Werribee Open Range Zoo’s horticultural team has further strengthened its commitment to protecting the environment by achieving a highly regarded certification.

Eight team members earned ECLIPS membership (Environmentally Certified Landscape Industry Professionals) after completing training in sustainable horticultural and landscape practices.

ECLIPS was established by the non-profit organisation Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) with funding from the Victorian Government’s Sustainability Fund.

“As landscape professionals, we continually strive to be environmentally friendly, so ECLIPS membership recognises our efforts,” Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Curator of Horticulture, Peter Sullivan said.

To meet ECLIPS standards, landscape professionals must complete training in sustainable design, construction and maintenance practices, and be subject to random independent audits of landscapes under construction and completed landscape projects.

“The certification is very important to us because it shows we are serious about caring for the environment,” Mr Sullivan said.

“There are many opportunities for everyone to incorporate sustainable practices into everyday living – and that includes gardens and landscapes.”

SGA developed ECLIPs with the assistance of the Landscape Industries Association of Victoria (LIAV), the University of Melbourne, Zoos Victoria, the Royal Botanical Gardens, several councils, and a trial group of professionals.