ecoPRO Vision Trained, certified professionals will establish sustainable landscaping as the norm for homes, institutions, and public spaces, thus contributing to the restoration and protection of watersheds, groundwater, and public health throughout Washington. The program is jointly administered by WA State Nursery & Landscape Association & WA Association of Landscape Professionals.

What is ecoPRO? ecoPRO is the brainchild of a broad base of stakeholders which, since 2011, have developed the following: Program standards and sustainable best management practices Training curricula and a certification exam. A business plan, including program administration and governance, marketing, performance measurement and evaluation, and sustainable funding. Funding & Support WA Department of Ecology (through federal funding from the National Estuary Program) WA Department of Agriculture Seattle Public Utilities WSNLA Scholarship & Research Charitable Fund In‐kind contributions from the landscape industry. W ecoPRO is currently expecting additional funding from Washington state Department of Ecology for initial implementation – including a program website and marketing materials, a system for tracking best practices and environmental impacts, and one year of a.25 FTE for program coordination and Administration.

What is ecoPRO? ecoPRO is a training & certification program for landscape professionals that aims to satisfy the growing professional and consumer interest in sustainable landscape services. It is intended to achieve four primary outcomes: 1.Provide credentials to individuals with expertise in sustainable landscaping practices, thereby giving them an advantage in the marketplace 2.Provide consumers with a verifiable means of judging qualifications 3.Impart practical knowledge to landscape professionals of sustainable landscaping practices across Washington State. 4.Achieve widespread adoption by professionals of sustainable landscaping practices across Washington State.

ecoPRO Eligibility ecoPRO is an advanced certification. To be eligible, an individual must demonstrate professional status by: Being certified through a professional horticulture organization such as APLD, ISA, IA, WALP or WSNLA. Being a landscape architect or graduate of an accredited landscape architecture program. Have an associate degree or higher in horticulture or a related field, and 3-years of professional horticulture experience. Individuals not meeting eligibility can still attend the ecoPRO training, but cannot sit for the ecoPRO examinations until eligibility is obtained.

Who should attend the ecoPRO training? ecoPRO training will benefit public and private sector landscape professionals who design, build or manage: Municipal landscapes Schools, parks & recreational facilities Commercial landscapes Residential landscapes, yards & gardens Construction of public & private landscape

The ecoPRO certification program has identified eight domains that include 200+ sustainable landscape management best practices. Protecting and conserving soils Conserving water Protecting water and air quality Protecting and creating wildlife habitat Conserving energy Sustaining healthy plants Using sustainable methods and materials Protecting human health ecoPRO Training & Exam As an ecoPRO certified individual, you will demonstrate knowledge of, and voluntarily practice, sustainable best landscape practices in the 8 identified ecoPRO domains.

ecoPRO Training & Exam What to expect Hands on learning Interactive activities Networking with like-minded professionals Direct from the source “lessons learned” and solutions for sustainable in landscape management.

Pass ecoPRO examinations Agree to abide by ecoPRO Code of Ethics Commit to 24 CEUs – earned every 3 years $150 renewal fee – due every 3 years Managing the ecoPRO Credentials

WHY ecoPRO? Respond to customer demand, AND… Increase your professional credibility among customers and clients. Increase marketing advantages for your firm and create opportunities for career growth. Earn a sense of achievement through confirmation of your skills and commitment to ongoing education. Enhance your professionalism and stand for excellence in sustainable landscape management. Receive professional value, respect and recognition. Have a positive impact on the environment and on your local Washington State community.

WHY ecoPRO? The ecoPRO Certified Toolkit ecoPRO certification and wallet card Messaging and talking points for media outreach Logo files and guidelines for use Sustainable landscaping quick tips and facts for marketing and educating clients Promotion on ecoPROcertified.org website Marketing support on WSNLA & WALPs organizational websites. Marketing support from ecoPRO partners

WHY ecoPRO? Additional Marketing Support – in development Marketing support on WSNLA & WALPs organizational websites. Marketing support from ecoPRO partners Happening Now! -A network of over 150 ecoPRO stakeholders spreading the word on the program -Promotion from public utilities - linking to ecoPRO webpage and encouraging use of ecoPRO certified professionals. Discussed Ideas: -Promote local ecoPRO certified individuals on printed materials and website -Tour of local ecoPRO landscapes -Rebate programs for hiring ecoPROs

1.Build demand for the certification & increase # certified Offer 2-3 trainings a year. 2.Build demand for sustainable landscape services through marketing ecoPRO program & certified individuals Residents, commercial entities, and public agencies 3.Identify “education partners” Help grow program and grow geographically 4.Establish a protocol to evaluate best management practices A mobile App used by certified individuals Translated into environmental and health impacts. What’s Next? Looking Forward 2020 Goals:  Achieve market recognition statewide  Certify 700 professionals Serve:  30,000 residential customers  20,000 commercial and institutional customers  30% of public entities  Be financially self‐ sustaining

Questions? Find our more at This program is jointly administered by: