PRESS RELEASE: One-of-a-kind Water Harvesting Training Set to Expand in 2010
November 23, 2009
As southern Arizona’s green economy grows, many people seek training for careers in green businesses that can match their values as well as provide a livelihood. As evidence of this trend, Tucson-based nonprofit Watershed Management Group (WMG) has seen overwhelming interest in its WMG Water Harvesting Certification program, a hands-on training program in water harvesting systems design and construction. To meet this demand, WMG has just announced plans to more than double its course offerings in 2010, including an expansion of the program into metro Phoenix.
The WMG Water Harvesting Certification program is the only one of its kind in the nation, providing some 60 hours of hands-on training in design and installation of water harvesting earthworks, cisterns, greywater systems, and sustainable landscaping. Courses are taught by WMG staff along with professionals in the field. A curriculum advisory board made up of water harvesting designers, consultants and contractors provides guidance for the course’s curriculum.
Entering its third year, the program has attracted a diverse range of participants from professional hydrologists and landscape architects to educators, contractors, and people starting their own water harvesting businesses. Trainees have come to the Tucson trainings from as far afield as Phoenix and southern California.
WMG’s “learn by doing” model, the high quality of its programs, and a growing interest in green job training have all contributed to the program’s popularity. WMG offers a Level 1 course which covers all the fundamentals of water harvesting and a Level 2 course which builds on the Level 1 to teach more advanced system designs. To meet increasing demand for training, WMG will offer four sections of the Level 1 course and one of the Level 2 in 2010. This winter marks the first time WMG will offer the Level 1 course in Phoenix.
WMG is now accepting applications for two sections of the WMG Level 1 Water Harvesting Certification program, which will take place in Tucson over eight weeks from January through March of 2010.
Applications and full details on the program are now available on WMG’s website at www.watershedmg.org. For more information on the program, please contact James MacAdam at james@watershedmg.org or 520-396-3266. Watershed Management Group is a Tucson-based nonprofit organization that provides programs to equip local residents and community groups with the knowledge and skills necessary to sustainably manage their natural resources.
Contact: James MacAdam
520-780-9416 cell
james@watershedmg.org