2012 Spring GreeNScene

Spring 2012 The newsletter for members and associates of Landscape Nova Scotia

Highlights Inside this Issue... p 2 - Presidential Corner... OK.....

WE HAVE TO TALK p 3 - 2012 Garden & Patio Show p 3 - Arborist assist Friends of McNabs Island p 4 - LNS and CNLA Awards for Landscape Excellence p 5 - Newest Member Benefits p 6 - The Canadian Rose Story p 7 - Industry Exams and Training p 8 - LNS Bursry for Outstanding Achievement - Jordan Thompson p 8 - Landscape NS New Members p 9 - Pesticide Applicator Recertification Points p 9 - New Branding for Landscape NS p 10 - Automobile Risk Management p 10 - CNLA Ramps Up Online Presence p 10 - Remembering Tim Tregunno

Landscape Nova Scotia Member Wins National Award Highland Landscapes for Lifestyles are still getting congratulations after receiving the prestigious national award, DynaSCAPE Award of Excellence for Landscape Design at the 9th Annual National Awards of Excellence for Landscaping Gala held in Halifax on February 8, 2012.

In 1990 brother and sister team, David Stenhouse and Christine Lavette took over the fourth generation agricultural and horticultural family business. Their father John Stenhouse, was very involved in the Atlantic Provinces Nursery Trades Association, and was president of the association in 1971.

Both David and Christene carry on the family tradition of being very active in Landscape Nova Scotia as volunteers, at times wearing many different hats!

When asked, if winning both the Provincial and National award has impacted the business, “There is no question, winning a

Landscape Awards of Excellence is very good for our business!

It is the perfect testimonial but what we find more rewarding is that it is a shared recognition....our company, our staff, our client, our city and our industry,” Christene said.

“I’ve attended all but the very first National Awards of Excellence Galas and have seen the caliber of projects chosen to compete.

Needless to say, we were thrilled and proud to represent our client and Landscape Nova Scotia at a national level,” was how Christene described her feelings when she found out that they had won at the provincial level and were now competing in the National Awards. “And, on a personal level, as a landscape designer, I was also looking forward to objective feedback from an esteemed group of national designers and landscape architects. Everyone says this but we honestly, never in a million years, expected to win, we were just happy to be there!”

Presidential Corner OK... We Have to Talk

~ by Paul MacPhee, President, LNS

The ACLE is continuing its progress to secure funding for a structure that will help all of us gain more professional and training opportunities in the future.

The committee has enlisted the help of a professional fundraiser to direct and assist in securing these dollars.

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opefully I have your attention and you are thinking “UH OH where is this going?” Well yes, where is Landscape NS going?”

But before I get into where it is going let’s quickly see where we have been.

I have been President of Landscape Nova Scotia now for a little over one year and LNS (as a volunteer organization with one hired staff member) has continued to work extremely hard to promote and advance the membership of the association as a whole through committee work.

As many of you should know, we have been communicating through monthly e-newsletters (FYIs), along with emails notices to keep the membership in touch with all the activities at LNS, which is HEAPS. Landscape NS will soon begin its spring radio campaign throughout NS promoting the professionalism of the members and congratulating the 2012 Award Winners to the general public. Also, the new Green for Life web site is finally up and running. Although we have a lot of work to do on the site, it provides a great resource to the general public. You will find your decals enclosed with the newsletter. So don’t throw it out! This is a national branding geared to promote the industry throughout the country.

We have had two very successful certification tests at the NSAC, Truro, one in the fall of 2011 and another was just completed in April 2012. This group is dedicated to providing our membership in the Atlantic Provinces with a means of professionalizing our business and industry. Please consider advancing your staff and business by getting certified. Take advantage of these opportunities!

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In February 2012, CNLA held their national meetings in Halifax and a very successful Awards of Excellence Gala.

The national awards CNLA were hosted in conjunction with provincial LNS Awards. It was a sold out event! And for the first time a LNS member has won a National Award. We hope to build on this momentum for the 2013 awards so start thinking of your favourite projects to enter.

