The City of Surprise is stepping up its game for local landscapers with a new certification program designed to amplify water efficiency amidst growing environmental concerns. The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaping (QWEL) program is a hands-on, 20-hour training that not only meets the EPA WaterSense criteria but does so in a way that's accessible to a wider audience offering sessions in both English and Spanish, targeted support designed to ensure linguistic barriers do not hinder vital education in sustainable practices.
The upcoming class, which specifically caters to Spanish-speaking professionals, will cover a swath of essential topics from sustainable landscaping and soil science to the nitty-gritty of irrigation maintenance and scheduling; and in the effort to make the program as inclusive and affordable as possible, the City is offering the classes for free to local landscapers, the only cost being a $30 fee for the certification exam, the city has shown an understanding that knowledge is key but also brings an awareness that cost should not be a prohibitive factor when it comes to education on sustainability.
According to a City of Surprise announcement, graduates from the QWEL program will be better equipped with the know-how to implement water-efficient techniques effectively, gaining insights into water management and the preservation of other valuable resources; but the benefits don't stop there businesses that have staff complete the certification will receive a free listing on the QWEL and EPA WaterSense websites and the right to use the QWEL logo to promote their environmentally conscious services.
Interested parties should note that the classes are set to take place on consecutive Tuesdays, beginning October 21, and following through October 28 and November 4 from the early hours of 7 a.m. to the bustling afternoon at 3:30 p.m., these sessions will unfold at the Gateway Training Center located at 13659 Cactus Rd, with registration available now on the city's website and for those seeking more information or having queries, they can reach out via email at [email protected] – ensuring that a pathway to participation is clear, open, and supported for those who engage with the community through the nurturing of the land.
