FAQ: Groundwater Guardian
Green Site Program
Common Questions about Becoming a
Groundwater Guardian (GG) Green Site
Who can apply for GG Green Site status?
Anyone who manages or maintains a green space can apply for GG Green Site designation. Highly managed green spaces can include, but are not limited to: golf courses, sporting fields (baseball, soccer, etc), school campuses, residential complexes, city parks, private parks, recreational sites, and office parks.
The program is open to all sites implementing groundwater-friendly practices on a green space. No team is required for participation in the GG Green Site program and no affiliation with a Groundwater Guardian team is necessary.
How do I become designated as a GG Green Site?
Designation is based on the score of your GG Green Site application, and requires earning a minimum of 70% of total applicable points. Points are based on your site’s current practices related to pesticide and fertilizer use, water use, managing sources of pollution, protecting water quality, and environmental stewardship.
What is the GG Green Site application?
The GG Green Site application is a tool that evaluates each site’s current practices related to groundwater. The application calculates and documents the environmental and water quality benefit of groundwater-friendly practices on highly-managed green spaces, such as pounds of fertilizer saved annually by using lower input plants, gallons of water saved annually by using low water/maintenance plant materials, and amounts of toxic substances disposed of properly. The application also documents GG Green Site’s education efforts, both internally for site staff and externally for site visitors.
The application itself serves dual purposes – first, as a way to objectively and uniformly evaluate each site’s practices, and second, as an educational tool for site managers and staff to learn about the positive impact of the work they do.
What does it cost?
Nothing! As part of The Groundwater Foundation’s efforts to promote the program, the application fee is currently waived for all sites! The only thing it will cost you now is your time – it takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete the application.
When are applications due?
Managers applying for GG Green Site status may complete and submit their application at any time; however, site managers must submit their applications by December 31 to be designated in that program year. All application received after this date will be designated in the following program year. Sites designated prior to The Groundwater Foundation’s National Conference, held each year in November, will be recognized in conjunction with the National Groundwater Guardian Designation Celebration.
How do I maintain my designation?
Maintaining your site’s designation is simple. Site managers review their most recent GG Green Site program application for accuracy and make any changes or updates as needed by December 31 of each program year. That’s all it takes to remain a GG Green Site!
What if I suspect someone has lied on their application?
The Groundwater Foundation trusts that each applicant completes their application honestly. Site managers sign the GG Green Site application, stating that the information submitted in the application is current and accurate to the best of their knowledge. If any questions arise, The Groundwater Foundation and the Groundwater Guardian Green Site Program and Technical Advisory Committees reserve the right to contact site managers to review the content of their application for accuracy.
How long does it take for my application to be processed?
GG Green Site applications are processed as they are received. Please expect to wait 1-2 weeks before hearing how you scored. If designated, you will be honored at the next National Groundwater Guardian Green Site Designation Ceremony, held each November in conjunction with the Groundwater Foundation National Conference.
What if my application does not score high enough for my site to be designated?
Don't get discouraged. One of the benefits of filling out the application is seeing immediately what improvements could be made to raise your score. The Groundwater Foundation will work with you and provide ideas on how to improve your score to become designated. You are highly encouraged to apply again after implementing new strategies to help protect groundwater and increase your overall score.
Will the information from my Green Site application be shared?
The Groundwater Foundation values and respects your privacy. All information submitted to The Groundwater Foundation in GG Green Site applications is confidential, and will not be shared without the permission of the GG Green Site manager.
How does the GG Green Site program fit with the GG program?
There are two basic ways the programs fit together:
- GG Green Site managers can start new or serve on existing GG teams.
- GG teams can include recruiting and/or working with GG Green Sites as one of their Result Oriented Activities (for Community teams) or Result Oriented Services (for Affiliate teams).
