Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery 2003 Highlights

A CLT candidate tests his driving ability atop a riding mower in Pennsylvania's inaugural CLT test in August 2003.

In August 2003, the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association (PLNA) introduced the Associated Landscape Contractors of America?EUR??,,????'???s (ALCA) Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) exam for the first time at the Penn State-Berks Campus in Reading, Pa.

Twenty-eight candidates tested their knowledge and skills in one of three CLT modules: installation, irrigation and maintenance; three candidates passed and received CLT designations.

PLNA praises the efforts of more than 100 volunteers and staff for the successful launch of the CLT program. Testing dates for 2004 are August 20-21. Visit www.plna.com.

ELD/ELM Awards

In February 2003, more than a dozen professional landscaping firms earned an Excellence in Landscape Design (ELD) awards for demonstrating excellence in workmanship and design, some in relation to a number of real challenges posed by their client?EUR??,,????'???s unique needs. The winners were among more than 32 entries into this ELD awards program produced by the PLNA.

The ELD awards program recognizes and honors the professions responsible for the design and installation of professional quality residential and commercial landscape projects. The program also provides an educational arena for landscapers to view and learn from winning projects

Coming up in 2004, PLNA will also present Excellence in Landscape Maintenance (ELM) awards, which recognize and honor companies responsible for the maintenance of professional quality residential and commercial landscape projects.

The ELD/ELM awards ceremony takes place annually in conjunction with the Pa. Landscape and Nursery Conference at Penn State, produced by PLNA. Only PLNA member firms are eligible for the awards; previous winners and ELD/ELM guidelines are available on PLNA?EUR??,,????'???s website at www.plna.com.

Plantique, Inc., of Allentown won the 2003 Excellence in Landscape Design Gold Medal in the residential $30,000-$60,000 category for the Miholics residence.

Education on the Road

In 2003, PLNA brought educational seminars to landscape contractors across the state, such as Gary Kinman?EUR??,,????'???s renowned ?EUR??,,????'??EXTREME Design Build?EUR??,,????'?? workshop in the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas; ?EUR??,,????'??CLT Hands-On Review in Reading; ?EUR??,,????'??Plant Training for PCH and CLT Candidates?EUR??,,????'?? in York, Douglassville and Greensburg; and ?EUR??,,????'??Sales and Use Tax?EUR??,,????'?? (on landscape services) in Harrisburg.

Water Management a Top Priority

The Water Resources Planning Act (Act 220), passed into law December 2002, began being implemented via preregistration materials sent out in September 2003. Water management planning has long-been a top priority of PLNA. The passage of Act 220 was a fulfillment of years of work by PLNA members and others concerned with water resources conservation in Pennsylvania.

Act 220 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a state water plan over the next five years. The plan has not been updated in more than 25 years.

?EUR??,,????'??This is about finding out which areas have critical water needs so we can make sure we have the best system in place for resource management and conservation,?EUR??,,????'?? said Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff.

Act 220 requires any operation that uses more than 10,000 gallons of water per day, averaged over any 30-day period, to register its water usage with the state DEP by mid-March 2004. Those that use less are encouraged to register voluntarily to provide a more accurate picture of the state?EUR??,,????'???s water usage.

Act 220 also created six regional committees to compile and review water-use data, take public comment, identify where existing and potential water-use conflicts and water quality issues may occur, and create recommendations for the state water plan.

Powerful Punch for Early-Risers

In 2003, PLNA launched ?EUR??,,????'??Power Breakfasts?EUR??,,????'?? at its yearly trade shows, PANTS & Power Expo, and the Pa. Landscape & Nursery Conference. Featured table topics, including: ?EUR??,,????'??Working with an H2B Agent,?EUR??,,????'?? ?EUR??,,????'??Cash Flow and Profitability,?EUR??,,????'?? and ?EUR??,,????'??Trends in Hardscaping.?EUR??,,????'??