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

Application Process for Researchers

1. Get on Mailing List: Send email address to CLCA Executive Director Sandra Giarde at sandra.giarde@clca.org to be placed on association mailing list for RFP announcements
2. Monitor for Request for Proposals (RFP): CLCA issues RFPs periodically for applied research projects
3. Submit Proposal: Respond to RFP with research project proposal
4. Review Process: Research Advisory Committee reviews and evaluates proposals
5. Award Notification: Selected researchers are notified of grant awards
6. Reporting Requirement: Grant recipients must submit final report of accomplishments and findings upon project completion

How to Contribute Funds

Contributions to Environmental Research Funding Program can be sent at any time to:

• CLCA
• 1491 River Park Drive #100
• Sacramento, CA 95815-4501
• Tax-deductible checks of any amount accepted
• Make checks payable to: LEAF Research