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Connecting Plants & People
A: Labelling things as “green” is fraught with all kinds of problems. We don’t want to ever be accused of greenwashing or being in the company of organizations that pay lip service to greening the environment and acting in an environmentally responsible way. The long-term sustainability of the industry will require members to increasingly walk the walk and to be part of the solution instead of being dragged in kicking into the future.
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As an association, BCLNA needs to deal with the skeptics within our own membership and help provide services and programs that make it easier for them to adopt, economically, prudent green practices.
Our biggest challenge is to get from the discretionary to the necessary side of the ledger.
Q: The industry has experienced economically challenging times recently. Other than green practices, how can economic challenges be addressed?
A: We have to make plants essential, in the same way people have to have a certain brand of coffee or shoes.
A: The challenge is, for much of the industry, the products and services are not always considered essential. Landscapers are well aware the cost of a large installation can be more than the cost of a new car. Retailers will tell you they’re competing against a new dress or restaurant meal.
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Q: How can the horticulture industry and the BCLNA do that?
It’s not branding an individual product. It’s branding plants as necessary to your well-being and your sense of self. We have to connect our industry with what matters most in people’s lives. We need to broaden our view of how plants fit in to the lives of clients. And then individual members need to figure out how to take advantage of that.
Join the BCLNA at its Industry Christmas Party for all three commodities on DECEMBER 8, 2011 Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre The Landscape Awards of Excellence and Environmental Stewardship Award will be presented at this all-commodity party. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Contact Suvan Breen at 604.575.3516 or sbreen@bclna.com.
We Offer Full Plant Service
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EAST RICHMOND NURSERIES INC. 18431 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, B.C. V6V 1B1 Ph. 604 278-0976 Fax 604 244-2924 e-mail askus@erniplants.com
www.erniplants.com HortWest October 2011