California Landscape Contractors Association Year in Review

This has been a busy year for the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) the more than 3,100 members. Board of Directors includes: President Heath Bedal, President-Elect Willaim Schnetz, Immediate Past President Pete Dufau, Secretary/Treasurer Eric Watanabe, Director of Chapter Services Andrew Simpson, Director of Communication Chuck Carr, Director of Education Jon Alsdorf, Director of Events Mike Hertzer, Director of Legislation Robert Wade, Director of Membership Javier Lesaca, Director of Resource Mgmt. Frank Niccoli, Associate Member Director Barry Elder, Co-Directors Chapter Presidents Council Ted Sandrowski and Kevin Fairchild.

In February CLCA introduced its Water Management Certification Program at it's 30th Annual Landscape Industry Show in Los Angeles. This program helped meet the need to reduce landscape water usage using advanced irrigation technology and a water budget. With California in its third year of continuous drought and dangerously low reserves, the program has been well received.

California's drought has been devastating, taking a huge economic toll. Most cities throughout the state implemented water restrictions reducing landscape water usage. Also two new water laws were recently passed, one allowing graywater use and one which sets a water budget for affected landscapes based on weather and square footage.

In response to our water crisis, CLCA has been reaching out to work with cities and water districts as a resource to help. Our members have proactively participated in many water conservation events and tradeshows throughout the state, helping to teach others how to work smart controllers, fix landscape leaks and answer questions about water conservation.

According to California's Department of Water Resources, we are heading into a fourth year of drought for 2010. Under the direction of CLCA's current board and newly elected officers - Schnetz, President-Elect Bob Wade, Director of Education Steve Jacobs, Director of Legislation Shari Collins and Director of Resource Mgmt. Frank Niccoli, CLCA will continue to provide resources for the state's climate issues.