2026 Trout Friendly Landscaper & Business Certification

instructions:

  1. Watch the following videos and review the information covering Trout Friendly Principles.

  2. Take the quiz. You must pass with 80% or better to become certified. If you receive a grade of below 80%, please retake the quiz until you pass.  

  3. Fill out and sign the Business Partnership Agreement via Google Forms. A link to the Google Form will be provided upon passing this quiz. 

  4. Optional: Purchase materials to display at your business.

Approximate time to complete: 60 mins

take the quiz
 

VIDEOS:

 

1. Limit Fertilization

Use slow release or organic fertilizer only if needed, not to exceed 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of yard per year. Do not fertilize within 20 feet of water. Phosphorus levels in our soils are typically sufficient and do not require supplementing.

Limit Fertilization

Additional Tips:

  • Test your soil to determine how much and what proportion of nutrients your landscape actually needs. Teton Conservation District offers a 50% cost-share for soil testing services (up to $200 per landowner) through participating laboratories. Agricultural producers are exempt from the $200 cap. Visit Teton Conservation District’s website to learn about soil testing cost-share program.

  • Leave clippings on the lawn - they may provide enough nitrogen.

  • Use organic fertilizers such as compost, manure, feather meal, bone meal,, etc.

  • Don’t fertilize if not needed.

  • Calibrate equipment and calculate for precision landscaping applications.

 

2. Be Water Wise

Do not water when it's raining. Sprinkle at dawn or dusk every other day. Raise the mower blade to a mow height of 3 to 4 inches so less water and fertilizer are needed.

Be Water Wise

Additional Tips:

  • Establish a no-mow zone, an area where you let the grass grow tall and reduce irrigation in that area.

  • Mulch and/or install drip irrigation for flower beds, shrubs and trees to reduce evaporation and weeds.

  • Ensure adequate organic matter in soil to improve water holding capacity, thus needing less water.

  • Install sensors or smart controllers to automatically turn off your irrigation system when it rains.

  • Invest in an irrigation audit and follow the recommendations.

 

3. Plant Natives and Maintain Streamside Buffers

Maintain a minimum buffer of 5 feet of unmanicured landscaping around waterbodies (20 feet is recommended).

Plant Natives and Maintain Streamside Buffers

Additional Tips:

  • Keep existing native plants, shrubs and trees – especially near the stream!

  • Maintain a 20 foot buffer of native shrubs like willows, alders, or sedges along all waterbodies.

  • Convert your lawn (or other areas) from Kentucky blue grass or non-native species to drought-tolerant native plants that require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance.

  • Reach out to Teton Conservation District for a free native plant consultation, or invest in one with a landscape architect or landscaper specializing in native plants and follow the recommendations.

 

4. Use Herbicides and Pesticides Appropriately

Only apply herbicide for state and county listed noxious weeds, using spot spraying or mechanical removal techniques where appropriate.

Use Herbicides and Pesticides Appropriately

Additional Tips:

  • Know what weeds you are dealing with, when it is best to treat them, and what is the most effective herbicide or pesticide to apply. More information is available on the Teton County Weed and Pest website.

  • Request a noxious and invasive weed audit from Teton County Weed and Pest and follow the recommendations.

  • Use natural herbicides and pesticides when appropriate.

  • Never water after application of herbicides or pesticides.

Teton County Weed and Pest - Invasive Plant Database
Noxious Weed List (State and County Declaration)