Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)

Denver-based John Gibson, CLT, will take the reins of the Professional Landcare Network in January.

Dan Foley, CLP, current president of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), president-elect, John Gibson, CLT, and past-president Kurt Kluznik, CCLP, sat down at PLANET?EUR??,,????'?????<

This time last year, two organizations (PLCAA and ALCA) anxiously hoped that their merger would be a success. Now, a year later and sitting at PLANET?EUR??,,????'?????<

Although John Gibson doesn?EUR??,,????'?????<

Kurt Kluznik has been the PLANET liaison on the possible American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) merger and he spoke about the current status of the two organizations related to the merger. A letter of intent to pursue exploration of the merger has been signed by both organizations and they plan to spend 2006 doing the due diligence required to see if a merger best serves both PLANET and ANLA. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Foley, Gibson, and Kluznik all agree that PLANET is at an exciting crossroads. With new members, greater networking opportunities and broader green industry representation, the organization is on track to serve as the respected leader and voice of America?EUR??,,????'?????<

Associated Builders & Contractors

 

ABC?EUR??,,????'?????<

ABC has made a strong national commitment to educating the workforce of the future through its involvement in accreditation programs for two- and four-year construction degree-granting institutions and its involvement with other associations in national programs working with high school and college students. These efforts support ABC?EUR??,,????'?????<

ABC?EUR??,,????'?????<

Among ABC?EUR??,,????'?????<

In June 2005, President Bush addressed ABC?EUR??,,????'?????<

ABC, through its efforts both in Washington, D.C., and its chapters throughout the country, will spend 2006 continuing its work on a variety of fronts advancing the development of a safe workplace and high-performance workforce through quality education and training.

Professional Grounds Management Society

By Eric Grammer, PGMS

The Professional Grounds Management Society treated grounds professionals to many opportunities for career advancement through a variety of educational venues. In addition to dozens of educational and networking events offered at the regional level through the Society?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Society also recently recognized the best in grounds management with the announcement of the 2005 Green Star Award winners. The Green Star Awards program complements other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction. This program will salute the grounds superintendent responsible for maintaining a well-manicured landscape year round. Also this year, Ellen Newell, CGM, assistant director of grounds services at Arizona State University, was elected and installed as the new volunteer president of PGMS during the society’s annual business meeting on Nov. 4 held in conjunction with the Green Industry Exposition in Orlando, Fla.

The 84th grounds management professional to hold the office, Newell succeeds Chris Fay of University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as the chief elected officer of the 94-year-old green industry organization.

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute had a productive 2005. Early in 2005 OPEI established the OPEI Research and Education Foundation. This foundation will encourage educational and research activities and provide information and guidance to the general public about the safe and proper use of outdoor power equipment and its related economic and environmental impact. OPEI also launched its new website, www.opei.org in June. A comprehensive industry resource, the website features OPEI safety programs, an industry library, links to our members, including a ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The National Association of Cities

Landscaping is a key part of rebuilding America?EUR??,,????'?????<

Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma dealt a devastating blow to many American municipalities and communities. Our most recent hurricanes toppled countless trees and destroyed countless millions of dollars of landscaping and green space of communities along the Gulf Coast. Entire neighborhoods have been submerged by floodwaters for extended periods of time, which will undoubtedly continue to cause a tremendous negative impact on these communities?EUR??,,????'?????<

The landscaping in these communities was, in many cases, a deciding factor for citizens to purchase homes in particular neighborhoods. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

As a former councilman and the current director of the National Association of Cities, Kerry Lauricella realizes that all America?EUR??,,????'?????<

Taxes generated from local businesses typically generate one of the large percents of cities, towns or villages total revenue. Operating a municipality is very similar to running a business or household, all of which must continue to increase their recurring revenues in order to keep up with increasing expenses.

When selling a home, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The National Association of Cities is currently assisting over 10,000 cities, towns and villages. Information regarding these cities towns and villages can be located online at www.buildingamerica.org

American Horticultural Society

Some of the ?EUR??,,????'?????<TM Yellow Flame (below).

The AHS was founded in 1922 and is based at George Washington?EUR??,,????'?????<

On Sept. 20, Landscape Architects, Landscape Contractors, garden designers and others viewed the latest plants displayed in the unique residential setting of the AHS headquarters at River Farm. The companies showcasing plant materials were Centerton Nursery, Cherry Lake Tree Farm, Goldsmith Seeds, Proven Winners, Saunders Brothers Nursery and Campania Int?EUR??,,????'?????<

Several of the ?EUR??,,????'?????<???????(R)???? Cabernet Phlox and Superbells^{???????(R)????} Tequila Sunrise Calibrachoa from Proven Winners; Zinnia Zowie!^TM Yellow Flame and Xtreme^TM Impatiens from Goldsmith Seeds; and ?EUR??,,????'?????<