Landscape Ontario - July-August 2021

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

July-August 2021

Family

Ashley Gowland and Craig Rose have developed an award-winning team that produce incredible results.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

July-August 2021 • Volume 39 - No. 05 HortTrades.com Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural profession in Ontario.

LO MEMBER BENEFITS

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Features 4 8 12 16 18

Profile: Rockscape

Toronto Chapter bursary Mandating COVID vaccines at work

Trial Gardens preview

GROW program continues

Departments 25 32 33 34 38 42

Association News

Scholarship Profile Educator Profile

Professional News Columns

Advertisers

Director of Communications and Publications Scott Barber sbarber@landscapeontario.com, 647-478-3171 Editor Robert Ellidge rellidge@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-5645

Creative director / IT coordinator Mike Wasilewski mikew@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5343

Sales manager Greg Sumsion gsumsion@landscapeontario.com, 647-722-6977 Communications coordinator Angela Lindsay alindsay@landscapeontario.com, 647-723-5305 Digital Marketing Specialist Adele Bedard abedard@landscapeontario.com

Accountant Joe Sabatino jsabatino@landscapeontario.com, 647-724-8585

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF

Rachel Abitan, Darryl Bond, Amy Buchanan, Joan D’Souza, Kaneisha De Leon, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Cassandra Garrard, Meghan Greaves, Lori Harding, Sally Harvey CLT CLM, Amanda Laszcz, Keri MacIvor, Heather MacRae, Kathy McLean, Andrew McNabb, Shalini Mehta, Sarah Rafols, Joe Salemi, Christy Sebastian, Ian Service, Jessica Tucker, David Turnbull, Lissa Schoot Uiterkamp, Tom Somerville

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Gerald Boot CLM, Laura Catalano, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Jeremy Feenstra, Mark Fisher, Hank Gelderman, Marty Lamers, Bob Tubby, Nick Winkelmolen Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department - Landscape Ontario 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada Phone: 905-875-1805 ISSN 1928-9553 Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519 Views expressed are those of the writer concerned. Landscape Ontario assumes no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2021, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 9x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $43.51 per year (HST included).

For subscription and address changes, please e-mail subscriptions@landscapeontario.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A

Adapt, and roll with it we needed to take delivery of materials on spec. We had to adapt our sales process to sell a smaller range of inventoried materials, instead of the large selection that used to be available from our local supplier.

Rolling with it… Hopefully your customers are rolling with it too. We have been trying to manage expectations through the everchanging process. We start the conversation with clients by talking about material shortages. Everyone has heard about lumber issues and almost everyone I have talked to has a story about a purchase that had an extended delivery delay due to some kind of supply chain issue. With clients who want a specific material, we discuss holding off on the project until materials are available. My pool builder mentioned he might have to shut down for a couple of weeks because he was running out of plumbing parts. What can you do? Roll with it…

Regular communication is key to managing expectations. We are certainly not perfect at it, but our team is working harder than ever to make it all work.

The labour element is a whole other story. I have mentioned in previous columns where we need to be, but getting there will be a long road. This year there were a lot more students available than last year at this time, and we have taken advantage of the situation by hiring a great team. When they go back to school in fall, that will be a challenge, so we are planning now.

With constant adaptation it is easy to lose sight of your goals. Remember to look up and see where you are headed. It is important. I challenge you to hit the goals you set at the beginning of the year, no matter the circuitous route this “Hundred days of Hell” has taken you… Oh, and don’t forget to take a break. Your mental health is just as important as hitting those goals.

s I write this, we are most of the way through the annual “Hundred days of Hell.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the first 100 days of the season. For me, it has been a very crazy time. Our company made a shift late last year, in our design-build division — from 80 per cent commercial bid build to 80 per cent residential design-build. This shift was mostly intentional, but we also saw a slowing in the commercial market due to Covid-19. As a result, our designers and sales people have been extremely busy, designing and selling backyard retreats for our clients. We set sales goals back in January that the team is now blowing out of the water. I personally hit my target for the year in mid-May. That all sounds great, right? But, what do you do when you don’t have the labourers to plant that tree, the material to build that patio, or if the mowers you ordered in December still haven’t arrived? You roll with it…

Hopefully, you have treated your vendors well and built up some favours over time.

One of our equipment vendors approached us in April, just after we’d swapped out a machine that was on lease. He reminded us we had a machine coming due in October and was concerned he wouldn’t have any machines then. So, we took another machine early at a slightly higher lease rate. The rate might be 50 bucks more, but we have a machine and that certainty is peace of mind. Driving past the dealer the other day, I noticed he had no machines in stock.

As the material shortage loomed, we started stripping and gravelling our back lot at the shop, to make room for material storage. Our plan was to order and take delivery of materials as soon as we sold a job. We started with that, but soon found

Dave Wright LO President

davew@wrightlandscape.ca

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Member Profile:

BRACEBRIDGE, ONT.

