CLCA Environmental Research Funding Program

CLCA Environmental Research Funding Program

Established: 1999

Organization: California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) with administration through Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF)

Geographic Scope: Primary focus on research applicable to California landscape industry; open to university, college, and research organizations

Purpose: Support scientific research on:

Water conservation in landscape design, installation, and maintenance

Natural resource management related to landscaping

Environmental benefits of landscaping

Applied research projects addressing landscape industry issues

Funding Sources:

CLCA Environmental Research Fund (General Fund): Contributions from individuals and CLCA

CLCA Sacramento Valley Chapter Environmental Research Fund (Special Fund): Funded by 2006 contribution from Sacramento Valley Chapter

Key Policy: 100% of contributions go directly to researchers — program does NOT pay for university administration overhead

Eligible Applicants:

University researchers

College researchers

Other research organizations

Qualified professional researchers

Award Process:
1. CLCA issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for applied research projects
2. Research Advisory Committee reviews proposals
3. Awards made in form of gifts or grants-in-aid to researchers/organizations
4. Grant recipients must submit final reports of accomplishments and findings

Research Advisory Committee:

Chair of Resource Management Committee

Director of Resource Management

LEAF representative

Sacramento Valley Chapter representative

At least 2 affiliate CLCA members from academic community

Contact Information:

Sandra Giarde, Executive Director

Email: sandra.giarde@clca.org

Phone: (916) 830-2780

Address: CLCA, 1491 River Park Drive #100, Sacramento, CA 95815-4501

Recognition: All environmental research benefactors are listed in CLCA's newsletter, "The Cutting Edge"

Previous Research Topics (sample of completed projects):

Distribution uniformity of multi-stream rotary nozzles

Grasscycling for reducing green waste and fertilizer use

Sand backfill effects in palm transplanting

Rotary nozzles and cycle & soak irrigation systems

Distribution uniformity comparison of soil moisture and sprinkler irrigation

Irrigation needs evaluation for mixed landscapes