Tucson Becomes National Role Model for Water Harvesting (Press release)
by Carolyn Classen on Sep. 10, 2010, under Education, Life###For Immediate Release###
Contact: Lindsay Ignatowski
520-396-3266; lindsay@watershedmg.org
“Tucson, Arizona, is quickly distinguishing itself as one of the leading cities in promoting water conservation, specifically water harvesting practices. With only twelve inches of rainfall per year, residents are learning to make the most of their scarce water supply. In the forefront of this movement, grassroots groups, non-profit organizations, businesses, and the city government are promoting water harvesting through educational programs, city policies, demonstration sites, technology innovations, and green job training.
Tucson-based Watershed Management Group offers the only course in the nation that provides a comprehensive, hands-on training program to green professionals seeking education in design and implementation of water harvesting systems. Emphasizing integrated and sustainable design, WMG’s Water Harvesting Certification program teaches architects, landscapers, planners, entrepreneurs, educators, and community organizers how to retrofit residential and commercial sites with greywater systems, water harvesting earthworks, appropriate plants, and cisterns.
This intensive course blends both informational lectures and hands-on workshop practice, with over 30 hours of field experience to apply the theories covered in class. Graduates of the course become Certified Water Harvesting practitioners, a formal acknowledgement of their mastery of the essential core concepts of water harvesting, and a testament to their ability to perform this work in a professional capacity. Course graduate Luis Perales, teacher, said, “Working and learning alongside field experts, community advocates, and course participants helped to create a sense of competence in my ability to create, teach, and implement water harvesting projects.”
This year, Watershed Management Group has seen interest in its Water Harvesting Certification course cross the boundaries of the arid southwest and national borders. Recent participants come from such diverse areas as the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Mexico, and even Cananda to take part in this one-of-a-kind training opportunity. In the last two years, WMG has certified 47 Water Harvesting practitioners from seven states and three countries.
WMG is now accepting applications for 2010 Fall Water Harvesting Certification program, a nine-day intensive course to be held in Tucson, AZ, from Nov. 12 to Nov. 21, 2010. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until Oct. 11, with early registration applications due by Sept. 20. Applications, course schedules, and full program details are available on WMG’s website at www.watershedmg.org/certification. For more information, please contact Lindsay Ignatowski at lindsay@waterhsedmg.org or 520-396-3266.
Watershed Management Group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that develops community-based solutions to ensure the long-term prosperity of people and health of the environment. We provide people with the knowledge, skills, and resources for sustainable livelihoods.”