Strong culture produces

incredible results

T

By Chris Occhiuzzi

his year’s Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence were amazingly fruitful for Rockscape.

The Muskoka, Ont.-based business won six awards in total, including four construction honours and the Green Stamp Award.

However, the one which really touched the hearts of the whole Rockscape team — especially the owners and management — was receiving the Employer of Choice Award.

Owner Craig Rose and his daughter Ashley Gowland were bursting with pride when chatting about the award, saying it is the culmination of years of work.

While the company has thrived for 30 years, four years ago they made the decision to focus on developing their company culture.

The award provided validation for their efforts and also reinforced what they already knew: they have a great group of team-first individuals who are closer to family than employees.

“I think back to all of the hard work and effort that we put into building that positive culture here at Rockscape,” says Rose. “We’re very proud of our team, and we love to know they enjoy working here. It’s an honour to get that award.”

Both Rose and Gowland were appreciative because they know the team took the time to write and submit positive feedback about Rockscape.

“I have no idea what they said about us, but it must have been good stuff,” Rose says with a chuckle.

Gowland says when they began developing their company’s core values, they included the whole team in

the process. The group developed the company’s five core values: honesty, respect, creativity, dependability and forward thinking.

“Even through last year (during COVID), it was such a successful year because those core values are ingrained through our culture here now,” says Gowland.

But it’s more than just coming up with a few significant words. Rockscape put their money where their mouth was, beginning with a series of recurring and one-off collaborative exercises to strengthen their team bonds.

They began holding morning huddles with the crew — including a Fun Friday huddle — and even closed shop on two separate days in the summer (pre-pandemic of course) to visit Muskoka Woods adventure camp and enjoy team building events.

Their team comprises 55 to 60 individuals, including 15 year-round staff, 25 spring-to-fall employees and 15 to 20 summer students. It has taken a concerted effort and investment to get everyone on the same page.

Some of their team-building efforts have been shared with clients — their Instagram feed saw a big boost in popularity during the Fun Friday huddles, recalls Rose.

“It was always fun, team building stuff,” he says.

“I firmly believe that in order to keep these employees engaged, it needs to be fun. You need to feel like you are contributing in a positive way and each one of them needs to feel like they play a part in that.”

These types of activities were essential in creating the amazing culture that exists at Rockscape. It has

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Rockscape specializes in landscaping projects on island cottages and homes in the Muskoka, Georgian Bay and Haliburton area.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

In addition to design build, a separate division focuses on cottage care, property management, small renovations and general maintenance.

created a team-first environment, rather than just a bunch of individuals working on projects together. Rose reiterates this was extremely helpful during the early days of the pandemic.

“We were able to ride through some tough months last spring with a group that was really committed to the organization,” says Rose.

It’s fair to point out that a positive working culture also leads to tremendous work being done. The evidence is the four projects which won Landscape Ontario construction awards. These included properties on Sparrow Lake, Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka and in the Haliburton Highlands.

The latter also received the Green Stamp Award, which is presented to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes.

Rose and Gowland said they were

honoured to receive these awards for the “amazing projects” Rockscape did last year.

“That was a surprise because we didn’t know about that award,” Rose says of the Green Stamp. “We were pleasantly surprised and honoured to be one of two companies in Ontario to get that.”

While 2020 ended up being a strong year once the ball got rolling, Rose says 2021 is lining up to be even better. They already have several large projects on the go, which has their seven hardscape design build teams booked out until the fall.

But Rockscape has more than just designbuild landscape services to offer. Unwind with Rockscape is a separate division of the company focused on full cottage care, property management, small renovation work and other general maintenance.

Meanwhile, Elevate with Rockscape is their landscape lighting and irrigation division.

Rose notes one of their specialties is

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working on island cottages and homes in Muskoka, Georgian Bay and Haliburton.

Working on islands begins as soon as the ice comes out and lasts until the snow falls, meaning the team has a lot of cold mornings and evenings on either side of the lovely summer weather.

“We’ve been doing it for a long time, so logistically we make it work, but there is a lot of extra timing and organization that goes into getting equipment and our team over to do the work; including coordinating with several barge operators,” explains Rose.

Through it all, Rose and Gowland make sure the Rockscape team feels valued and appreciated.

“I want my team to feel like this is where they want to be, like we’re all part of the same family here,” says Rose.

Judging by the results of the Landscape Ontario Awards, they’ve successfully implemented that vision.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Rockscape recipient of two brand new awards In February 2021, Rockscape was awarded two brand new awards in the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence program.

The Bracebridge, Ont.-based landscape construction, design and maintenance company earned a Green Stamp Award and an Employer of Choice Award and in addition to four construction awards.

