Ecology Action and local partners are bringing the successful Green Gardener Training and Certification Program from Santa Barbara to the Monterey Bay Area. The Green Gardener program certifies individuals as having successfully completed the green gardener training, which provides practical and effective guidance on appropriate chemical use, solid waste reduction and composting, sustainable design, and other tools needed for “greening” a gardening or landscaping business. Provided in English and Spanish, these trainings have proven to enhance a landscape professional’s marketability, and also helps businesses who employ certified Green Gardeners to attract and retain clients. The program is also open to public agency landscape employees. We will then support the firms who have employees participating in the training by conducting a professional market study and then promoting the firms employing green landscapers in our area.