March 5, 2003

County Offers Water Quality Training for Lawn Care Professionals, Homeowners

Charlotte, NC – When it rains, where does the water go?   It drains into creeks, streams and lakes, carrying with it pollutants such as excess fertilizer, pesticides, or yard waste. As Mecklenburg County homeowners and landscape professionals get ready for the summer yard care season, Mecklenburg County is hosting an important workshop to focus on these types of water pollution problems.

The workshop is called "Protecting and Preserving Water Quality in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Streams and Lakes."  It will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the CPCC Levine Campus (the former South Campus) located at 2800 Campus Ridge Road in Matthews. 

To register, call 704-336-5500 or e-mail Kim Garrett at garreks@co.mecklenburg.nc.us.  The registration deadline is Monday, March 10.

The workshop will contain important information anyone who owns, works or is involved in the yard care or landscaping business, such as golf course, landscaping and lawn services and pesticide/fertilizer application.  It can also be very useful to homeowners with a green thumb, who pride themselves on their green lawns.

The workshop is hosted by Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program, North Carolina Cooperative Extension and Charlotte Storm Water Services.  It will focus on current Mecklenburg County water quality conditions and monitoring, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, best management practices for protecting water quality and proper storage and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers.  Participants who are currently certified pesticide applicators will also receive two (2) recertification credits in the following subclasses A, H, L, N, D, and X.