Trainings on transitioning to more eco-friendly landscaping practices were offered all landscapers in the Scituate Reservoir Watershed area during 2008 through a partnership between the Northern RI Conservation District (NRICD) and Providence Water (PW).

Eco-friendly landscaping ultimately improves the health of residents, improves water quality, and creates sustainable landscapes that support micro- and macroscale life.

Several lawn service entities have completed the series of three training workshops. Frank Crandall, a Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) certified instructor and Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP), led these workshops.

Four landscape providers completed the entire series. They include:

     • Hawk Eye Lawn Services (401-934-1478)
     • Turf Master, Inc.(401-943-8866)
     • Yard Stick, Inc. (401-942-3399)
     • Woodscapes, Inc. (401-864-2121)

Together, the above mentioned businesses, NRICD, and PW desire to see the environmental health of the Scituate Reservoir Watershed improve while improving water quality offered throughout the state of RI.

What You Can Expect From Eco-Friendly Landscaping

Should you ask your professional landscaper to begin to transition to a more eco-friendly approach, you will be joining with a large segment of society that has recognized that land and water stewardship requires a joint community effort.

The transition from using traditional landscaping methods and traditional plants to eco-friendly approaches and native plants may involve a period of disappointment for the homeowner. Building healthy soil takes time, and healthy soil is the essential building block of a healthy landscape.

You should talk through a landscaping plan with the lawn services provider to get a realistic picture of the transitional time frame and exciting results.