Landscaper Training on Stormwater * Press Release *

RiverSides and Green Gardeners Community Collaborative Inc. are pleased to announce a workshop for green landscapers and those who are interested in greening their services.  The workshop will benefit Toronto’s watersheds and introduce contractors and businesses to ideas about how to compete in a greener and more cost-conscious marketplace.  It will help to build understanding of the benefits of linking environmental issues to client solutions for home and garden.

Join us on February 19, 2009 at Northern District Library, 40 Orchardview Blvd Room 200 from 1 to 4.30pm.

The landscape industry is rapidly evolving as larger ecological concerns become more pressing and the regulatory environment shifts. New certifications are becoming available for organic landscapers, and key indicators and ratings systems like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are setting the bar for meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements.  A key component of all certification/rating systems includes onsite management of water – pollution and run-off prevention, site stewardship and ecological practices that contribute to improved urban water conditions. 

At the workshop landscape contractors will learn how to add value for clients through rain and water saving programs. Case studies and hands on demos will introduce cutting edge developments in on-site management of stormwater, including rain/bog gardens, rain barrels, rainwater harvesting and other solutions.  This is especially relevant in light of the City of Toronto’s 2007 downspout disconnection by-law which requires all Toronto’s residents to disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system. Homeowners in the combined sewer area of Toronto will be responsible for managing stormwater on their properties using rain barrels and/or other landscape solutions.

Participants will have a chance to network with  Each participant will receive an information and resource kit to take home.