Green Stamp Award The judges also gave Rockscape’s Haliburton Highlands project a Green Stamp Award which the judges can award to any project that exemplifies green practices, and use of quality construction, maintenance

and design in sustainable landscapes, including best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation, green roof technologies.

Employer of Choice Award This inaugural award was given to Rockscape and to Wentworth Landscapes

of Picton, Ont., for their exemplary practices.

To be considered for the award, both companies had to submit their employee manual and financial data, plus all employees participated in an anonymous survey in which they were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with things like work/life balance, compensation, company culture, communication, and more.

Online entries now open Landscape Ontario members have until October 1 to enter projects in the 2022 Awards of Excellence program. Full details are online at LOawards.com.

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Toronto Chapter Bursary

SUPPORTS WORTHY COMMUNITY PROJECTS

W

By Taniya Spolia

St. George Community Garden

hat began as a one-time project to develop an accessible playground for handicapped children has now become a long-standing tradition of supporting the horticulture community.

Every year, the Toronto Chapter of Landscape Ontario provides grants up to $15,000, with a maximum amount of $1,500 to any single recipient, with the hopes of fostering the growth of small communitybased green projects.

“We depend on word of mouth to get applicants, and that’s never been a problem...as long as [applicants] have a plan, volunteers, permission for the project and things organized then we can give you something to help,” says board member Skai Leja.

Although the primary help comes in the form of funding, Leja also speaks towards taking this opportunity to connect the horticulture community — from amateurs to professionals.

“It would be great to put the thought out there that if you have a group, or hear of a group, in your neighbourhood that resonates with you — whether it’s a school yard or an outdoor space for seniors — then you have the opportunity to get involved,” explains Leja. “And I’m talking to you as a contractor or someone involved in Landscape Ontario, as a person to carry your expertise outside of professional involvement and into the community.”

Taking a small personal interest in groups that require support is one of the many ways to develop and encourage growth in the horticulture profession.

“Our members are very giving, for example the contributions towards the frontline workers gardens,” mentions Leja. “People are contributing time, materials...that’s why we like to share this information. These aspirations aren’t too hard to reach, it’s more of a matter of ‘oh, I didn’t know that’ or ‘I never knew that group is near me.’”

This year, community projects across the Greater Toronto Area have taken off through hard work, community diligence and support from the Toronto Chapter. In celebration of their accomplishments and the goal to sustain horticulture enthusiasm, this is what some have been up to.

Putting community interest first, households have come together to create a beautiful shared urban garden at 280 St. George Avenue, in Oakville, Ont. Nuri Chang, gardener and tenant, spearheaded the project four years ago when she went to property management and pitched the idea of a communal garden. Since then, with the support of the landlord, building staff, grants, volunteers and fellow tenants, she and her community have been able to expand the garden to include food, fedges and a pollinator garden.

“There are five households that are most actively engaged,” says fellow tenant and gardener Paul Overy. “I’m very grateful Nuri sparked this chance to create a community around a garden. It’s an opportunity for us to grow some of our own food and show others [living in the city] that it can be done.”

To avoid membership fees and asking community members to pay out-of-pocket, these gardeners rely heavily on grants to sustain their gardens.

“We have no budget,” says Chang. “In the first year I was able to get a little bit of pocket money that enabled us to buy some things to start off… as well as support from our property manager. Since then, [grants] help us with everything.”

“I want to stress how thankful we are,” adds Overy.

Looking forward, both hope to sustain the garden and also advocate that not all urban land should be concrete and impermeable.

Instead they say, it has the potential to house food producing productive plants that can develop and build a sense of community.

Chang implores those who live in rental properties to check-in with their landlords and tenant base, mentioning “if people are willing to put in the time, then this can be done. The result is a beautiful and educational opportunity for people of all ages.”

With the right support, and facilities, projects like the St.George community garden show us that communities can truly do amazing things.

Continued >

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Italian Cultural Centre of Milton and Sustainable Milton

The Italian Cultural Centre of Milton (ICCM) has been a long standing pillar of community support in the Halton region. In the past, they have been focused on a number of philanthropic initiatives, from donating to the Milton District Hospital Foundation, to using their commercial kitchen to provide food for at-need households.

Now, in tandem with Sustainable Milton — a grassroots organization that aims to promote sustainable living through education and community projects — the two groups are working to develop pollinator, community and memorial gardens on the ICCM grounds.

“Milton is a great community,” says Rosanna Conteduca, ICCM president. We have great organizations and it’s never just about ‘me, me, me.’ When we put these organizations together we create greatness and I think that’s what we have — greatness.

[Our property] is there for our community to appreciate and really enjoy, not just a few members… it’s beautiful and underutilized.”

The natural beauty of the grounds spans over 15 acres. Community initiatives and maintenance are dependent on donations, fundraising events and grants — the latter of which has become even more important during the pandemic.

