JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Clean Water Coalition is proud to announce that the 2020 Trout Friendly Landscaper of the Year Award goes to Valley Landscape Service.
Valley Landscape Service certified 25 properties as Trout Friendly in 2020. At those properties, the lawns and gardens are cared for according to Trout Friendly best management practices, which minimize impact to water quality and the environment by limiting fertilizer use, watering efficiently, using herbicides and pesticides appropriately, and more.
Valley Landscape Service seeks to provide consistent, high-quality, service with integrity while elevating its employees and protecting natural resources. “We are excited to play an active role in contributing to our community through proactively protecting water quality and the environment. The Trout Friendly Lawns Program is a strong move in the right direction and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Dan Tolson, owner of Valley Landscape Service. Dan has a degree in Landscape Horticulture and over 20 years of experience managing turfgrass systems.
The Jackson Hole Clean Water Coalition is a group of 10 local nonprofits and agencies working together to initiate community-wide action to improve and protect water quality. “Embracing Trout Friendly practices is one of the most straightforward and impactful changes we can collectively make as a community to protect water quality, pollinators, native fish, wildlife, pets, children, and more,” said Phoebe Coburn, Communications Specialist for Teton Conservation District, one of the founding partners of the JH Clean Water Coalition. “Many water-quality challenges require complex solutions that take time. Making small changes to our landscaping practices is not one of those—that’s why we’re excited to see Trout Friendly Lawns gain momentum, and we feel energized by the landscaping community’s commitment to protecting water.”
The Trout Friendly Landscaper and Business Certification was launched in 2020 to help lawn care and landscaping professionals create quality lawns and gardens, while also limiting impacts on water from fertilizer and pesticide runoff. In 2020, fourteen other local landscaping and lawncare companies in addition to Valley Landscape Service became certified Trout Friendly.
Landscaping and lawn care professionals interested in becoming a Certified Trout Friendly Landscaper or Business Partner in 2021 are invited to attend the Trout Friendly Lawns – Landscaper & Business Certification Workshop from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20. The online workshop is FREE, though registration is required to attend. Interested individuals are also welcome to attend. Residents and businesses are encouraged get their properties Trout Friendly Certified at jhcleanwater.org/troutfriendly (it’s free and only takes a minute).
