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Become a Landscape Industry Certified Technician

Qualified · Trusted · Recognized

The Landscape Industry Certified Technician 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.

The Landscape Industry Certified Technician test is now an online test that is administered by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Registration for the test can be found at landscapeprofessionals.org

Recertification

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.

Certification is not a substitute for A c-27

Certification is not a substitute for the California landscape contractor’s license (C-27). Passing the Certification Test does not count toward the state license. The goals, subject matter and procedures of the Certification Test are different from the licensing exam conducted by the Contractors State License Board. Certification is not a substitute for any of the state-issued pesticide licenses.

Individual Benefits Of Certification

• Validate your landscape skills, professionalism and commitment to safety.

• Stand out from others in the company and in the industry, and create opportunities for career advancement.

• Ability to meet minimum job requirements.

• Persons passing a Certification Test will receive a certificate, identification card, logo items and recognition on NALP’s Honor Wall.

Employer Benefits of Certification

• Give your company a competitive edge and the opportunity to sell more services by advertising that you have certified employees on staff.

• Show professionalism and expertise when you display credentials in your marketing efforts with logos/decals/certificates.

• Meet minimum job requirements in bids and RFPs that require a certified technician.

Your company will be listed in our “Find a company with Landscape Industry Certified Technicians” page.

National Association of Landscape professionals (NALP) CERTIFICATIONS OFFERED

Landscape Technician Certification (offered in English and Spanish) The Landscape Industry Certified Technician certification is designed for experienced and knowledgeable technicians working in softscape or hardscape installation, maintenance and/or irrigation. More Info—Get Started.

Business Manager Certification The Landscape Industry Certified Business Manager certification is designed for experienced and knowledgeable landscape business owners or managers, or those on the management fast-track. More Info—Get Started.

NALP Certification Process

Step 1.  Enroll
Step 2.  Purchase Study Materials from Suggested List
Step 3.  Study at Your Own Pace
Step 4.  Take the Exam at Your Convenience

For More Information AT CLCA

Allison LoDolce, Certified Technician Program Coordinator
(916) 830-2780 x10
certification@clca.org

LEAF Awards Scholarships

Nine Green Industry Students Receive A Total of $42,500

Seeking to promote and support the future of the green industry, the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation has awarded nine scholarships totaling $42,500. The scholarships ranged from $800 to $12,000.

In 2022, LEAF’s scholarship selection committee reviewed 22 scholarship applications. Their selection criteria included career goals, outside activities, work experience, financial need, letters of recommendation and GPA in their major.

The scholarships — the the donations of CLCA members and other the green industry professionals who fund them — have a huge, positive impact.

—by Marianne Estournes, Chair, LEAF Scholarship Selection Committee

RESCAPE 2023 Trainings—Register Now

What is ReScape?

ReScape is a nonprofit organization that educates about and advocates for a whole-systems regenerative approach to landscaping that works in harmony with the natural world and addresses the changing environment.

Foundational to our work is a whole systems watershed framework that acknowledges that one landscaping input affects the whole ecosystem. All aspects of a healthy community, including of nature communities, must be in coordinated partnership with one another and speak to local geography, as well as regional impact, and rely on management techniques based on sound scientific data, tools, and techniques

ReScape California initially began as the Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Coalition in 2009. The Coalition evolved to become ReScape California in 2015, and grew further when EcoLandscape California merged with ReScape in 2017.

ReScape advocates for state and regional policies that encourage and enable positive investments and implementation measures to address the climate emergency. We work with public agencies and municipalities, government entities and communities who hire our 8 Principles professionals trained in ReScape policy-driven landscape standards and practices. 

Maintenance Qualification TRAINING MQT
February 7, 8, 14, 15 - 9am - 3:30pm

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 Architects and Designers
March 7 - 9am - 12pm

This workshop covers MWELO basics for landscape architects and designers, the two compliance pathways, water budget calculations, optimal use of compost and mulch, plan submittal requirements, and ordinance clarifications followed by hands-on design exercises and answers to your MWELO questions.

