ECLIPs for Parks and Public Gardens

SGA established an environmental certification for garden centres (SGA Certified Garden Centres) that is now operating in 90 garden centres in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. In 2007, SGA received funding from the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund to establish a similar certification program for landscape professionals and other organisations involved in the management of private and public parks and gardens.

SGA worked closely with the Landscape Industries Association of Victoria (LIAV) and other industry professionals on the development of ECLIPs. Certification is relevant for landscape designers, landscapers and garden maintenance operators. To date over 100 private landscape businesses are ECLIPs certified. All of them can be viewed here.

SGA then worked with Melbourne Zoo, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne City Council and Wellington Shire Council in modifying the ECLIPs certification to be relevant for public parks and gardens. This program was launched in October 2008 and we now have numerous Councils who have been through the program. The full listing of ECLIPS certified parks and gardens can be viewed here.

What are the key principles of ECLIPs?

To design, construct and maintain gardens and other open spaces that:
• Minimise the use of water
• Minimise the use of harmful chemicals
• Enhance the opportunity for biodiversity
• Avoid the disruption of natural systems
• Avoid the use of locally invasive plants

Environmental Certification for Landscape Industry Professionals (ECLIPs) is now available for public gardens.

Click here for an info sheet (pdf)
Click here for Expression of Interest (pdf)
Click here to find a Certified Public Garden