February 1, 2012

The presentations and handouts listed here were used as a part of the 2013 Grow Green Landscape Professional Training series and reflect the opinions of individual presenters.

Matt Hollon

John Gleason

Kristin Carlton

February 8, 2012

Dr. Mark Simmons

Matt O'Toole

Michael Embesi

February 15, 2012

Brian Bomer

Drema Gross

February 22, 2012

Troy Nixon

Woody Raine

Alan Watts

Doug Christensen

February 29th, 2012

Dick Peterson

Stacy Neef

Daphne Richards

March 7, 2012

Dr. David Chalmers

“My whole business modeling is changing and Grow Green added fuel to that change”.

“I expect to use more rain gardens and bioswales and continue to promote better soils to improve water availability to plants.”

“Although much of this was review, it was really helpful to listen to the best experts in Austin, and learn more about the City ordinances affecting design”.

“Great program. Love it, will return next year. Thank you so much”.

“Very well-organized, and the speakers all presented very actionable information”.

January 23, 2013

The presentations and handouts listed here were used as a part of the 2013 Grow Green Landscape Professional Training series and reflect the opinions of individual presenters.

Nora Mullarkey - Water Use and Conservation

Dan Pedersen - Water Reclamation in Austin

Sasha Earl - Rainwater Harvesting

Peter Varga - Water Conservation Code Revisions and Watering Variances

Susan Hoover - Water Budgeting / Irrigation Techniques

Jody Slagle - Dillo Dirt

January 30, 2013

Wizzie Brown - Ants: ID & Management

Ana Gonzalez & Lara Schuman - Tree Care

Daphne Richards - Plant Nomenclature & Physiology

Erin Cord - Attracting Wildlife

Liz McVeety - Least Toxic Solutions to Most Common Pest Problems

February 6, 2013

Glee Ingram - Applied Sustainable Landscaping: A Case Study

Susan Kenzle - Rain Gardens

Erin Wood - Commercial Landscape Ordinance

February 13, 2013

Jim Linardos - General Fire Behavior

Josh Portie - Firewise

Michael Embesi - Site Considerations, Tree Ordinance

Chris Harper - Considerations: Protected Species and Protected Property (habits)

Rich Gray - Development and Implementation of Fuels Reduction Projects

 

“Great opportunity to keep up-to-date with new ideas and regulations in a nice atmosphere surrounded by people who want to support our area’s environment.”

“Hearing extremely knowledgeable people discuss how and why they do things gives me a better base from which to work with other professionals whose fields abut or slightly overlap mine.”

“There is always something I get from the training that changes how I teach my clients to maintain their space, whether its pest management, pruning or plant selection.”

“I will definitely be continuing to educate the public on wildfire. This course helped me see how to effectively share this information.” “All speakers well immersed in the content and are open to collaboration and the bigger picture. Excellent in all regards.”

July 16, 2014

The presentations and handouts listed here were used as a part of the 2013 Grow Green Landscape Professional Training series and reflect the opinions of individual presenters.

Agenda

Michael Embesi
Navigating Tree Regulations

Lara Schuman
Caring for Mature Trees Navigating Tree Regulations

Andrea DeLong-Amaya
Native Plants for Texas Landscapes

Paige Oliverio & Mitch Wright
Permaculture - The New Culture of Food & Urbanity

Keith Brown
Common Tree Pests & Solutions

July 23, 2014

Agenda

Dr. David Villarreal, Texas Department of Agriculture
For questions about Environmental Issues with Use of Landscape Chemicals contact: David.Villarreal@TexasAgriculture.gov
Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program

Wizzie Brown
Fire Ant Management

Perry Cervantes, Texas Department of Agriculture
For questions about Pesticide Laws and Regulations contact: Perry.Cervantes@TexasAgriculture.gov
Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program