We are actively perusing to Apprenticeship System for our industry. We are meeting regularly and developing relations with government to get this initiative off the ground. We now need a core group of journey persons and the willingness of the industry as a whole to support this important opportunity.

We are at a cross road and the time is now to get this up and running. The benefits for the employer / employee and industry as a whole should not be overlooked. We have had a few of our own education sessions, which were not well attended, however, collaborating with LNB provided our members with educational events that they seem to be successful.

to continue this active program that we as a volunteer organization provide.

It is great to know that there is a lot of activity at Landscape Nova Scotia and yes we can improve. We need active participation from more members. There are many committees, some more active than others, but we need you to get involved to ensure their success. You may be amazed at how you and your business will benefit out of just mingling with some of your peers, so come on out to our events and we will all feel better about LNS. Take a look at the CNLA member benefits program it continues to change.

You might find something there that will help you save money for you business!

So, “Where is this going? We need to focus. Get involved. It’s fun. Get you and your staff certified, it will help your business.

Get apprenticeship up and running and finally stay positive we all work hard in our businesses so lighten up and help out if you can. This is your association too. Get involved. It is rewarding.

Best Regards,

Paul MacPhee LNS President

The 2011 Garden and Patio show was an almost complete sell out. Our Social Committee had a great social program in 2011 with the second annual Softball Tournament in 2011 and the ever popular, Grant Mosher Memorial Golf Tournament. We hope to continue these popular events. Call the LNS office if you wish to register your team.

The 2011 HortEast in NB was a great success and we are hoping that HortEast, NS in November 2012 promises to be the same and better. We need you to support this event.

Our membership is holding strong at about 153 and growing but we need more participating and engaged members

Kevin McGinnis and Paul MacPhee at the 2012 Garden & Patio Show

Put your camera in your truck and plan to enter the 2012 LNS Landscape Awards Program!

The awards program is free to enter, is a great promotional opportunity for your business, and winners will receive free radio advertisements, a profile on the LNS website, and can be entered to participate in the National Awards of Excellence program. Put your camera in your truck and start thinking about the projects you are going to enter this year – the LNS office is willing to help members fill out the application forms and want to make this program a success in 2012! The CNLA National Awards will be hosted in Niagara Falls, in February 2013 - let’s show Canada the great work our members do - plan to enter today!

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News

2012 Ideal Garden & Patio Show!

For many of our member companies, participation in the Garden & Patio Show represents the beginning to another season. This is an opportunity for business owners and their employees to talk to prospective buyers about their products and services and ultimately build their businesses. Participants celebrate an end to a long winter and embrace a unique opportunity to jumpstart the season with early sales and potential new prospects.

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n March 30 - April 1, LNSHTA hosted another Ideal Garden & Patio show! This event enabled our members to showcase their individual companies to large crowds and potential customers.

This year we had Kool 96.5 FM in our building promoting the show throughout the 3 days and 3 weeks building up to the show. Special thanks to our sponsors Shaw Brick and Kel-Ann Organics for their support on this new initiative. We continued with our demo stage and guest speaker, Niki Jabbour from the Weekend Gardener hosted seminars about vegetable gardening.

A special thank you to the committee for all their hard work. See you next year!

Arborists Assist Friends of McNabs Island Society in Clean-up of Trees

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n Saturday, March 24, 2012 professional arborists from the ISA-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture invaded McNabs Island and provide arboricultural services for special tree and shrub plantings in a focal overlook and heritage garden area.

Special attention was given to the preservation of a heritage European Purpleleaf Beech, several large Horse Chestnuts, a group of English Hawthorns and other exotic trees planted

by English Gardener, Frederick Perrin around the present Teahouse area in the late 1800’s.

The group of 24 arborists was led by Consulting Arborist, Stan Kochanoff of Falmouth, NS, and comprised of professional arborists from a number of firms and individuals from the Halifax and valley area, members from HRM’s Urban Forestry Department, NS Power, NB Power, several members from new Brunswick and an arborist from PEI. The volunteer group provided $7,400 of in-kind services to assist the Friends of McNabs Island Society in their fund-raising activities.