“Without the grants and support of our community, our members, and our donors… it wouldn’t be possible. We can’t have any of this without the funding and support to help our ideas fly,” explains Wendy Roberts, a board member of both teams.

Both organizations hope to expand their existing gardens and develop new ones to maximize the use of the land while engaging new community members in their efforts.

“As founding members are starting to get elderly, and fewer and fewer, we decided it was really important to bring in new people,” explains Conteduca.

Sustaining the land comes with sustaining their community.

“There’s a lot to learn… we need to teach and include as many different groups and ages as possible,” says Marsha Smith, Chair of Sustainable Milton. “Growing up, watching my dad fluttering around and spending hours [in the garden] has made me want to instill that love of being outdoors and enjoying nature in others.”

The gardens are to serve as a crossroad between generations, where transgenerational learning can flourish alongside plants and produce.

Anson Public School Pollinator Garden With ever greater social awareness of the dangers of climate change, the topic of environmental stewardship is increasingly

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taught in primary school science classes.

Paul Fernandez, a seventh and eighth grade science teacher at Anson Public School in Scarborough, Ont., aims to bring hands-on environmental learning opportunities to his students in the form of a pollinator garden.

“With elementary science, we talk a lot about global warming and the misuse of resources… it’s like ‘What can we do as individuals?’ — I think this [question] is why I want to do things like [the garden] with my students,” explains Fernandez.

The school’s pollinator garden is home to native species and pollinator plants.

While it is currently in its early stages, with support from community members and grants, Fernandez hopes to see it’s continued development. From better quality soil to enlisting the help of landscape professionals, much work is still to be done.

“Ultimately we want to expand our pollinator garden program… get the materials to make something that is sustainable year to year,” says Fernandez.

“Something that won’t get taken out by a lawn mower or trampled by bicycles… maybe we can add signage to make it clear that ‘this is important, please let it grow and mature.’”

Beyond having a beautiful space and being good environmental citizens, the garden serves as a foundation for students.

Elementary school is often void of hands-on opportunities that may gear children toward an interest in the skilled trades.

“If I can give [a child] an introduction to some carpentry… building planter boxes, or get them interested in growing a garden then they might see themselves in [these fields],” explains Fernandez.

And so, through education and passion, students, teachers and community members of Anson Public School are showing the community what can be done with a little bit of knowledge and hard work.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Parkview Neighbourhood Garden The Parkview Neighbourhood Garden sits in the heart of North York, Ont., spanning two-acres amid high-condo buildings and residential houses. Managed by 10 volunteers, it thrives under a shared community passion and appreciation. Two volunteers, Bonnie LaRue and Michel Klamph, describe the garden as an Oasis and escape from everyday life. “[The gardens are] my therapy,” mentions LaRue. “A getaway… a work in progress.”

Abandoned for several years, only recently did a team come together to revitalize the area.

“I felt embarrassed for the people who lived across the road… who for many years were looking at a wild mess of a perennial garden. Ever since last year, they get to look at beauty,” says Klamph.

As public land, the area was initially cleared by the city, but the responsibility to cover operational expenses was left to the gardeners. The garden has been developed through volunteer work and donations. Grants, such as the one from the Toronto Chapter Bursary, gives them the opportunity to maintain a flourishing environment.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” says LaRue, “we sometimes need to replace tools, ones that have gotten very old or broken — just weren’t usable. All the seeds [Michel and her group] have to buy. You wouldn’t believe, for the vegetable garden, how they have to scrounge for free seeds and reuse them from [existing] plants.”

And what they get from the community, they like to give back — donating produce and funds from their garden market to food security programs. A garden in the works, LaRue and Klamph both hope to see young people continue to join and learn from this community initiative.

“To me, the most important thing is sustainability,” says LaRue. “All this work we’re doing this year… I hope, 10 or 15 years from now, we’re still able to walk through.”

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MANDATING LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

COVID-19 VACCINES

IN THE

WORKPLACE T

By Sébastien Huard and Alanna Twohey

he COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway in Ontario, with second doses slated to be available to everyone 12 years of age and older by the end of summer. While it does not appear the Ontario government will mandate vaccination, the question arises: can employers require their employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

Currently, there is no easy answer to this question.

Courts and labour arbitrators have yet to consider the issue of mandatory vaccination in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is some pre-existing case law arising from the issue of mandatory flu vaccination and “vaccinate or mask” policies, those decisions arose in the health care setting, and therefore have limited applicability to other workplaces.

following factors may minimize the likelihood of a challenge to the policy: ● The policy must not conflict with applicable employment or collective agreements; ● The policy requirements (ie: when vaccination must be completed and what documentary proof will be required) must be clear; ● The policy must be non-disciplinary; ● Accommodation must be built into the process; and ● Employees must be made aware of the consequence of a breach of the policy, and of how the personal information they provide to the employer will be protected.