Mike Kelly & Darcy Nuffer
Managing Expectations for Large Constructions Projects

Matt Hollon
Landscape & Watershed Ordinance Updates

Atha Phillips
An Easy Guide to Passing Landscape Inspections

July 30, 2014

Agenda

Meredith Gray & Chris Sanchez
Vegetable Gardening, Wicking Beds, and Hugelkultur

Zach Herigodt
Edible Landscaping

Jane Tillman
Designing Landscapes for Life

Tom Franke
Green Alleys and Rain Gardens

Daphne Richards
Personal Protective Equipment

August 6, 2014

Agenda

Jody Slagle
The Magic of Composting

Fred Phillips
Restoring the Colorado River and Its Delta, Lessons Learned

William Glenn
The Soil Sponge: Compost

Mark Jordan
Drought & Utility Update

Markus Hogue
Water Conservation Through Irrigation Technology

John Abbott
Jacob Johnson
Chris Charles
Austin Water Rebates

August 13, 2014

Agenda

Will Boettner
Know Your Role

Justice Jones
From at Risk to Empowered

Ryan Hebrink
Environmentally Minded Mitigation

Michael Embesi
Mitigating to Preserve High Value Trees

Glen Gillman
Wildland Fire Behaving Badly

Daphne Richards
Added Value Landscaping

August 25, 2015

Know Your Role - Know Your Role
Will Boettner, Texas A&M Forest Service

Virtual Assessments
Virtual Assessment 1
Virtual Assessment 2
Virtual Assessment 3
Virtual Assessment 4

Environmentally-Minded Mitigation - Environmental BMPS for Firewise Landscaping
Ryan Hebrink, Watershed Protection

Mitigating to Preserve High-Value Trees - Mitigating to Preserve High-Value Trees
Michael Embesi, City of Austin Arborist

Wildland Fire: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly - Wildland Fire: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Lucien Ball, Austin Water Utility

Fire Effects on Native Landscaping - Fire Effects on Native Landscaping
Michelle Bertelsen, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Landscaping for Wildlife in the Wildland Urban Interface - Landscaping for Wildlife in the Wildland Urban Interface
Meredith Gray, Parks and Recreation

July 21, 2015

Water Conservation: Drought Update
Drema Gross - Water Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water

Gray Water: Navigating Through City Code
Robert Stefani - Conservation Program Specialist, Austin Water

Gray Water: Projects and Irrigation Connections
Chris Maxwell-Gaines, P.E. - Innovative Water Solutions, LLC

Reclaimed water: Using Bulk Fill Stations
Bill Kemp - Caracara Farm

Design: Earthworks and Landscape Design for Water Conservation
Betty Lambright - As Right As Rain

Soil: Contractor Use of Soils
Jared Pyka - ValleyCrest

Water Conservation: Water Conservation Landscape Programs
Chris Charles - Water Conservation Associate Austin Water

June 23, 2015

Creekside Landscaping - Riparian Restoration
Ana Gonzalez, Watershed Protection Department

Green Infrastructure Working Group - Integrate Nature Into the City
Erin Wood - Watershed Protection Department

So You want to Build A Rain Garden - So You Want to Build a Rain Garden
Tom Franke, EIT & Michelle Adlong, Watershed Protection Department

Turf Problems and IPM - Lawn Problems an integrated pest management approach
Daphne Richards, County Extension Agent—Horticulture Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Ants: Identification, Biology and Management - Ants: Identification & Management
Wizzie Brown - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Mosquitos - Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM)
Sabrina V idaurri, MS, RS, City of Austin/Travis County Health Department

March 24, 2015

Plants Running Hot & Cold - Plants Running Cold, Hot & Dry
Denise Delaney, City of Austin Watershed Protection

Austin’s Tree Regulations - Austin's Tree Regulations
Michael Embesi, PDRD Tree Program

Landscaping with Trees for Water Conservation - Designing for Trees for Drought
Vincent Debrock

Native Plant Combos - Native Plants for Texas Landscapes
Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Professional Pruning - Professional Prunning
Laura Schuman, Parks & Recreation Department

Plants for Rain Gardens & Bioswales - Plants for Biofiltration Systems
Elizabeth McGreevy, Roc + Solid Land Design

Feb 24, 2015

Big Picture Local Food System - Austin's Sustainable Food System is a Local One
Edwin Marty

Alternative Ways to Water - Alternative Gardening and Watering Methods
Meredith Gray, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Chris Sanchez, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Rainwater Harvesting - Rainwater Harvesting for Grow Green Professionals
Dick Peterson

Sustainable Landscaping with Tough Herbs - Sustainable Landscaping with Tough Herbs Colleen
Dieter, Red Wheelbarrow

Landscaping for Wildlife - Landscaping for Wildlife
LaJuan D. Tucker, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

Sustainability

"Many of the conservation techniques/practices will be applicable"

"Knowledge of the presenters, and enough time available for in-depth treatment of topics."

"Diverse speakers, great information, great atmosphere and attitudes"

Plants

"The best thing about today’s training was the variety of speakers and material presented was very practical…can implement in the field immediately".

"The tree pruning information was highly informational"

Water Quality and Integrated Pest Management

"I love rain gardens! I learned a lot of new information on different designs, testing soil, infiltration and filtration"

"Plan to apply ant identification, rain gardens, bio media information and encouraging creekside wilding"

Water Conservation

"I love how you start with information on drought updates and city codes then beef up (or tofu) the subject!"

"I always learn a lot from these trainings. I liked that most everything flows well and is on time."

Firewise

"My organization is concerned with risk. This is a risk we don’t yet manage. This is a good way to start".

"I appreciate the level of expertise that you provided for the training sessions."

July 21, 2015

Drought Update
Drema Gross, Water Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water

Gray Water - Navigating Through City Code
Robert Stefani, Conservation Program Specialist, Austin Water

Gray Water - Projects and Irrigation Connections
Chris Maxwell-Gaines P.E., Innovative Water Solutions, LLC

Using Bulk Fill Stations
Bill Kemp, Caracara Farm

As Right As Rain
Betty Lambright, Earthworks and Landscape Design for Water Conservation

Contractor Use of Soils
Jared Pyka, ValleyCrest

Water Conservation Rebate Programs
Water Chris Charles, Austin Water

June 23, 2015

Green Infrastructure Working Group
Erin Wood - Watershed Protection Department

So You want to Build A Rain Garden
Tome Franke, EIT & Michelle Adlong, Watershed Protection Department

March 24, 2015

Plants Running Hot, Cold & Dry
Denise Delaney, City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department

Austin’s Tree Regulations
Michael Embesi, City of Austin Planning & Development Review

Landscaping with Trees for Water Conservation
Vincent Debrock, Texas Heritage Tree Care, LLC

Native Plant Combinations
Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The University of Texas at Austin

Professional Pruning
Lara Schuman, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department

Plants for Rain Gardens & Bioswales
Elizabeth McGreevey + Solid Land Design

A Grower's Perspective
Pat McNeal, NcNeal Growers

February 24, 2015

Welcome - Opening Remarks
Denise Delaney, Watershed Protection Department
Meredith Gray, Parks & Recreation Department

Big Picture Local Food System
Edwin Marty, Office of Sustainability

Sustainable Landscaping with Tough Herbs
Colleen Dieter, Red Wheelbarrow

Alternative Ways to Water
Meredith Gray & Chris Sanchez, Parks and Recreation Department

Landscaping for Wildlife
LaJuan Tucker, Parks & Recreation Department

Rainwater Harvesting for Grow Green Professionals 5
Dick Peterson

January 15th, 2016

Agenda

Bob Rose, LCRA Chief Meteorologist
Spring and Summer Weather Outlook

Lauren Stanley, Stanley Studios Architecture + Metalwork
Urban Nature: Propagating Green Roofs

Jonathan Garner, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center the University of Texas at Austin
Introduction to the Sustainable Sites Initiative

Heather Venhaus, Regenerative Environmental Design, LLC
High Performance Urban Ecosystems

Staryn Wagner, Watershed Protection Department
Leaky Cisterns: Better Than Good, They're Great!

Katie Coyne, Asakura Robinson Company
Connecting Systems and People Using Urban Ecological Planning and Design

Kirby Fry, Southern Culture
Sustainable Design & Urban Permaculture

January, 29th, 2016

Agenda

Hank Smith, Home Builders Association of Greater Austin
Sensible Landscaping for Central Texas

Brett Briant, Lower Colorado River Authority
Water Conservation Rebates and Programs

Amy Uyen Truong, Texas A&M Institute of Natural Resources
Forrest Cobb, Texas A&M Institute of Natural Resources
The Drought Survivability Study

Matthew Stamm, Cougar Irrigation
Efficient Irrigation Techniques

Susan Kenzle, RLA, LI, ISA
Darcy Nuffer, RLA, LI, LEED AP - City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department
Rain Gardens: Plant selection

Tom Franke - City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department
Michelle Adlong - City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department
So You Want to Build a Rain Garden… What have we learned so far?

