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PACE certifies sustainable green industry professionals
Three years ago, the first Partners for A Clean Environment expanded PACE certification for landscaping. This is a first program of its' kind within the United States. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Boulder County Public Health and members of the Green Industry held a series of meetings to create the various topic areas and Best Management Practices for each problem that may be encountered in the landscape. Cooperative Extension assists Public Health with a yearly forum, focused on at least one aspect of sustainable practices. The City of Boulder also conducts a yearly conference that leads to certification.
Why is PACE important to landscapers? Simply put, it allows a company to be identified that follows important concepts such as water conservation, appropriate plant selection, appropriate hardscaping practices, environmental fate of pesticides and their alternatives. In March 2005, 133 individuals attended the two-day conference held at the Radisson in Longmont. Participants were able to choose from a palette of classes in order to expand their knowledge based on their needs. At the completion of the two-day class, companies could elect to become PACE certified by taking an exam, creating a documented case study where the landscape was transformed into a more sustainable space along with continuing education. Currently eleven companies hold PACE certification with initial evaluations indicating that the certification has helped their business. Those companies include:
Costen Aytes, Water Carriers Inc.
Diana Caile, Diana Caile Designs
Theresa Rounds, Mountain Meadow Design
Elizabeth Slokar, Ladybugs
Lawrie Wilson, Garden Nurse Design
Sarah Cieciek, Design Concepts (Public and Commercial clients only)
Ingrid Earnst, Ingrid's Landscape Design
Becky Martinek, Nature's Design
Bill Melvin, Ecoscape Environmental Design
Sue Moore, Moore Fine Design
Adrian Mondello, Redwood Landscape Co.
For more information, visit www.pacepartners.com
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