In terms of the consequences of non-compliance, “vaccinate or terminate” policies are generally unenforceable. Alternatives to termination as a result of a failure to vaccinate may instead include the option to continue to wear a mask and comply with other applicable safety measures (ie: physical distancing), or to take a leave of absence, whether paid or unpaid, during periods of high transmission (ie: an outbreak in the workplace).

Existing employees

While many employers may wish to mandate immunization in order to meet their occupational health and safety obligations to their current employees, their ability to do so is limited, both by human rights legislation (ie: some employees may be unable to be vaccinated due to a disability or their religion, both of which are grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code), and by employees’ rights to privacy and security of the person. Thus, imposing a mandatory vaccination rule or policy may expose employers to human rights complaints, individual and policy grievances (with respect to unionized employees), or even claims of constructive dismissal (from non-unionized employees).

For employers who decide to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement, due consideration of the

Privacy considerations

With respect to asking employees for proof of vaccination, employers should comply with general privacy principles.

Typically, this will mean employers should ensure any personal, medical information collected from employees is directly related to, and necessary, for the achievement of their policy’s goal (ie: ensuring workplace health and safety). The collection of employee personal information should also be as limited as

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO possible. For example, employers should limit the data collected to confirmation that the employee has received either a first or second dose of a vaccine, and the date on which it was received, as opposed to also collecting the vaccine’s brand name, the location of immunization, etc.

All personal health information collected should be safeguarded and protected from unnecessary disclosure, and shared only on a “need to know” basis.

What about new hires?

While employers have more flexibility in imposing vaccination as a condition of hire for new employees, there are still several significant risks related to such a requirement. For example, from a human rights perspective, employers are typically permitted to require the provision of medical information as a condition of employment only where doing so can be justified as a “bona fide occupational requirement.” Where an employer has not mandated that its existing employees must be vaccinated, it will be difficult for the employer to then prove that vaccination is a requirement for new hires. In other words, if the employer can find ways for its

existing, unvaccinated employees to work safely, how can it then justify refusing to accommodate new employees in the same way? Additionally, if an employer were to refuse to hire a candidate based on their disclosure they have not been vaccinated, a claim of discrimination may arise if the candidate has a medical or religiously based reason that they cannot be vaccinated.

Accordingly, employers who wish to mandate vaccination for new hires are well advised to employ some risk mitigation strategies. These approaches should include clearly indicating in all job postings that new employees will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon being offered the job, but will be accommodated if necessary (ie:, if they cannot be vaccinated due to a ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code). Candidates should not be asked during the interview process about their immunization status or plans, lest the question unintentionally “out” the fact they cannot be vaccinated due to a ground protected by human rights legislation. Finally, the job offer itself should clearly state that, if the candidate cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine for a human rights-related reason, they must advise the

employer so that the employer can discuss appropriate accommodation measures with them.

Conclusion

So, can an employer require some or all of its employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine? The answer will likely change as more information becomes available regarding how COVID-19 vaccines work and their efficacy. For now, in most workplaces, enforcing a mandatory vaccination requirement is going to be an uphill battle.

That said, employer encouragement and support may go a long way toward ensuring employees get vaccinated, without being as likely as a mandated policy to attract judicial or arbitral scrutiny.

Emond Harnden LLP regularly advises and assists employers who are considering introducing COVID-19 vaccination policies in their workplaces. For more information or for assistance with this process, please contact Sébastien Huard at shuard@ehlaw.ca at 613-940-2744 or Alanna Twohey at atwohey@ehlaw.ca at 613-563-7660, ext. 315.

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2021

Trial

Gardens F

or over 20 years, the University of Guelph’s Trial Garden Program has provided valuable feedback to plant breeders and the horticultural industry on the performance of new plant cultivars that have appeared in the trials. These new plants are evaluated on their uniqueness, hardiness, disease, and drought tolerance as well as overall performance in the landscape and/or containers. This spring, Landscape Ontario magazine went behind-the-scenes with Trial Garden Manager, Rodger Tschanz to see how the plants are prepared for plating at the various sites.

Plants are trialed at several sites: Landscape Ontario (Milton), the Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington), and at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) in Guelph. This year, the GTI and the Guelph Trial Garden have moved to their new location on College Ave. adjacent to the University of Guelph’s Arboretum.

The main open house will be held Thu., August 12, 2021, at Landscape Ontario, where visitors can expect to see trials of annuals, perennials, edibles, containers, plus the return of the pollinator trial.

An open house will also be scheduled for the new GTI site on August 13.