A number of volunteers from the Friends of McNabs Island (www.mcnabsisland.ca) were also on hand to assist the arborists that day.

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News

Congratulations to LNS 2012 Award of Excellence Winners...

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n February 8, 2012 LNS announced the winners of their awards. This year was particularly exciting because one of our own won a National Award for Commercial Design.

Landscape Nova Scotia wants to congratulate Highland Landscapes for Lifestyles for their outstanding work on the Wentworth Park in Sydney, Cape Breton. This project earned Highland Landscaping for Lifestyles one of the most prestigious recognition for landscape excellence.

Installation Residential $0 - $10K Heritage Landscape Services Installation Residential $10 - 25K Down to Earth Gardening & Landscaping Installation Residential $25 - 50K Joe Bidermann Landscaping Design Installation Residential over $50K Down to Earth Gardening & Landscaping

Installation Commercial Over $50K Andrew MacDonald Landscaping & Tree Services Maintenance Residential $0 - $5K Down to Earth Gardening & Landscaping Maintenance Commercial over $10K Down to Earth Gardening & Landscaping Design Commercial Highland Landscapes for Lifestyle

Design Residential Joe Bidermann Landscaping Design Natural Stone Down to Earth Gardening & Landscaping ICP/SRW Highland Landscapes for Lifestyle

To see more photos of the evening and of the projects of all the entries please visit landscapenovascotia.ca

Thanks to all our Sponsors....

Remember, you can’t win if you don’t enter. So Take pictures of your favourite project now. The deadline for the entries for the 2013 awards event will be this fall!!!!

2012 National Awards of Landscape Excellence Winners Announced

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alifax, NS (February 8, 2012) – Winners of the 2012 National Awards of Landscape Excellence were announced during the 9th annual awards gala at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax. The event was a huge success, showcasing landscape expertise from around the country. The room was packed with over 150 industry professionals, local government reps, educators and association staff from around the country, excited to recognize landscape excellence.

Hosted by Liz Klose (CNLA Landscape Priorities Manager) and Niki Jabbour (writer and media personality, author of The Year Round Vegetable Gardner) with special performance by local band Studebaker Pie, there was never a dull moment. This sold out event offered a great opportunity for landscapers to display their work and interact with fellow industry associates. A lot of time and thought went into the decision making process as this year’s entrants all displayed a high degree of skill and effort. A big thanks to all entrants, as well as the award sponsors: RBC, Chrysler, DynaSCAPE, Caterpillar, and John Deere.

About the Awards The National Awards of Landscape Excellence is an annual gala evening dedicated to showcasing the highest level of professionalism in Canada’s landscape sector. Each province nominates members that are then entered into the national awards. There are five judged categories: commercial landscape construction/installation, residential landscape construction/ installation, commercial landscape maintenance, residential landscape maintenance, and landscape design.

Winners from the provincials awards will be automatically entered into the nationals awards program. So think about entering your favourite project.

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News

Newest Members Benefits Programs!!!

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ith the new season upon us, the CNLA would like to share some information with you on some of the new and updated membership benefits programs that Active and Associate members have access to as LNS and CNLA members!

New Quick and Easy Equipment Leasing with RBC | Royal Bank Hassle free equipment leasing option now available to members through RBC | Royal Bank Program Background: Specialized equipment lease program created to support CNLA members in Canada for the acquisition of industry related equipment.

Program Features: • Low fixed interest rate on lease payment at 6.99% under $10,000 and 5.99% over $10,000.

• 100% financing can include training, fabrication and shipping • No maximum lease size. Minimum transaction size is $1,000 O.A.C. • Choice of 12 to 60 month terms, fully-amortizing in equal, monthly payments.

the exact same as the last card you had, you just have to print it off yourself. We suggest that once you print it off that you laminate so that you only have to print it once. We have also found that for those with smartphones that the cashier can scan the PDF on your phone and that would suffice. This discount card expires March 1, 2013.

Global Payments (Visa, MasterCard, and Interac processing) Global Payments introduces a Payment Solutions Package exclusively for CNLA members.

