Donate

First Grads from Green Infrastructure Program for Professionals

April 8th, 2020

The Watershed Institute graduated 15 people from its inaugural class in green infrastructure management for landscape professionals, which was done in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program.

The 15 professionals have earned certificates in the New Jersey Watershed Institute Green Infrastructure (WIGI) program. The training is a new, voluntary credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in New Jersey and in the surrounding areas. The program involved hands-on learning about various types of green infrastructure, including rain gardens and porous pavement, and featured such systems at the organization’s LEED-Platinum Watershed Center.

The training is especially important given the recent adoption of new policies in New Jersey that require developers to use green infrastructure as the primary means of managing stormwater.

The Watershed-certified professionals have in-depth knowledge of sustainable landscape best practices and a focus on maintenance of these stormwater practices. The Watershed Institute encourages consumers to ask for these WIGI-certified individuals when selecting a landscaping company.

The Watershed certification shows an advanced level of professionalism and knowledge of sustainable landscaping practices to create healthier watersheds. Certification is voluntary and candidates who take the two-day course then must pass a comprehensive exam that assesses an individual’s command of sustainable practices in the design, installation, and maintenance of landscapes.

The Watershed plans to offer another class in February 2021.

In 2017, the Watershed wanted to begin green infrastructure certification for professionals. The Watershed decided to partner with CBLP, which has already created a consortium that does this type of training in other states.

For more information about becoming Watershed-certified or hiring a certified professional for sustainable landscaping services, learn more here: or visit www.cblpro.org.

Copyright © 2024 The Watershed Institute. All rights reserved.

Site by Scout Digital