Watch for full details and online registration at HortTrades.com/event and on Landscape Ontario’s social media channels.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Plants destined for the trial garden sites are first propagated by seed and cared for at the University of Guelph, then hardened off outside under shade before planting.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

L A N D S C A P E O N TA R I O ’ S

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C O N T I N U E S F O R 2 02 1 - 2 02 2 Landscape Ontario’s GROW Program announced the renewal of funding for the New Entrant, Incumbent Worker and Employers of Choice training programs launched in 2020.

“GROW’s success is due in large part to the incredible support of professionals throughout the landscape and horticultural sector,” said GROW Workforce Development Program Manager Amanda Laszcz. “We are excited to continue our work to expand, enhance and promote the industry’s workforce and employers.”

LO’s GROW Program seeks to develop, advance and promote Ontario’s landscape and horticultural profession by providing specialized training to the sector’s workers and firms. GROW training programs support new workers looking to launch green careers, current professionals seeking to expand their skills, and employers striving to enhance their ability to attract and retain talented staff.

The GROW Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. GROW provides training at no cost to eligible participants within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and the Kawartha/Muskoka region.

GROW Program goals:

● Develop the sector’s workforce by attracting and training entry-level workers and enhancing the skills of current professionals; ● Advance the ability of sector employers to attract, recruit and retain a dedicated team of exceptional staff; ● Promote the broad range of opportunities offered by Ontario’s landscape and horticultural sector.

New Entrant Training Program

The GROW Program is working to expand the landscape and horticulture workforce by training new entrant workers and promoting entry-level opportunities with employers.

The New Entrant Training Program

program prepares eligible participants for entry-level positions in the landscape and horticultural sector. The six-week training program includes four weeks of skills training followed by a paid two-week workplace trial intended to lead to ongoing employment.

The program welcomed their first training group on June 7 and will add a new cohort of participants regularly until October.

Employers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area can apply now to to be part of the GROW: New Entrant Worker Job Bank Eligible Job Bank employers receive:

● Exclusive access to program graduates seeking entry-level positions. ● Free company profile page. ● Unlimited entry-level job postings.

Later this year, employers in the Muskoka/ Kawartha Region will also be eligible to apply to the Job Bank.

Incumbent Worker Training Program

Nominations are now open for the GROW: Incumbent Worker Training Program. The program helps employers strengthen the contributions of their existing workforce by helping their candidates reach their full potential within the organization.

All training is provided free of charge.

Candidates must be nominated by their employers before the close of nomination this August.

Eligible employers may nominate up to two candidates with the potential for advancement within their organization. Each successful candidate receives an Individual Training Plan, developed in coordination with their employer. Plans include a budget for supplemental training and certifications.

All candidates also receive the GROW: Foundational Supervisory Skills Training and Advanced Workplace Health & Safety Compliance Training.

For more information on the program

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including eligibility requirements please visit growoutdoors.ca/IWTP.

Employers of Choice

The GROW Program is committed to helping all sector employers expand their organizations and establish professional connections to foster a spirit of continuous improvement.

The Employers of Choice Program enhances the ability of sector employers to attract, recruit and retain a dedicated team of exceptional staff. Training is delivered online.

Eligible employers spend an average of two hours per week attending virtual instruction sessions and receiving one-on-one coaching and learning support.

This year, Employers of Choice is launching a new forum, open to employers who have graduated from the program. This confidential forum allows employers and managers to trade best practices and seek advice from one-another as well as from GROW Program Instructors.

For more information on this program or to apply on behalf of your company please visit: growoutdoors.ca/EOC. “Thanks to SkillsAdvance Ontario funding, Landscape Ontario is pleased to have this opportunity to develop a program that takes a unique approach in terms of training new workers, upskilling current workers and helping employers to improve human resource practices,” said Sally Harvey, Landscape Ontario’s Director of Education & Workforce Development. The program is intended to develop a workforce of choice, who are employed by Employers of Choice, so that we can continue to grow as a sector and meet consumer demand.”

To learn more about the GROW training programs, please visit the GROW Program website at growoutdoors.ca.

Members Helping Members 2022 MEMBER BENEFITS

Members Helping Members YOUR LANDSCAPE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dave Wright: President Lindsay Drake Nightingale: 1st Vice President Ed Hansen: 2nd Vice President Warren Patterson: Past President Lindsey Ross: Treasurer Paul Brydges: CNLA Representative Jeff Olsen: Member At Large Blake Tubby: Member At Large

CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES

Christopher Muller: Durham Margot Byers: Georgian Lakelands Tim Cruikshanks: Golden Horseshoe Pam Cook: London Steve Neumann: Ottawa Jon Durzi: Toronto Terry Childs: Upper Canada Jason Dietrich: Waterloo Jay Terryberry: Windsor

SECTOR GROUP REPRESENTATIVES

Kelly Keates: Designers Michael Van Dongen: Garden Centres Brad Paton: Grounds Management Andrew Barbour: Growers Steve Macartney: Irrigation Peter Guinane: Contractors Jamie Riddell: Lighting Jon Agg: Snow and Ice Alan White: Turf