February 12, 2016

Agenda

Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Plant Selection for the Family Garden at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

James Plyer, Native Texas Nursery
Trowel and Error: Overcoming the Challenges of Providing Native Plants (and sometimes not)

John Clement, Watershed Protection Department
Dealing With Invasive Plants in Residential and Commercial Landscapes

Liz McVeety, Parks & Recreation Department
Perils and Pleasures of Pruning

Keith Brown, Austin Tree Experts
Myths and Fact About Trees

Vincent DeBrock, Heritage Tree LLC
Trees and Soil: Why Landscapers are Key for the Urban Forest

February 26, 2016

Agenda

Mitchell Wright ASLA, AICP, LEED AP, Vista Planning and Design
Festival Beach Food Forest Case Study

Meredith O'Reilly, 4-H CAPITAL Project/Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Supporting Wildlife with Habitats and Integrated Pest Mana

Robinson Sudan, New Leaf and Pollinator Partnership
Role of Pollinators/IPM

Christopher Sanchez, City of Ausitn Parks and Recreation Department
Straw Bale Planting Demonstration

Cathy Downs, Hill Country Master Naturalist, Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas Program
Milkweeds and Monarchs Made

March 11, 2016

Agenda

Justice Jones , Austin Fire Department
Firewise Design Considerations

Sarah Dooling, University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
A Future Vision of Design Practice in the Context of Uncertainty, Rapid Change and Inequities

"Speakers seem very knowledgeable on their topics. Minimal repetition but building on each other well."

"Directed to us, the professionals. Up-to-date information; very insightful."

"Learned a lot of new tree care methods."

"Reminded me our natives are as beautiful as any landscape plants promoted by books for other parts of the US."

"Have really enjoyed just learning about people in the industry (speakers). Has expanded my scope and resource base."

"Really enjoyed the hands-on sessions."

January 20, 2017

Agenda

Jason Traweek, City of Austin Development Services
Urban Forestry Grant Program

Rob Grotty, City of Austin Public Works
ROW Trees and You

Markus Smith, Just Trees
Tree Talk

Keith Babberney, City of Austin Development Services
Introduction to Tree Diagnosis

Amy Truong, Texas Water Resources Institute
Forrest Cobb, Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources
The Drought Survivability Study (presentation)
The Drought Survivability (report)

Cathy Justice, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Groundcovers and Habiturf

Hans Landel, Ph.D., Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Invasive Species and the Managed Landscape Horticultural Codes of Practice (UK)
Chinese Pistache Weed Risk Assessment
Chinese Privet Weed Risk Assessment
Golden Bamboo Weed Risk Assessment
Pampas grass Weed Risk Assessment
Ligustrum Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council (TIPPC) Plant Assessment Form
Nandina Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council (TIPPC) Plant Assessment Form

February 3, 2017

Agenda

Grace Barnett, National Wildlife Federation
Battle for Butterflies

Greg Mast, Central Texas Food Bank
Fruit and Nut Trees

Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Taste of Place: Edible Native Plants

Chris Sanchez, Parks and Recreation
Food Forest Introduction

LaJuan Tucker, Parks and Recreation
Coyotes in Urban Places

Pat McNeal, McNeal Grower's
Oh Deer

February 17, 2017

Agenda

Christopher Charles, Austin Water Utility
Waterwise Rainscape Rebate

Saul Nuccitelli, Watershed Protection
Proposed Drainage Discount Program

Dick Peterson, DickPeterson.com
Catch Me if You Can

Tom Franke, Watershed Protection
So You Want to Build a Rain Garden

Vincent DeBrock, Heritage Tree Care, LLC
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Case Study

Susan Kenzle & Haile Acayla Watershed Protection
Rain Garden Maintenance

March 3, 2017

Agenda

Daphne Richards, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Understanding Plant Nutrition

Sabrina Viduarri, City of Austin Health and Human Services
Mosquitoes & Rodents

Erin Wood, Watershed Protection Dept.
Exploring the Green Elements of Code NEXT

Elizabeth McGreevy, Droplet Ecological Land Planning & Design
Gravel in the Landscape: Dos and Don'ts

Denise Delaney, Watershed Protection Dept.
Trowel and Error: Maintaining Naturalistic Landscapes

March 27, 2017

Chief Dawn Clopton, Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division
Introduction

Nate Casebeer, David Gimnich Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division
What and Where is the WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface)?

Rob Galbrath USAA Insurance Company
Insurance Risk Ratings

Bill Childs, Versante Canyon Firewise Community
Firewise Communities

Mark Baker, Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division
Landscape Design and Maintenance to Reduce Wildfire Risk in the WUI

"Lots of good information from people who have actually put procedures into practice & could report factual results."

"The sessions get better every year! Thanks!"

"Presenters were all excellent! Dynamic, inspiring, professional, knowledgeable!"

"Subject matter was something I can apply myself."

"I understand rain gardens so much better now and will be able to help others design & implement them."

January 18, 2018

Agenda

The Subterranean City: Soil and Urban Sustainability
Dr. Kevin Anderson*, Austin Water

Making Informed Choices when Choosing Landscape Products
Phil Gosh, Organics by Gosh

Alternative Water Use
Robert Stefani, Austin Water

Setting Your SITES on Gold
Justin Hayes, UT Dell Medical District

Trees 101 for Landscape Professionals
Rebecca Johnson, Arborholic

Common Austin-area Tree Problems
Keith Babberney*, Development Services

February 1, 2018

Agenda

2018 Landscape & Gardening Trends
Denise Delaney, Watershed Protection

Designing in Urban Landscapes
David Cazares, LEED, AP MWM Design Group

Technology in the Landscape Industry
Andrew Walsh, Terra Dura Landscaping

Firewise Landscape Design
Mark Baker, Austin Fire Department, Wildfire Division

Wildfire Division Presentation
Nia Henry, Austin Fire Department, Wildfire Division

Firewise Plants - Part One
Firewise Plants - Part Two
Michelle Bertelson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

February 15, 2018

Agenda

Water Conservation Update
Mark Jordan, Austin Water

Drainage Charge Discount
Anupa Gharpurey, Watershed Protection

Rainscape Rebates
Chris Charles, Austin Water

Rain Gardens: What Have We Learned
Tom Franke, Watershed Protection

Rain Gardens, et cetera
Susan Kenzle, Watershed Protection

Zilker Botanical Garden Stream Bed Plant List
David Mahler, Environmental Survey Consulting

Leaky Cisterns
Staryn Wagner, Watershed Protection

Design, Installation & Maintenance of Cisterns
Brad Krimmel, Texas Metal Tanks

March 1, 2018

Agenda

Importance of Nature in our Lives
Dr. Cindy Klemmer, Parks & Recreation

Integrating Edible Plants into Traditional Landscapes
Greg Mast, Central Texas Food Bank

Native Bees and the Plants They Love (Invertebrate Conservation fact sheet)
Nests for Native Bees
Tunnel Nests for Native Bees (Invertebrate Conservation fact sheet)
Liz Cardinal, Sustainable Food Center

Wildlife Federation's Monarch Conservation Programs: Towards Protecting All Pollinators
M. Rebeca Quiñonez-Piñón, National Wildlife Federation

Chicken-keeping in the Landscape
Michelle Hernandez, Urban Poultry Association of Texas, Inc.

"The networking opportunities were really good!"

"The speakers were all very interactive & engaging – enjoyed the fluidity of the topics too!"

"I liked all of the hands-on segments."

"I learned a lot of good tree care tips"

"So excited to up my compost game! Definitely going to refresh the landscaping crew on tree planting!"

"The info SITES information was definitely helpful to keep in mind for future projects!!"

"I plan to take fire safety into consideration much more than I did before!"

"The technology in the landscape presentation gave lots of good information on new options for landscape industry applications."

"I plan to try to push more innovative uses for alternative water sources."

January 23, 2019 – Rainscapes and Cisterns

Agenda

Introduction to Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Paige Oliverio, Urban Patchwork

Rain Gardens - Design & Installation
Tom Franke, Watershed Protection

Rain Gardens - Plants & Maintenance
Susan Kenzle & Darcy Nuffer, Watershed Protection

Rainwater Harvesting
Billy Kniffen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (retired)

Passive Cistern Design handout
Staryn Wagner, Watershed Protection

High Efficiency Irrigation and Holistic Water Management
Brenton Donnell, Innovative Irrigation Technologies

Drainage Utility Fee & Discount Program
Kellsey Schilly, Watershed Protection

February 7, 2019 – Sustainability

Agenda

Planning for the Future: Sustainable Landscaping
Denise Delaney, Watershed Protection Department

Using Reclaimed Wood for Outdoor Projects
Andrew Danziger, Hatch Workshop and Harvest Lumber Co.

