With more than half of the U.S. in drought, irrigation professionals face growing pressure to balance strict municipal water restrictions with client expectations for healthy landscapes — experts share how they manage both.

From the EPA's new Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 to graywater systems and industrial applications, water reuse is rapidly moving from niche practice to mainstream infrastructure across residential and commercial landscapes.

Lighting experts Dawn Hollingsworth, Wes Jackson and Thomas Paterson explain how the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting can reduce light pollution while still delivering the aesthetically compelling results clients want.

Brilliance LED trainer Kevin Smith walks through how to match low-voltage fixtures to every application — from path lights and accent lighting to tree fixtures and advanced techniques — for professional results that reduce callbacks.

IA policy director Andrew Morris explains how drought restrictions have grown more complex in 2026 — and urges contractors to learn the rules, engage with utilities and share field experiences with the IA.

Marketing consultant Kyle McCarthy argues that the most successful irrigation and lighting contractors in 2026 aren't generating the most leads — they're generating better ones and converting them into higher-value work.