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS

Jon Agg: Durham Teresa Matamoros: Georgian Lakelands Andrew Barz: Golden Horseshoe Cindy Buelow: London David Milne: Toronto Tyler Owen: Ottawa Lisa Smith: Upper Canada Trevor Garner: Waterloo Jay Terryberry: Windsor

SECTOR GROUP CHAIRS

Joseph Morello: Contractors Haig Seferian: Designers Michael Van Dongen: Garden Centres Brad Paton: Grounds Management Andrew Barbour: Growers Chris Le Conte: Irrigation Carl Hastings: Lighting Terry Nicholson: Snow and Ice Gavin Dawson: Turf Management

+OVER 200 SUPPORTING MEMBERS!

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO COVID-19 TASK FORCE Alan White (Chair), Turf Systems Dave Wright, Wright Landscape Services Jamie Riddell, SiteOne Landscape Supply Jeff Olsen, Brookdale Treeland Nurseries Peter Guinane, Oriole Landscaping Jon Durzi, Miller Compost Margot Byers, Ladybird Garden Design Terry Childs, Nature’s Way Landscape Lindsey Ross, Living Green Landscaping Landscape Ontario staff: Tony DiGiovanni, Joe Salemi, Heather MacRae, Sally Harvey, Scott Barber

DON’T LET YOUR

GUARD

DOWN

TIMELINE OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: March 20 LO’s COVID-19 Task Force is created March 12, 2020 City of Toronto shuts down all large gatherings

Apr. 1 First COVID-19 Town Hall held

Apr. 7 Don’t Let Your Guard Down campaign launched

March 24 All non-essential businesses closed

MAKING STRIDES WITH ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Professional Development & Certifications at LO. Peer 2 Peer Upcoming Virtual Sessions/ All Chapter Virtual meetings Series Fall 2021.

LO Congress/ Town Halls All Resources of previously aired webinars, Town Halls and some virtual sessions are available on our YouTube Channel for your convenience. Make sure to hit “Subscribe” to stay updated on all content and video resources.

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER!

Impact the direction of your local chapter and sector events by joining your Chapter Board or Sector Group. Reach out to membership@LandscapeOntario.com to learn how you can be involved.

DUES RENEWAL NOTICE

Your Landscape Ontario Membership renews on Sept. 1. We are currently upgrading our systems so your renewal notice may look a little different this year, but we’re working to make your membership renewal experience quick and easy.

GARDEN MAKEOVERS: MEMBERS HELPING FRONTLINE WORKERS Last summer, Landscape Ontario launched the Garden Makeover Program as a way to recognize the dedication of frontline workers across the province. The association received over 1,000 nominations from friends, neighbours, patients and family members, who each shared incredible stories of selflessness, devotion and compassion.

Landscape Ontario’s COVID-19 Task Force and each Chapter Board worked together to select garden makeover recipients: nine $5,000 projects (one for each chapter) and

Apr. 28 Landscape pros added to Essential Services list and allowed to work

Nov. 20 Upper Canada Chapter completes first garden makeover

one $25,000 province-wide winner.

In the fall of 2020, the Durham and Upper Canada Chapters each completed projects for deserving health care workers. This spring, Windsor Chapter came together to create a beautiful new backyard for a wonderful young family in Amherstburg, Ont. Now, planning is underway for projects in the remaining six chapters, as well as for the grand prize recipient in Georgina, Ont. Want to join the garden makeover team?

Sign up at www.landscapeontario.com/hero.

Nov. 20 Durham Chapter garden makeover

2020-2021 MILESTONES 30+ Free wbinarss All-Chapter virtual meeting 3 sessions

56 Pro Dev online sessions

226 Awards of Excellence winners (over 100+ entries)

510 new members in current fiscal year

10,000 followers achieved on LO Instagram account

Dec. 22 LO COVID Task Force holds 99th meeting in 9 months Feb. 25 COVID-19 Task Force hosts 2021 economic forecast webinar

Apr. 7 Landscape pros remain Essential Workers during 3rd wave of the pandemic

140+ TASK FORCE MEETINGS

Apr. 24 Windsor Chapter completes frontline garden makeover

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING COMMITTEE

Ed Hansen (Chair) Members: Jon Agg, Terry Childs, Lindsay Drake Nightingale, Peter Guinane, Rohan Harrison, Kelly Keates, Janet Mott Staff Reps: Kaneisha De Leon (Secretary), Adele Bedard, Joe Salemi, Christy Sebastian STATEMENT OF INCLUSIVITY:

“Landscape Ontario is a not for profit, volunteer-driven trade association. Dedicated to the advancement of the landscape/ horticultural profession. We strive to ensure that we are a collaborative and inclusive organization where people of all genders, races, religions, nationalities, cultures, sexual orientations, languages, and abilities are welcomed and can feel comfortable, respected, and valued.”