Redefining Customer Service: • Significant cost savings • Transparent and predictable pricing • One on one consultation to understand your business needs.

• 4 hour on-site replacement service for terminals and PIN pads • Dedicated customer service representative Call CNLA for more information... 1 (888) 446-3499 or visit http://www.canadanursery. com

• Full payment to authorized vendors upon confirmation of delivery.

Retail Council of Canada (education, information, Simply Accounting discount, Chase Paymentech Solutions payment processing) Canadian Landscape and Nursery Association is now a proud member of Retail Council of Canada and CNLA members can now access select Retail Council of Canada (RCC) Group Discount Programs with a username and password.

For your username and password or to learn more about the benefits available through CNLA’s RCC Membership, please contact the CNLA Membership Team today at 1-888446-3499 or email info@canadanursery.com.

• Preferred Merchant Processing Rates with Chase Paymentech • Accounting Software with Sage • Traffic Counting Solutions with HeadCount • Professional Development and networking at RCC Events Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consulation Want to lower your telecom costs? Schooley Mitchell customers save an average of 30% yearly on their local services, cellular, long distance, internet and conferencing.

Their savings concept is simple: • They start with a no cost, no obligation review of your current phone services • They do not represent any telecom supplier or accept commissions from them • You take NO RISK – they will either save you money or give you a no cost validation that you are receiving the best value for your existing services If you approve their suggested changes, Schooley Mitchell will manage the implementation and resolve any phone company errors. They document and track your savings for three years, keeping you up-to-date on the best offers out there. You will share 50% of your savings with Schooley Mitchell for 24 months, after which you receive all savings. You have the choice to accept some, all or none of their recommendations.

The goal of this program is to recover any unnecessary telecom fees your company is spending.

The process is very unobtrusive since you can either send your statements to your Schooley Mitchell consultant to be analyzed or they can come to you.

Schooley Mitchell is the largest independent telecom consulting company in North America, with offices from coast to coast. They have experience dealing with both large and small companies and are committed to making recommendations that are tailored to each client’s needs.

Mark’s Work Warehouse Members of Landscape Nova Scotia will continue to receive 15% off regular priced items at Mark’s Work Warehouse stores across Canada.

This discount is available to all members and their employees. It took some time but we now have an electronic discount card instead of one that would be mailed to you. Please contact us for the link to download the PDF. Once you have the electronic voucher, print it off and take it to the store with you and have it scanned at the register to receive your discount. It’s

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The Canadian Rose Story

~ by Rita Weerdenburg, CNLA

appointed to direct some of the first experimental farms in Canada. He contributed greatly in developing plants that could survive the rough Canadian climate. “Agnes” was never released by Saunders, as it was a gift to his wife. It eventually was released by his successors--the first hybridized rose in Canada--and is still in commerce today!

In 1884, a few years after “Agnes” was created, a man named John Dunlop was also working to breed roses that were hardy in Canada. Upon noticing a market for cut flowers in winter, he took it upon himself to build a small greenhouse and begin propagating roses. He imported hardier under stock from Europe and eventually opened the first florist shop in Toronto. In 1898, “White Bougère” was released. He continued to release more roses, winning prizes for many of them. He helped to found the Rose Society of Ontario, later to be dissolved into the Canadian Rose Society.

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he rose is not just any ordinary flower. Time after time, it has captivated an audience. This flower has become a symbol for love and beauty. It has played leading roles in art, lore, and poetry. As far back as 500 BCE, civilizations have been cultivating these flowers, grown for their exquisite beauty and scent. Because of this mysterious allure, growers have sought to tame, hybridize, propagate, and relocate this thorny shrub.

The story was no different in Canada. Early settlers came to this country with memories of the flower flourishing in milder climates. But bringing plants over from other countries was not the only hurdle to introducing roses in Canada, there was the cool climate with harsh winters to deal with. For a rose to survive in Canada, it needed to be disease resistant, and incredibly hardy. Thus began the history of rose breeding in Canada.

