The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, awarded two entities with 2023 Smart Water Application Technologies Awards.
The 2023 SWAT Outstanding Public Engagement Award was presented to Marin Water for its innovative Watershed Approach to Landscaping Program that stood out for its holistic, water-wise landscaping practices.
Designed to educate and involve the community, this initiative highlights the paramount importance of water conservation in landscaping. The program has offered an array of valuable resources, including a comprehensive guidebook developed in collaboration with Green Gardens Group, Los Angeles, California, a series of educational classes at the College of Marin, Kentfield, California, and a community garden grant program.
The impact of this program is reflected in the interest of the community, with over 350 participants in its class series and a digital handbook that’s been viewed over 3,000 times in the past year.
“Through its engagement with the community, Marin’s Watershed Approach to Landscaping Program has provided residential and commercial customers practical information and resources to advance conservation, while demonstrating Marin Water’s commitment as an ally to consumers in sustainability efforts,” said IA CEO Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE. “Congratulations to Marin Water on this much-deserved SWAT award.”
The city of Aspen, Colorado, was recognized with the 2023 SWAT Outstanding Industry Partnership Award.
The City of Aspen’s Water Efficient Landscaping Standards initiative was recognized for partnering with landscape and irrigation professionals to provide comprehensive training and resources, ensuring the successful implementation of new requirements. They have engaged local landscape contractors and extended their outreach by offering materials in Spanish and accommodating online training amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The City of Aspen has focused on the important role industry professionals play in advancing water conservation,” says Rankin. “Through their efforts to educate and train green industry professionals through this project, they have succeeded in effecting significant water savings through sustainable practices and water-efficient irrigation technologies. Congratulations to the City of Aspen for their accomplishments and as a recipient of this SWAT award.”
Both awards were presented at the WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition held on October 4, 2023.