Firescaping Qualification Training - (FQT)
March 23, 24 - 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

Design Qualification Training - DQT
May 2, 3, 9, 10 - 9am - 1:30pm

This training provides landscape design professionals with practical tools for designing and constructing healthy landscapes that protect local watersheds, conserve resources and address our changing climate.

Board Meeting Minutes

Central Coast Chapter CLCA Board Meetings were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and December 7, 2022 and January 12, 2023

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 CLCA Central Coast Board Planning Meeting Minutes

Attendees
Phil Dundas, Elise Huffman, Ki Bowman, David Ventura, Bill Bruce, Scott Long, Regan Barry, Chris Wilson, Justin White, Shane White, Cathy Quinn

Call to Order
Phil called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM. Meeting was at GraniteCrete headquarters in Watsonville.
Minutes were approved for Oct.

Treasurer Report
Cathy reviewed the numbers with everyone. There were still some things to go over, which Kathy and Phil will review at another time. Once that is complete the board will need to approve next year's budget. Cathy will send the report to everyone.

Board Updates

• Scott Long will be taking over golf events. We are looking to expand our sponsorships for the tournaments. We also discussed inviting over chapters to our golf tournaments. We need to make sure our sponsors are highlighted at each hole. We also need to do a better job of promoting these events.

• There was a motion made to increase our partnership and advertising fees by 10% from last year. The proposal was seconded and approved.

•  Regan made a suggestion that we make the treasurer's position a paid position. It was discussed but there was no vote on it.

• There was a lengthy discussion around how we get more members. Nothing was decided on, but the entire board agreed we needed to do something.

• The board has approved this year's officers.

  Phil Dundas - President

  David Ventura - Treasurer/Secretary

  Terry Baker - Membership Director

  Scott Long - Event Director

  Bill Bruce - Partnership Director

  Shane White - Education Director

  Regan Berry - Legislative Director

  Gregory Miller - Event Director

Events Schedule
Holiday banquet. Scott was working on the final details of the event.

• The board approved the 2024 calendar of events.

• Mixer is scheduled for Jan 19th at the Beer Mule in Watsonville. It’s scheduled to start at 6:00 PM.

Golf and Supplier night is scheduled for March 23rd.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 CLCA Central Coast Board Planning Meeting Minutes

Attendees Phil Dundas, Gregory Miller, Regan Barry, Shane White, Bill Bruce, Terri Eitzen, Scott Long

Call to Order
Phil called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM. Meeting was at Seascape Golf Course Dining Room

Still need to send meeting minutes from November 8th CLCA planning session to Maria with State (David Ventura was going to send these minutes over, not sure if this is happened, Phil to check in with David and attempt to make sure this happens)

Notes

Discussion around sponsorships from other vendors that currently are not “partners” or sponsors with the CLCA. As well as when we start reaching out for these partners and sponsorships. Typically done in January, nothing too concrete in place as of today, possibly standardize this in the future. January best time? November/December year prior?

• Bill Bruce to work with Kathy to review prior year list and add more vendors as a “wish list” to add vendors and increase sponsorships

• Bill to bring spreadsheet to January’s meeting to review “wish list” and finalize with the board

• Bill/Kathy and (if needed) some board members to help contact and get in touch with each vendor to get them signed up and become sponsors

• Budget Approved unanimously by all (7) board members

Community Outreach

Phil has connection with a few people from Habitat from Humanity who are coming to Holiday party tomorrow night, plan is to talk more with them and develop plan to help them out at a site in Santa Cruz (CLCA to donate labor and expertise around irrigation and planting, Phil to handle coordination at this point and bring information back to board of how and when we can help and get other contractors involved to help out)

• CLCA Ad in Newspaper: Elise/Ki moving forward with print ad for Santa Cruz Sentinel and GoodTimes to bring awareness to the CLCA utilizing grant money from State (up to $4,000.00 has been approved per Regan and Phil). Regan shared the general idea and what the add terminology will entail, everyone agreed we should move forward before we miss our chance (funding only available for 2023). Regan to let Kai know to move forward and get the best bang for our buck with the ad size and frequency. Kai to move forward and handle running ads in both places.