These were the humble beginnings of rose breeding in Canada.

From this point on, there were many advancements in the field of horticulture, many due to the experimental farms. One in particular, Morden, in Manitoba, made great contributions to the rose growing tradition in Canada. Campbell Davidson, former director of Morden quotes “One of the most important steps in the Morden Rose breeding program was taken was taken by the late Henry Marshall when he used one of our hardy native roses, Rosa arkansana as parent. This bridge helped to bring cold tolerance to the otherwise rather tender garden roses and opened door for future breeders.”

The first rose hybridization in Canada can be accredited to two individuals. Both of these men worked simultaneously, but on separate projects.

One of these men was William Saunders. Saunders was a true Renaissance man, mastering the fields of Pharmacy, Entomology, and Botany as well as being involved in the arts and music, all the while rearing his six children along with his wife Agnes. In 1862, Saunders bought a plot of land and began his work in plant breeding. He started with apples, and by 1873 had moved on to berries and flowers. Out of this, came “Agnes Rose”. He obtained this rose by crossing Rosa rugosa with Rosa foetida persiana. Saunders work was well recognized by government organizations and he was soon

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Another great contributor to the rose breeding tradition was Dr. Felicitas Svejda. Working out of Ottawa at the Central Experimental Farm, she developed twenty-five rose cultivars from 1961 to 1985, thirteen of which she personally released as the famed Explorer Series.

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Morden and Central were two of the centres for ornamental plant breeding for many years under Agriculture and AgriFoods Canada. Out of Morden came the much celebrated Parkland series of roses. Recently all ornamental plant breeding has been passed on to private companies. John Bakker, of J.C. Bakker & Sons Ltd. nursery, has been volunteering with the Canadian Artists rose consortium.

He comments on this change, “Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada (AAFC) has made a name for itself in the area of cold hardy roses, but we are still somewhat limited in plant selection due to colder climates. With the private sector taking over the breeding program from the government, we will be able to build upon what AAFC has started in cold hardiness, and begin to offer roses that are not only hardy, but also contain many other desirable traits that are sought after today, such as disease resistance, vibrant colours, repeat bloom, etc.” Future rose (and other ornamental plants) breeding and research has been passed on from AAFC to Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) and Canadian Ornamental Plant Foundation (COPF), led by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

The Canadian rose story is one that continues. Even among all of this change, the newest rose is set to be released in 2012--Bill Reid. It is a part of the Canadian Artists series, along with the Felix LeClerc and Emily Carr roses. It is truly amazing to see how far Canadian rose breeding has come. Roses are no longer a plant associated with warm climate exclusively.

They have risen above the stigma of fragile organisms that require a lot of attention, and can now be easily cultivated in any landscape.

News

A New Season Start with the Landscape Industry Certified Exam The Atlantic Region Certification Committee would like to thank Shaw Brick for being our Silver Sponsor, and Atlantic Cat for sponsoring our lunch for the day. Also thanks to Highland Landscapes for Lifestyle, Earth-Craft Landscape Ltd., and McGinley’s Yard & Garden Equipment for sponsoring stations for the test. Materials and equipment were provided by Advance Motorsports, Echo, Stihl, Atlantic Cat, McGinley’s Yard & Garden Equipment, Elmsdale

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he Landscape Industry Certified exam marks the start of the spring season in Atlantic Canada. This year’s exam took place on April 21st at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. With 32 candidates, it was a great way to kick off the year. Judges and candidates came from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI to take part in the exam.

Test days continue to grow in the region showing that certification is something that adds value to companies.

Landscaping Ltd., and Shaw Brick. A big thanks to the NSAC for hosting our test and continuing to support the industry.

If you are interested in learning more about the Landscape Industry Certified program, please contact Julia Ricottone at the CNLA office (1-888-446-3499, ext. 8615, julia@ canadanursery.com), and get yourself prepared to register for our next test in the fall.

Landscape Horticulturist On-the-Job Training

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he Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has worked with the Canadian Landscape Nursery Association (CNLA) to produce a video and mobile app to demonstrate how to use the ‘job instruction method’ to train new and experienced workers in the ornamental sector.

