Free 'natural' yard care workshop offered for landscapers Many homeowners want a low-maintenance, eco-friendly yard. Landscape design, installation and yard maintenance companies are invited to a free workshop on natural yard care to help meet this growing interest in "green" yards. Pierce County, in partnership with the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, will host a free workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to noon in Tacoma. "This workshop will show landscaping companies the important role they play in protecting Puget Sound," said Dan Wrye, Pierce County water quality manager. "Reducing pesticides keeps polluted water from entering our local waterways, and it also helps keep landscape professionals, families, and pets safe." Industry experts and county staff will provide information on natural yard care design, converting a traditional yard into a more "green" yard, reducing pesticide use, installing rain gardens, and free resources landscapers can use to market these services. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by Friday, Nov. 4. To register for the workshop contact Teresa Lewis at 253-798-2480 or tlewis1@co.pierce.wa.us. More information is available at www.piercecountywa.org/naturalyardcare. The workshop is at the Tacoma Mall Plaza located at 2702 South 42nd Street, Room 210, Tacoma, WA 98409. CONTACTS: Teresa Lewis, education and outreach coordinator (253) 798-2480 tlewis1@co.pierce.wa.us Mary Powers, public information officer (253) 798-2464 mpower1@co.pierce.wa.us