 Principles. Event times, lengths and formats are diverse and we’re expanding our schedule every day. Events will be “live”, and not recorded for viewing at a later time. 
 
Opportunity ends after April 30th. Attend now! Our membership fees will be increasing on 1 May following this Celebration.

Renew Now

EVENTS

A great time was had by all!

Suppliers/New Members Night Held March 24th

We tried something new this year, with two events taking place back-to-back on the same day! CLCA Central Coast’s Suppliers Night, aka New Members Night was very well attended and very enjoyable. We had a raffle and items were donated by Granite Rock, Coastal Evergreen, and Whey 2 Grow, and others. (Please let me know if I missed your donation). Everyone was treated to a delicious taco bar dinner.

Companies set up outside on the balcony to display wares, answer questions, and discuss their products and services. Contractors were given a free dinner compliments of the Central Coast Chapter.
Thank you Matt Gomez at Ewing, for pulling together such a fine event: mgomez@ewingirrigation.com

Golf Fun Day

We had some fun— Thursday, March 24, 2022

Now wait a minute, are these children playing or Central Coast members on their “Fun Golf Day?” Regan we may have the wrong photo?

We have a few photos from the golf fun day, but mostly people were having such a good time playing that they forgot to take photos! The event was immediately before the Suppliers/New Members Night at DeLaveaga Golf Club. Our chapter loves golf! Thank you Terry Baker from Granite Rock, our new membership director for these photos below…if anyone else has photos that they would like to share, in the future, please send them to Elise.

special Report

Central Coast Water Management Summit

I recently had the privilege to attend this Ground Breaking event. Organized by Justin White and the entire K & D team, they assembled a crack team of water management professionals to share information on how to best use our most valuable California resource, WATER!

First we listened to Water Management Specialist, Bob Costa, explain how best to look at a new or existing site, evaluate all of the many aspects which go into efficient irrigation, and to install or upgrade that system to use every drop of water to keep our landscapes healthy and thriving. Next Michael Johnson explain how to implement these strategies through proper use of equipment, most importantly, Controller Programing, to avoid the dreaded R word “Water Runoff.

After an excellent lunch, provided by the Seascape Golf Course staff, we had a panel discussion with representatives from local Central Coast Water Districts on the state of local water supplies, rebates available to help reduce water use in the landscape and how to better communicate with contractors and end users to find and repair water loss thru leaks. Finally a panel of industry leading manufacturers answered questions about water conserving technology, equipment and free education opportunities.

This event was well attended by contractors and their teams, designers, property managers, HOA members interested in water savings, which of course saves money, and educators and students, who hold the key to our areas future. We are all aware of the critical drought that is affecting not only the Central Coast, but the entire Western United States, so the efficient and effective application of water is paramount in the survival of landscapes and agriculture, and our entire style of life. Central Coast has always been a trend setter in water conservation, so jump on board and follow our lead.
—Chris Elliot

Article

Sustainable, Permeable, Safe: The GraniteCrete Solution

By Sarah Vickers-Webb

If you walked the Golden Gate Bridge in the past few years, chances are you've experienced the benefits of GraniteCrete paving materials. Providing an ADA compliant, environmentally friendly surfacing solution for visitors, GraniteCrete was the perfect choice for the heavily trafficked area.

Founded by Geoff Smith in 1995, GraniteCrete originally provided natural paving surface for residential gardens and entryways in Carmel and Pebble Beach. After performing well in harsh environments at the high tide line of the Pacific Ocean, the product is now widely used throughout California for private driveways to heavily trafficked public walkways.

From helping the environment, to managing water flow and preventing slips, decomposed granite is the solution to many paving problems. GraniteCrete uses decomposed granite to provide ADA compliant paving solutions with an emphasis on sustainability.

What is decomposed granite?
Decomposed granite is a 100% natural granite derivative. As granite erodes over time, it falls away and crumbles into smaller pieces, which can be crushed into ever tinier particles depending on the project.

Traditional materials like concrete and asphalt are impermeable, meaning water falls over rather than through the surface. This can cause water pooling on the sides of the material and increases how slippery the surface is. In the long term, this can affect water quality, streamflow, and even flood risk.

In contrast, decomposed granite is porous and permeable, allowing water to flow through the materials into the ground as nature intended. As a result, surfaces are less slippery and water is less likely to collect in concentrated areas.

In its natural state, decomposed granite appears similar to gravel, usually sold as 3⁄8 inch or smaller particles. It’s generally sold in three forms, natural, with stabilizers, or with resin. Natural decomposed granite is frequently used as mulch material, used much like wood mulch, but longer lasting. Decomposed granite with stabilizers is a great solution for paths and patios, often placed over another gravel material, pressed and left with a loose layer on top. DG with resin is generally used for driveways, with a similar surface to asphalt, but a more natural appearance.

But there’s a downside to using resin-stabilized decomposed granite. Not only does it fade over time, it has limited permeability — the benefit of using decomposed granite in the first place.

The GraniteCrete Solution
To create a firm, durable, permeable surface that stands up to foot, and even light vehicular traffic, GraniteCrete developed the GraniteCrete Admixture.

