Landscaping Professionals: Working for Cleaner Water and a Cleaner Look

This stormwater, which doesn't soak into the ground as it would in a forest, runs across hard surfaces, collecting pollutants on the ground surface as it goes. Storm drains, gullies, and roadside swales collect the stormwater and dump it directly into streams, rivers, and lakes. The pollutants picked up by stormwater include oils, chemicals, pet waste, soil, trash, and more.

To help correct the issues caused by stormwater, property owners and communities can install "green infrastructure." Green infrastructure is any water management practice that uses plants or a natural process to reduce runoff from the land to improve water quality. Green infrastructure also provides benefits such as wildlife habitat, health benefits, and improved landscape aesthetics.

Green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, pervious pavement, bioswales, and tree plantings, often relies on vegetation to help remove pollutants and slow down water flow. The care of the plants and related maintenance determines how effective the practice will be and how long it will continue to function. Since green infrastructure is relatively new, many landscape contractors are unaware of the maintenance needs of a project since they can't be mowed, mulched, or fertilized in the same way a traditional landscape is. Improper maintenance can greatly impair the efficiency of the structure or practice and in many cases, remove any benefit from installation.

The Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification program was developed to help increase the knowledge of landscape professionals about green infrastructure design, installation, and maintenance. CBLP trains and certifies landscape professionals so that they are comfortable working with green infrastructure and can help communities reduce and improve stormwater runoff. The regional program is available in Pennsylvania and other Chesapeake Bay states. Penn State is a Consortium Partner in the program helping to guide, promote, and teach the program. Candidates for the certification must have a degree, certificate, or certification in a related field, or have professional experience in landscape design, installation, or maintenance. To apply or to learn more about the certification visit Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional website.