Growing for the Future: The Luci and Ian Family Garden
Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Handout

Designing with the Sustainable Sites® Initiative in Mind
Kimberly Gilbertson, MLA, Public Works

Green Roofs
John Hart Asher, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

February 21, 2019 - Trees, Edible Plants & Attracting Wildlife

Agenda

Benefits of Nature
Dr. Cindy Klemmer, Parks & Recreation Department

How Trees Grow
Paul Johnson, Texas A&M Forest Service

Tree Regulations & Critical Root Zone
Cinthia Pedraza, Development Services Department

Attracting Wildlife
Kelly Simon, Texas Parks & Wildlife

Fruit Tree Pruning
Greg Mast, Central Texas Food Bank

March 7, 2019 - Fire & Water

Agenda

Gray Water
Robert Stefani, Austin Water

Irrigation Technology
Johnny Anderson, Rachio

Reducing Wildfire Risk in Landscapes: Tools & Resources
Mark Baker & Mark Stinson, Austin Fire Department, Wildfire Division

"I am just happy that everyone else is finally catching up to the importance of rainwater harvesting."

"The speakers were all exceptional! I learned so much!! I'm looking forward to the other three training sessions. If they are half as good as this one was, I will be very pleased."

"Thank you for all of your efforts in organizing the speakers, wonderful lineup this year. Kudos!!"

"Came away feeling very inspired to work harder to keep water on the site, and to recommend others do the same."

"Thank you for bringing experts from different areas"

"Thanks for another fascinating and educational day!"

 

Agenda

November 17, 2020

Videos

Description -

Design – Lessons Learned, Helen Ivor-Smith, Environmental Survey Consulting

Permeable Paver Installation & Maintenance, David Hasness, Keystone Hardscapes

Tree Care & Diagnosis, Daniel Priest, Development Services Department

Description -

Principles of Landscape Design, Merredith Jiles, Parks& Recreation Department

Presentations

Design – Lessons Learned, Helen Ivor-Smith, Environmental Survey Consulting

Permeable Paver Installation & Maintenance, David Hasness, Keystone Hardscapes

Tree Care and Diagnosis, Daniel Priest, Development Services Department

8 Principles of Landscape Design, Merrideth Jiles, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department

 

November 18, 2020

Video

Description -

Planting Demonstration, TaraRose Macuch, Wild Heart Dirt

Designer’s Toolbox, Merrideth Jiles, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department

Austin Water Rebates, Chris Charles, Austin Water

Presentations

Plant Selection Tips, Crystal Murray, Far South Grower’s

Designer’s Toolbox, Merrideth Jiles, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department

Austin Water Rebates, Chris Charles, Austin Water

 

People who have never taken the training will get priority.  If you have attended the series in the past and wish to take the entire series again please select that option on the registration form.  On the registration deadline, Watershed Protection Department staff will review registration forms and if additional spaces are available they will be filled in the order registration forms were received.

You will be notified if registration for the full series is not available and given the option to register for individual classes instead.
 

Landscape contractors and developers, and property managers based in Austin; as well as City of Austin employees involved with landscape design, installation or management responsibilities are eligible to take the Grow Green Landscape Professional Training series.

To determine if a business is Austin-based we ask if you have a physical Austin address or have the majority of your customers in Austin when you complete the registration form.

Yes.

The City’s Green Garden program has been merged with the City’s Grow Green program to avoid confusion due to similar names and to reach more people with a consolidated website.

This series is now called Grow Green Landscape Professionals Training. The program continues to offer the same high-level of training and professionals who complete the training series will be recognized on the webpage for one year. After completing the entire series, professionals must attend one Grow Green training day per year to maintain their presence on the webpage.

Why has the word certification been taken out of the name?

After evaluating the program, it was determined the classes do not justify the term “Certified.” The City’s Grow Green program does not have the authority to provide landscaping certifications. All of the benefits will remain the same – only the name has changed.

Participants will continue to receive educational classes on a variety of timely topics, recognition on the Grow Green webpage, CEUs, and the right to link to the Grow Green webpage from their businesses websites.

The Landscape Professional Training Series has been on pause since 2020 due to Covid restrictions. The current listing reflects individuals that have been qualified since 2020. The list will remain posted until we either have another training or discontinue the program. If we do, maintain it, the requirement to stay listed will be that you will be required one day of the training each year to stay posted.