Christmas Party 2022

• Scott and Regan met with Seascape Golf folks to coordinate and get things set up, great job, appreciate you guys making this happen

• Good to go, it will be held at Seascape Golf Course main dining/bar area

• Agreement shows the $500.00 deposit has not been paid, Phil and Regan to get on the phone tonight and coordinate getting the final check prepared and ready to bring to the party tomorrow

• Doors open at 6 PM with 1 hour of an open bar for beer/wine, then it will be no-host bar, everyone to purchase drinks on their own after 7 PM

• Dinner at 7 PM

• Gregory and Martha to handle registration table, Regan to send attendance spreadsheet to Gregory so they have the information they need (discussed the challenge if people show up who are not registered and how do we collect payment. If this happens, Gregory will get their information and collect later, hopefully collect a check at the door if possible)

• White Elephant-there will be a table for this, Chris Elliot to help run it on night of.

• Podium will be available as well

Roles for Board Members

• Scott Long-Director of Special Projects

• Haydi Danielson-discussed bringing her on as an assistant for Terri to help with membership, possibly have her become an official board member moving forward in 2023

• Shane White-Director of Education

February Education Event

Discussed briefly about next education event, currently planning on holding a financial education presentation at GraniteRock Seaside upstairs meeting room on Tuesday, February 21st 11:30-2:30 PM. Shane working with GraniteRock folks to secure location, final details to be discussed in January and begin advertising for event

To do’s:

• Phil to check in with David Ventura and check in on Board Meeting minutes from November and get final copy to Maria/State

• Bill Bruce to work with Kathy to review prior year list of vendors/sponsors and add more vendors as a “wish list” to add vendors and increase sponsorships

• Bill to bring spreadsheet to January’s meeting to review “wish list” and finalize with the board

• Phil to coordinate Habitat for Humanity project and let the board know what the next steps are and how we can help

• Regan to let Ki know to move forward with CLCA print ad and get the best bang for our buck with the ad size and frequency. Kai to move forward and handle running ads in both places.

• Phil and Regan to coordinate and handle final payment for 2022 Holiday Party (bring check to Seascape 12/8 before/at event)  

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm.

JANUARY 12, 2022 CLCA Central Coast Board Planning Meeting Minutes

 Attendees Phil Dundas, Regan Barry, Elise Huffman, Terri Baker, Chris Wilson, Ki Bowman

Call to Order
Phil called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM. No quorum to approve minutes from Nov./Dec. meetings, will do via email

Need to appoint new Board Members

• Secretary: Haydi Danielson, and Events Coordinator/Special Events: Scott Long, Shane White: Education and possibly Treasurer.

• Regan will call Shane and Scott Long, Phil will talk to Haydi.

Chapter Public Outreach Pilot Program

• Did not act fast enough to get the funding available for advertising from CLCA state in 2022.

• Regan will look into sharing information on new legislation, this is something that gives value to membership.

• Membership—will talk in February about making calls, action plan for reaching out to potential members.

• Website/Newsletter—Elise is working on the Partners and Advertisers pages in Constant Contact…will send links soon for approval

Events

• 2023 Kick Off at Beer Mule Jan 19th

• Upcoming Leadership Conference in Sacramento. Phil, Terri Regan and perhaps Chris will go

Education Events

• Predictable Profit—February 21, 11:30-2:30 at GraniteRock in Seaside, Elise is working with Shane W. on promo and registration pages (awaiting info) This is an event sponsored by Central Coast CLCA

• Suppliers Night, need location

Miscellaneous

• Elise will check with Cathy Quinn on the 10% increase amounts for Advertising and Partners Program, setting up online signup and payment.

• Elise requests that we set up account with local print vendor so that she doesn’t pay with her credit card. Elise will talk to Cathy Q.

• Review 2023 Budget pushed to February meeting

Meeting adjourned at 1:30 pm.