These on-the-job training (OJT) tools are simple in design, practical to use in the field, and provide employers with a standardized approach to training.

They are intended to coach employers in teaching workers a wide variety of skills using a ‘learn by doing’ approach. Released on February 1, 2012, the video and mobile app provides employers with the tools required to train their new workers quickly and efficiently.

Videos can be ordered through the CAHRC store.

The mobile app is available for sale at the Android Marketplace.

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News

Landscape Awards Bursary Winner

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ongratulations to Jordan Thompson winner of LNS Bursary for Outstanding Acheivement in the Nova Scotia Community College Horticulture Program. LNS executive directotr Pam Woodman visit the NS Community College, Kingstec Campus to present Jordan with a cheque for $750. On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of LNS, Congratulations Jordan!

Pam Woodman, LNS Executive Director presenting bursary to Jordan Thompson.

Landscape NS Welcomes New Members The following companies have recently joined LNS.....

• Axeman Property Managemnet - Falmouth • Conrad’s Landscape Lighting - Dartmouth • Diesel Landscaping & Property Maintenance - Stillwater Lake • Ducke’s Lawn Care - Dartmouth • Ecotech Landscape & Gardens Ltd. -Halifax • First Class Grass Landscaping & Excavation Inc. - Bayside • Fralick Insurance - Fall River • Honda Canada Inc. - Dartmouth • Marsh Canada - Halifax • McGinleys Yard & Garden Equipment - Truro • Rhyno’s Landscaping - Lakeside • Scott and Stewart Forestry- Antigonish • Terra Marine Environmental Ltd. - Dartmouth • Western Landscaping - Yarmouth • Whynder’s Property Maintenance - Dartmouth • Yards Plus Property Services Ltd. - Truro

Community Volunteer Opportunity...

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number of Fall River community groups (Shubenacadie Watershed Environmental Protection Society (SWEPS), Lockview Area Ratepayers Association (LARA), Fall River Vision Project) have submitted a successful application to Tree Canada under their “Edible Trees” initiative. We have received funding to obtain and plant fruit and nut trees and berry bushes in a community park in the subdivision of Saint Andrew’s Village in Fall River.

The first step in the project is to determine how many and the best mix of trees and shrubs that we can fit into the space available. For this, we are looking for expert advice. This is a community volunteer opportunity to take part in the planning of a one day planting event. We want to be able to order plants in sufficient time to guarantee delivery in time for the planned planting day. If you care to participate we are offering to put your name and/or your company name on the sign that we are obliged to erect under the terms of the grant.

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If you are interested in helping us out, please contact Michael Creighton at 902-861-1476.

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News Pesticide Applicator Recertification Points!

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andscape Nova Scotia members will have the opportunity to take the Persicide Recertification Credit Points course with trainer, Jim Jotcham at four different locations throughout the month of May. Jim ihas been professionally working with pesticides since 1979 and has been offering pesticide training courses and workshops since 1990. This course is eligible for five points under the Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Labour pesticide recertification program. Although not designed as a full course, people wiching to prepare for writing the exam are welcome and will find it very useful.

The event will cover topics such as Legistative Updates from Health Canada and the NS Department of Environment, Pesticide Groups and IPM, test yourself on a label, sharpening up calculation skills & calibration hints, Invasive Species, and New Product Review.

May 7 - Fire Hall, Waterville, Kings Co. May 8 - Museum of Industry, Stellarton May 15 - Days Inn, Bridgewater May 17 - Wandlyn Inn, Amherst Course cost is $75.00 payable on the day. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch, pencil/pen, a calculator and their current pesticide license. Please contact Jim to register at 902-538-7101 or marbicon@eastlink.ca. Cheques can be made payable to Marbicon Inc.

he Atlantic Landscape Directory which is a Membership and Buyers T Guide will be arriving in mailboxes soon. The directory is currently available online at http://www.landscapenovascotia.ca

New Branding for Landscape NS!

