The CLCA-SFBA (San Francisco Bay Area California Landscape Contractors Association) Education Committee is comprised of a group of professionals (designers, contractors and suppliers) and students who share an interest in sustainable landscaping. Our Committee Chairperson is CLCA’s Board Member Nate Crosby, of Crosby Yard Services.

 

We meet monthly to discuss, review and arrange various educational events for the year. Our committee then breaks into subcommittees of volunteers that work on the tasks needed to bring these events into our community.

 

Why do our members get involved? Terry Lyngso, from Lyngso Garden Materials shares, “I have been a member of CLCA for a long time and found early on that joining a committee is the best way to get to know people in the chapter and to feel a part of the organization.  I joined the CLCA Education Committee 3 years ago because I was interested in learning more about the sustainable aspects of our industry.  I think this committee is working very hard to stay abreast of the changes in the industry and to bring these changes to the larger group in a way that very quickly puts ‘theory into practice’.”

 

In the last three years, the committee has created a basic workshop on the soil food web, a water conservation workshop and coming this spring on May 15th, a workshop focusing on grey water. Planning is in the works for June CPR/First Aid Training for landscape workers. For more information, watch for Evite reminders and/or contact Nate Crosby at crosbyyardservices@gmail.com.

 

In addition to these workshops, we also host a myriad of Sustainable Landscaping Brown Bag Lunches, where we can meet together during a lunch hour and share ideas based on a given topic or learn about new products or services from industry professionals.

 

What is the key to our success? Community support and local involvement have helped us continue our educational goals.

“The entire organization is interested in sustainability and education.  With solid backing from CLCA, APLD, Foothill and De Anza Colleges, our efforts have been successful as evidenced by the attendance at our seminars/workshops and at our Sustainable Brown Bag Lunches,” says Heidi Johnson, Landscape Designer.

 

We are always looking for new volunteers and committee members. For more information on ways to get involved in the CLCA-SFBA Education Committee, please come to a meeting or contact Deva Luna at EarthCare Landscaping: 408-871-2792, Deva@earthcareland.com.