Irrigation efficiency, efficient water management, integrating nature's resources for sustainable site development, saving money, & saving water. Water is a "hot" topic and will likely become even more important in the future. Are you ready to meet the challenge successfully and profitably? Become "masters of change, rather than victims of circumstance!"
Tom Barrett: Rain Gardens and Bioswales
Monday, January 10th; 10:00 - 11:00 A.M.
LA CES approved.
Rain Gardens and bioswales are some of our most effective tools in implementing sustainable water practices. In the presentation, Barrett will discuss how rain gardens and bioswales protect, restore, and mimic the natural water cycle. Additionally, Tom will explain how rain gardens and bioswales can help develop a natural solution for water efficiency, and relieve storm water management issues. Rain Gardens and bioswales create natural filters through which our rainwater can flow. We are in essence helping to remove the contaminants, while reducing the speed and volume in which the water runs to the storm drains. By choosing to create a rain garden or other environmentally responsible landscape solution, we can reduce the contaminants that collect in the sewer systems, and make a significant improvement for a cleaner and healthier environment.
"The American Society for Civil Engineers gave the United States' water systems a grade of 'D-,' the lowest of any America infrastructure," said Barrett. "Through increased use of rain gardens and bioswales, we can improve our water systems and create a better environment for plants, animals and people. "In his presentation, Barrett will explain just how essential some of these tools are to efficiently utilizing and managing water sources.
Tom Barrett is the owner of Green Water Infrastructure. He has over thirty years of successful landscape industry experience and is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent.
Mr. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Plant Genetics from the University of Arizona. He also studied architecture at Syracuse University. He holds multiple certifications in irrigation and water conservation. Tom Barrett has been sharing his expertise and his ideas through energetic and dynamic presentations for over twenty years. His presentations empower participants to embrace change by developing tools for transformational thinking.
Learning Objectives
Understanding that stormwater is the largest source of water pollution in the United States
Sustainability starts with the landscape. Developing a functional landscape is the most effective and efficient means of remediating the environment.
Combining "green infrastructure" with existing, conventional "gray infrastructure," as well as combining new technology with old technology creating a sustainable future.
John Ossa, CID, CLIA, CLP: "With Change Comes Opportunity"
Monday, January 10th: 11:30 - 12:30
The economic recession and a change is societies' values have combined to destabilize the Green Industry. Nurseries, contractors, architects and design professionals -- anyone tied to the construction industry have been hard hit. Adding to economic instability is a rapid shift in what customers are asking for. Our communities are asking for efficient use of water and ecological solutions -- mandating accountability with metrics that are evolving as our collective awareness grows.
How do we leverage these changes to grow and evolve our businesses? Where do we need to focus our attention to build towards success as the economy begins to rebound? Attend "With Change Comes Opportunity" and hear examples of how Green Industry professionals are responding to the challenges.
Practical advice about a technical subject. The founder of Irrigation Essentials is John W. Ossa, CID, CLIA, and CLP. John's passion for environmental stewardship and landscape irrigation extend over 25 years. As the Chairman of the Irrigation Association (IA) Water Management Committee, he led the development of the IA's Irrigation Best Management Practices for Turf & Landscape. The BMPs hope to inform a range of activities from policy to the implementation of efficient irrigation practices and have been adopted for use by numerous agencies across the United States.
John was on the "Water Smart Landscape for California" Task Force initiated by California Assembly Bill 2717. This task force made recommendations to Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature about landscape water use efficiency measures. Many of those
recommendations have since been codified in AB1881, legislation establishing landscape water use guidelines for the state of California.
John was a member of the Irrigation Association Board of Directors from 1999 - 2002. He maintains his current Irrigation Association certifications for Irrigation Design and Irrigation Auditor. In addition, he continues to write articles for landscape and irrigation trade journals.
John is married and has two grown sons. When not inhabiting his irrigation geek persona, he is a lowbrow wine drinker and a volunteer Frog Docent. His wife and their boxer Henry, aka "Goofball", are a steady source of joy in his life.
Learning Objectives:
Linchpin ideas that our industry has operated from are changing - an industry that has had low barriers to entry and saw itself as a labor based endeavor is now needing to quantify, and respond to environmental concerns. These concerns have a basis in science and are described in scientific terminology.
Environmentally driven mandates: examples.
Evolving metrics used to quantify: examples.
Need for water efficiency: examples of water allotment mandates, metrics used to quantify.
Tom Barrett: Resource Efficient Landscape Irrigation
Monday, January 10th; 1:30 - 2:30 P.M.
LA CES approved.
The water we use to irrigate our crops is vital and still we as a nation continue to practice inefficient irrigation methods. Current irrigation practices waste an exorbitant amount of money and water using our current process. The EPA states, "Commercial and residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for more than seven billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation." The EPA estimates over three and a half billions gallons of water are wasted every day with inefficient and ineffective irrigation practices. More than fifty percent of irrigation water used in residential and commercial irrigation systems is wasted. In his presentation, Barrett presents the "State of the Art" in irrigation design and installation. Barrett will present a comprehensive and sometimes controversial exploration of alternate water sources as well as the EPA WaterSense Program, SMART irrigation technology and current regulatory trends in the irrigation industry.
Tom Barrett is the owner of Green Water Infrastructure. He has over thirty years of successful landscape industry experience and is an accomplished corporate growth and change agent.Mr. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and Plant Genetics from the University of Arizona. He also studied architecture at Syracuse University. He holds multiple certifications in irrigation and water conservation. Tom Barrett has been sharing his expertise and his ideas through energetic and dynamic presentations for over twenty years. His presentations empower participants to embrace change by developing tools for transformational thinking.
Learning Objective
Efficient use of irrigation water
USGBC LEED point system for landscape irrigation systems.
Alternate water sources for landscape irrigation.