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andscape Nova Scotia will be launching a new branding Green For Life in 2012. Your decals will be with enclosed with your GreeNScene. Do not throw them out. Post them on your office, shops, and/or vehicles. Check out the Green for Life website www.landscapenovascotia.com!

Experts from Green for Life companies can help you do your own part for a greener world. On top of the environmental benefits, investment in green enhances your property value and draws your family together outdoors.

Landscape the province, with Green for Life!

What is Green for Life?

Green for Life is a program from your provincial landscaping trade association, a group of green industry businesses working together to promote the joys and benefits of plants and landscapes.

Landscape association members are experts in their fields: landscape contractors, garden retailers, landscape designers and more. Member companies range widely in size and specialty, but all members are united in their appreciation for nature, and their desire to improve quality of life for everyone by making the province greener.

This passion goes beyond business. Landscape association members believe in environmental stewardship. Plants form the green industry’s foundation, and they create oxygen and cool the Earth and plants are unique in actually improving our environment! www.landscapenovascotia.ca / com

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News

Automobile Risk Management

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ith more than 23,198,000 drivers on the road, it’s likely that many of us will experience or witness some kind of automobile accident this year.

In order to help you do everything you can to protect your business from insurance claims, we have listed below a few points that may help you determine who you want driving your vehicles.

Statistically, the use of driver controls has been shown to improve loss results for companies who are involved in hiring drivers to support their business functions. Reduced losses can help result in reduced insurance premiums, which in turn result in lower business expenses. It’s important that you implement driver controls to minimize the cost of insurance and to protect the reputation of your company from being damaged by bad publicity. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs) should be obtained on all new drivers and reviewed for license status, license class, and conviction history.

2. MVRs should be updated every three years for drivers with clean driving records, and every year for drivers who have conviction histories.

3. As a business owner, you must determine what is acceptable with respect to conviction history, what disciplinary action is to be taken, and apply that

criteria consistently. Insurers generally recommend there are no more than three minor convictions (e.g. speeding under 50 km/hour (over the posted speed limit), not coming to a complete stop, improper turn, seatbelt infractions, etc.). Drivers who have any major convictions (e.g. drunk driving, speeding over 50 km/ hour (over the posted speed limit), careless driving, etc.) should not be placed in driving positions.

4. Drivers should be assigned to a vehicle in order to ensure that they are operating the correct vehicle for their class of license. For example, a driver who is only licensed to operate a private passenger or light commercial vehicle, should not be assigned/operating a heavy commercial vehicle for which a different class of licensing is required.

5. Employers must be familiar with licensing requirements and ensure that a driver is only assigned to a vehicle when the insured is certain that the driver is appropriately licensed for that type of vehicle.

6. A minimum age for drivers and a minimum number of years of driving experience should be determined.

The minimum driving experience should be applied to the type of vehicle being operated. For example, a driver being hired to operate a dump truck must have the minimum driving experience of “x” years on that type of vehicle. The total years licensed is not the measure of experience for this type of unit.

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nown nationally for growing a successful business, Tim’s values have been instilled in his family and coworkers as he led Halifax Seed through over 30 years of success. Over the last several years as Tim stepped away from the day to day operations of Halifax Seed, he and wife Nancy have guided employees and family into taking over the management, operations and ownership of the business.

The company will continue to operate with the same family business values that have been passed on through the generations since the business was first established in 1866.

Tim was known nationally for his work as president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. During his term, Tim was a successful intervener on a Supreme Court of Canada case on Intellectual Property Protection. Also president of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises, Tim guided the organization through the formative years and helped develop the sound foundation that CAFE NS has built upon over the years. Other organizations that Tim was involved in include: Maskwa Aquatic Club Steering Committee and Paddling Director, Canadian Power and Sail Squadron member and instructor, soccer coach, Landscape Nova Scotia, and the H.M.H advanced ski team. Regardless of the organization that he has been involved in it is the friendships he developed that meant the most.

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1. The insured should have a job description for all positions.

3. The insured should use an application in order to collect all relevant information, including driver’s license numbers.

3. All applicants should be interviewed prior to hiring and asked to supply a copy of their MVR for review during the interview process.