“Geoff, our founder, was in the landscaping business for 40 years and dealt with all of those other ones,” said Senior Account Manager David Ventura. That’s one of the reasons he developed this particular recipe.”

Decomposed granite stabilized with GraniteCreteTM Admixture looks and feels like a crushed organic surface, and offers multiple surface finish options: loose, smooth, and coarse. It requires minimal to no maintenance, maintains color, and controls erosion. When stabilized with the Admixture, GraniteCrete remains permeable, approved and accepted as a 100% permeable product by Monterey County.

GraniteCrete is also sustainable. Free of oils, resins, polymers or enzyme that could leach into the ground, GraniteCrete can also be mixed with local soils, and is manufactured using pre and post consumer recycled materials

Unlike other decomposed granite, GraniteCrete is also permanent —no erosion, no spreading. The resulting product is maintenance free, as the combined mixture allows small cracks to heal with fines from the surface.

Custom Color Options
Another element that sets GraniteCrete apart from the competition is its wide range of color options. Not only does the company offer five earth tone color options, customers can request custom colors.

According to Ventura, the ability to customize color options is a major selling point.

“There are a lot of contractors that will use cement to stabilize the decomposed granite, but one of the problems is that the cement discolors whatever decomposed granite that you're using. We have found a process to put that color back into it,” he said.

GraniteCrete first used this process when working on a project to expand the Marin Headlands. The headland's characteristic red-brown color was formed millions of years ago from lava mixing with the microscopic protozoans.

In most cases, GraniteCrete Admixture is mixed with decomposed granite brought from an outside quarry. Here, GC excavated cherts which we sieved to specification before being combined with the Admixture. GraniteCrete has since used this procedure to create custom colors for residential and commercial properties.

“When you go through a park and instead of seeing cement or concrete in there, you've got a nice tone that looks natural, you know, aesthetically pleasing, it fits into the landscape, '' said Venture. “It's just a totally different look.”

ADA Compliance
GraniteCrete Admixture is also ADA compliant. As the product’s porosity keeps surfaces smooth and relatively dry in wet conditions, it’s an excellent choice for parks and commercial areas.

To meet ADA compliance standards, ground and floor surfaces along accessible routes must be stable, firm and slip-resistant. Accessible surfaces must also remain unchanged by external forces, objects and materials.

While materials like gravel, cobblestone or sand are unstable and subject to weather and traffic, traditional non-porous paving creates an extremely slippery surface in the rain. GraniteCrete avoids this problem by providing a safe, smooth, stable, and permanent surface, creating a more easeful experience.

“The test simulates a wheelchair rolling on it,” said Ventura. “So more and more cities are starting to adopt that. We're hoping to do that in early 2022.”

Overcoming Limitations
According to Ventura, residents in urban communities can use GraniteCrete’s Admixture to overcome hard landscaping, or hardscape, requirements on their property.

“With some homes, by the time they just put their house on the property, they've used up all their hardscape,” he said. “So they can't use the driveway in it, they can't use any sidewalks, any patio in the backyard, none of that stuff can be a nonpermeable hardscape solution.

“If you're building a home in San Francisco, you can only use a percentage of that home as hardscape, meaning concrete, asphalt, those kinds of things. Once you meet that percentage, everything else on the property has to be either permeable or a softscape. That's where the appeal to our product really comes in,” said Ventura.

Looking Forward
Over the past year, GraniteCrete has made major headway in the market. Not only did the business experience record sales, up 50% from the 2020, it doubled their retailer network, adding locations in Sacramento, Southern california and South Carolina.

Venture is optimistic about the company’s future.
“I've been with the company a little over three years now, we had probably a half-dozen stores throughout, between Monterey and Sonoma Napa area. We've almost tripled that number now, and now we're in LA, San Diego, South Carolina, Southern California—we've got a good representation.”

Board Meeting Minutes

Central Coast Chapter CLCA Board Meeting on March 11th, 2022

Present: Phil Dundas, Matt Gomez, Regan Berry, David Ventura, Justin White, Ki Bowman, Elise Huffman,

Call to Order
● Phil called the meeting to order at 12:05 pm.
● The January and February minutes were approved via email.

Newsletter and Website Updates
● Ki reported the website and the calendar is up to date.

Board Updates
● Regan Berry would like to be the legislative representative for the Central Coast Chapter. There was a motion made to elect Regan Berry to the position of Legislative Representative for the Central Coast Chapter of the CLCA. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Events Schedule
● The Golf and Suppliers
—Most of the meeting was a discussion around the Suppliers/New Member event
—Everything is set for the night.
—Matt reported there are 32 golfers and 27 suppliers sign up so far.
—There was a discussion about who could come to the event. Any C27 contractors can be invited to the event.
—Matt confirmed the country club will supply the tables.
—CCC to setup booth at Suppliers Night.
—Cathy will need help at the registration booth. Elise said she would help.

● Summer Gala
—Regan to contact CLCA to get flyers.
—The biggest thing the committee wants to accomplish for the Gala is to recruit new members.

Education
● Nothing to report.

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm.