Research Funding Program

The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) established our Environmental Research Funding Program in 1999 to support scientific research on water conservation and natural resource management issues as they relate to landscape design, installation, and maintenance, as well as to quantify and better understand the environmental benefits of landscaping.

Funds

The program currently uses two funds to accomplish its purpose:

CLCA Environmental Research Fund (General Fund) and CLCA Sacramento Valley Chapter Environmental Research Fund (Special Fund).

The CLCA Environmental Research Fund is made up of contributions from individuals and the association as a whole. The CLCA Sacramento Valley Chapter Environmental Research was funded by a 2006 contribution from CLCA’s Sacramento Valley Chapter. The Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF), a 501(3) charitable organization, maintains both funds.

Process for Granting Awards

CLCA issues a request for proposals (RFP) for applied research projects. To be placed on the association’s mailing list for these announcements or to update contact information, qualified professional researchers at universities, colleges, and other research organizations should send their e‐mail address to CLCA Executive Director Sandra Giarde, CAE at [email protected].

Research contributions are in the form of gifts or grants‐in‐aid to researchers or organizations conducting research. The program does not pay for university administration overhead. One hundred percent of all contributions must go to the researcher or researching organization.

Research Advisory Committee & Landscape Water Conservation Foundation

CLCA’s Research Advisory Committee advises the Landscape Water Conservation Foundation trustees regarding the awarding of the grants. The Research Advisory committee consists of:

• Chair of the Resource Management Committee
• Director of Resource Management
• A representative from LEAF
• A representative from the Sacramento Valley Chapter, and
• At least two affiliate CLCA members from the academic community.

If two affiliate members from the academic community cannot be found among the membership, other individuals from the academic community are appointed.

The Research Advisory Committee works independently or with the Resource Management Committee to prioritize researchable issues and to plan the annual RFP process.

How to Contribute to Environmental Research

Contributions to the 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 are very welcome. They should be made out to LEAF Research.

CLCA recognizes all environmental research benefactors by listing them in the association’s newsletter, The Cutting Edge.

More Information

For more information, contact CLCA Executive Director Sandra Giarde, CAE at [email protected] or  (916) 830‐2780.