Improving Air Quality Valleywide

In their continuing effort to clean up our air, your city, in cooperation with the other desert cities, has adopted an ordinance specific to landscape-related businesses that went into effect September 1, 2008.

The transport of dust from man-made activities has been been an ongoing challenge with all of the cities in the Coachella Valley for the last several years in meeting federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates for airborne fugitive dust (PM10). the health impacts and public nuisance of uncontrolled dust are, and should be, a recognized concern of everyone who works or lives in the desert environment.

the ordinance will encourage landscapers and landscape-related businesses to better understand the health and financial benefits of the overseeding alternative. This proven method eliminates the need for turf scalping, improves the air, saves money and results in a beautiful lawn.

Most local golf course superintendents, developers, farmers and residents have been doing their part to improve and maintain the quality of our air. Other man made sources (such as landscaping and scalping) must also do their part.

The ordinance requires landscapers and landscape-related businesses to complete a free 2-hour course on overseeding alternatives (aka "Smart Scalping"). Proof of completing the course (certificate) is required by your city for the issuance or renewal of a business license.

The certification course is FREE and is offered in English and Spanish.

Starting in 2009 this Course is being held through COD's Center for Training and Development (CTD) at The Institute for Sales and Service Excellence (ISSE). The ISSE is located on the first level of the Westfield Palm Desert Shopping Mall, just below the food court. The best place to park is just west of the theater and enter the mall through the door next to the delivery driveway.

As of June 25, 2010 the CVAG Landscapers Certification Course is temporarily discontinued doe to lack of funding.

CVAG has applied for new grant funds ans is awaiting action. We are working on the implementation of an On-Line course (English and Spanish) for landscapers in lieu of having to physically attend a class. This On-Line course will eliminate the cost of landscape instructors and enable landscapers to take the course at their leisure.

Check back for further updates.

Empezando el 25 de Junio del 2010, el certificado de jardinería de CVAG va ser descontinuado temporalmente debido a la falta de fondos.

CVAG ha aplicado para nuevos fondos y está esperando acción. CVAG está trabajando para implementar una clase por internet (en ingles y español) para los interesados en lugar de atender la clase personalmente. La clase por internet eliminara el costo de instructor y permitirá a los participantes tomar la clase en su tiempo libre.

Regresen para más información.