4. Minimum age and driving experience criteria should be applied to applicants. No drivers under the age of 25 as they are considered higher risk drivers and you will be charged an additional premium for them.

5. References should be checked.

If you have any questions regarding your auto insurance, please contact Tyler MacLaren, Marsh Canada Limited at 1 902 490 2147.

CNLA Ramps Up Online Presence

Remembering Tim Tregunno...

LNS is saddened by the passing of Tim Tregunno, owner of Halifax Seed on February 25, 2012.

Listed below are some hiring standards that will help you manage your fleet of vehicles and in turn can help reduce your insurance costs:

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n the same week, CNLA has launched its new website (www.cnla-acpp.ca) and online member directory (http://directory.cnlaacpp.ca) to significantly raise the online profile of the industry and the association. CNLA’s website is repository of industry wide news, statistics, and information as well as a resource for learning about all of the benefits and services available to the membership across the country. Recently, CNLA has made the decision to move from a printed version of the Membership Directory to a completely online version.

The project has been in the works for several weeks but is now ready to be launched. The online member directory allows users to search for professional industry members across the country narrowing their search by province, business type, business name, contact, and city. To prevent spammers from misusing membership information we have opted to not include fax numbers and we have built a form that the user must use in order to email a company in the search results. The CNLA website receives over 200,000 hits on average per year with traffic from all over the globe. Also be sure to check out CNLA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

www.landscapenovascotia.ca / com

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2012 LNSHTA Board of Directors EXECUTIVE Paul MacPhee, President MacPhee’s Landscaping Service P: (902) 483-5283 Peter Bugden, Vice-President Nutri-Lawn P: (902) 468-8101 Scott Mosher, Past President Terra Nova Landscaping Inc. P: (902) 835-7387 President Laura Coupar, Treasurer Emlsdale Landscaping P: (902) 883-2291 Robin Godfrey, CNLA Rep. Atlantic Gardens Inc. P: (902) 865-7195

STAFF:

Doug Brannen, Director Shaw Brick P: (902) 468-7429

Pam Woodman Executive Director pam@landscapenovascotia.ca P: (902) 463-0519

Tom Heighway, Director Maritime Lawn & Garden P: (902) 445-0208

Christine Finn CNLA/LNS Provincial Relations Co-ordinator christine@canadanursery.com P. (888) 446-3499 ext 8655

Ryan Streatch, Director Granview Landscape Group P: (902) 384-2090 David Thompson, Director Weedman / Christmas Decor P: (902) 468-9333 Russell Beakhouse, Director Groundcover Landscaping P: (902) 430-5263 Andrew Palmer, Director Blomidon Nurseries Ltd. P: (902) 542-3346

Landscape Nova Scotia -

Together we Grow!

2012 MEMBERSHIP FORM Landscape Nova Scotia 44 - 201 Brownlow Ave. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3B 1W2 P: (902) 463-0519 1-877-567-4769 F: (902) 446-8104 info@landcapenovascotia.ca www.landscapenovascotia.ca

2012 MEMBERSHIP FEES: Plus HST Horticultural Affiliate............................ $ 78.00 Active / Supplier................................ $452.00 Out of Province (CNLA Members) .... $130.00

Yes, I am interested in becoming a member of Landscape Nova Scotia Please renew my membership for Landscape Nova Scotia Name:

2012 - LNSHTA IMPORTANT DATES • LNS 4th Annual Softball Tournament July 7., 2012 Enfield Legion, Enfield NS www.landscapenovascotia.ca • LNS Grant Mosher Annual Golf Tournament August 9, 2012 Sherwood Golf and Country Club, Chester NS www.landscapenovascotia.ca • Atlantic Green Forum October 29 -30, 2012 Holiday Inn, St. John’s NL www.landscapenl.org • HortEast 2012 November 19 - 21, 2012 Cunard Centre, Halifax, NS www.horteast.ns.ca

Address: City:

Prov.

P.C.

Tel:

Fax:

Email: www.landscapenovascotia.ca / com