HOUSTON– TreeTown USA today announced it has made a donation to the University of California, Davis’ California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) to help develop water-conserving landscapes under its SmartLandscape Initiative. It is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support the horticulture industry in providing resource conservation and sustainable urban landscapes,
The SmartLandscape is designed to:
- Demonstrate how water conservation and efficient landscapes work with the latest irrigation technology
- Connect industry professionals with academic researchers and students
- Conduct science-based research
- Leverage cutting-edge technology (robotics, UAVs, imaging, etc.)
- Provide policymakers with landscape water conservation and water efficiency information.
According to David Fujino, Ph.D., executive director, UC Davis CCUH, there is great potential for reducing water waste while creating beautiful landscapes. As a hub for research, teaching, and outreach, SmartLandscape will help bridge the knowledge gap and make this vision a reality.
“Students will be at the forefront of SmartLandscape,” noted Fujino. “Working alongside horticultural experts and faculty, students will gain valuable hands-on experience that will prepare them to enter the horticulture industry as leaders in resource conservation and sustainable urban landscapes. We are pleased to have TreeTown USA as one of our SmartLandscape partners, educating students on climate-appropriate plants for low-water-use landscapes in California.”
Mark Marriott, senior vice president for TreeTown USA’s Northwest Operations, commented: “TreeTown USA appreciates this opportunity to help sponsor the SmartLandscape Initiative at the University of California, Davis. The donation is in keeping with our overarching mission to provide the very best plants to landscape architects, designers, and contractors. Whenever we have an opportunity to get involved in demonstrating water conservation and efficient landscapes within a public/private partnership, we want to participate. Plus, we get to see how our plants perform in that environment through the prism of academic researchers and students who are an essential part of the horticulture ecosystem.”
CCUH partners for workshops and programs include:
University of California Nursery and Floriculture Alliance (UCNFA) — Formerly known as California Ornamental Research Federation (CORF), UCNFA is the University of California’s educational outreach and support program to the floriculture and production nursery industry.
Foundation Plant Services (FPS) — Every year, FPS and CCUH partner to bring Rose Days, a weekend-long event focusing on one of the most beloved cultivated plants. The 10th Annual Rose Days was held in 2017.
UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology – In partnership with Häagen-Dazs® and the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology to support honey bee populations through educational outreach. CCUH coordinated the design and installation of the Honey Bee Haven demonstration garden and Campus Buzzway walkway.
About the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH)
Located at the University of California, Davis, the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) draws upon the knowledge and expertise of its partners in academia, industry, and public agencies to provide management strategies and practices for conserving water and improving water efficiency for public audiences, the horticulture and landscape design industry, and local and state agencies. Its mission is to present workshops and programs in addition to working on initiatives promoting scientific research and the exchange of science-based principles and practices that protect resources and enhance ecosystems in California’s urban environment.
About TreeTown USA/Village Nurseries/Hines Growers
TreeTown USA, founded in 2001, is a privately-owned business headquartered in Houston, Texas, with 18 growing facilities totaling over 6,000 production acres across Texas, Florida, Oregon, and California. With the addition of a West Coast Division, including Village Nurseries and Hines Growers, the combined company now has a coast-to-coast footprint for its broad mix of high-quality plant material that includes over 5,000 unique plant selections and variations. To learn more about TreeTown USA, visit the company’s website at http://www.treetownusa.com.
