An innovative online course leading to the new Certificate in Water Conservation will help industry professionals demonstrate high standards of sustainable, environmentally sensitive and cost-effective use of water in gardens, parks, sports grounds and all areas of amenity horticulture.

The course which is available from today (12 January 2015), can be accessed via www.htalearning.org.uk

For the first time 15 of the leading organisations in the horticulture and water supply industries have combined resources and expertise to help horticultural staffrecognise and implement best practice in landscape water efficiency:

Amenity Horticulture Organisations

• Association of Professional Landscapers (APL)
• British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
• Horticultural Trades Association (HTA)
• Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG)
• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
• Society of Garden Designers (SGD)
• Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA)

Water Supply Industry

• Affinity Water
• Anglian Water
• South East Water
• Southern Water
• Sutton and East Surrey Water
• Thames Water
• Water UK
• Waterwise

Through four, client focused, modules this low-cost*, hour long e-learning course provides landscapers, gardeners, designers and groundskeepers with the knowledge to plan, build, establish and maintain grounds, landscapes and sites in ways that conserve water and manage it sustainably. Horticultural professionals and volunteers will be well equipped to take a leading role in demonstrating and promoting best water management practice an dalso, by example, inspire and inform the public.

By combining horticultural knowledge and skills with realistic scenarios of commercial horticultural practice and the insight of the water supply industry, horticultural staff and volunteers will be able to incorporate profitable water efficient practices within their businesses, and, importantly, commit to industry codes of practice.

"This unique initiative between two diverse sectors, with common goals, shows what can be achieved with a positive attitude. We are very proud to have been involved from inception through to delivery and we will be encouraging every member of the TGA to get their key staff certified in water conservation and also asking members to speak to their customers who would benefit from completing the course." said Tim Mudge, TGA Chief Executive

*Offered is an introductory price of £10 plus VAT per learner (until mid-July 2015). The course comprises of an inspirational video, eLearning module, an assessment and download of a personalised certificate once successfully passed.