Learning & Networking Online Learning member pricing available

Professional development member pricing available

PEER To PEER NETWORK free business help and advice

Chapter and sector Boards help shape the direction of your profession

Congress trade show & conferences source equipment, products & Services and learn from leaders and experts

Industry leading publications Keeping you informed

Promoting your MemberSHIP STATUS Don’t Let your Guard Down decals show your commitment to safety

Member decals promote professionalism

Awards of Excellence Program a marketing advantage and boost for your team

MEMBER CERTIFICATE (ELECTRONIC)

2022 2021

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Why hire a member and tips for success via landscapeontario.com On ape tario sc

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DAVE WRIGHT, President

MORE BENEFITS Cost Savings Program save thousands on equipment & everyday business expenses

BE A PART OF THE LO COMMUNITY ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSION & YOUR BUSINESS

SCHOlARSHIPS & research funding for a brighter future

See what’s NEW at LO HORTTRADES.COM & LO ENEWS

A MESSAGE FROM DAVE WRIGHT, LO PRESIDENT

“I was born into the landscape profession and I don’t know anything but being a member of Landscape Ontario. It’s easy to take all the member benefits for granted. As a business owner, you can feel very much alone at the top. I believe the biggest benefit of being an LO member is that you are never alone. There is an entire network of owners you can call and talk through an idea or problem. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a competitor, you call someone in the next chapter. We are an association that strives to build each other up. The networking opportunities are endless and you get to be part of building something bigger than you. Join us and we will help you build your own legacy while you share in LO’s.”

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

ASSOCIATION NEWS

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE HAS A CATEGORY FOR ANY SIZE PROJECT

Open to all Active members of Landscape Ontario (Member, Professional Member, Certified Professional Member, and SoleProprietor Member), the association’s annual Awards of Excellence program continues to evolve with the talents, innovations and creativity of landscape and horticulture professionals.

In 2021, an Awards of Excellence Review Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the various award categories, requirements and scoring procedures. Made up of experienced and well-respected LO members from a variety of industry sectors, the committee’s recommendations were recently approved by the association’s Provincial Board of Directors.

New top awards

A number of changes to the 2022 Awards of Excellence program include:

● A stronger emphasis on environmental restoration and sustainable practices. The highest scoring of these projects will be awarded the Horst Dickert Award. ● Entries in the Design program will have new requirements phased in over the next three years to better align with the National Awards of Landscape Excellence.

The highest scoring of these entries will be awarded the new Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Award for overall excellence in

landscape design and go on to represent Ontario at the National Awards. ● The Website awards category will move from website design only to social media campaigns.

New categories

With nearly 50 different categories in the Construction, Maintenance and Design program alone, the LO Awards of Excellence has a multitude of categories that cover any and all types of projects. Whether it’s a small build or design, a unique or stand-alone element, or a multi-million dollar commercial contract, the categories are continually evolving to match the diversity, disciplines and specialities of Landscape Ontario members.

Green Stamp Award

In 2021, the Green Stamp Award was introduced for construction projects that exemplify green practices such as permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, etc. Moving forward, there will be a heavier focus on Green Stamp eligibility across all categories.

Boost your team and elevate your profession

Eligible member companies are encouraged to participate to take advantage of the many

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benefits that come with winning an award.

Not only does winning an award validate the professionalism, creativity, technical skill and talent of you and your team, it also helps to recognize the hard work and dedication of your team to create a team building experience that can give your company culture a boost. Being an award winning company gives peace of mind to potential clients, subcontractors and suppliers, and can be used as a great marketing tool.

Recognition is what the Awards of Excellence are all about. All winners will be announced during a live-stream online event in early 2022 that is attended by members, industry supporters and media. Winners are also listed in Landscape Ontario magazine, on LandscapecapeOntario.com and showcased through LO’s popular social media channels.

The awards program is designed to collectively showcase and elevate the profile of the profession. Be a part of that initiative by participating in the Awards of Excellence program.

Enter online now

Entries for the 2022 Awards of Excellence (Construction, Maintenance, Design, Lighting, Irrigation and Interior Plantscaping) programs opened online July 1, 2021. The online entry system has been upgraded this year to allow video footage

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO of projects to be uploaded, plus social media tags to better recognize suppliers and winners to a wider audience.

Shane Jones recognized with national award

Grower and Garden Centre Programs

Entries for the Garden Centre Program are open online from July 1 to Oct. 1 and this year’s Growers Awards, typically held at the Growers’ Industry Auction, are postponed due to public health regulations regarding COVID-19.

For a full list of categories, judges scoring sheets, tips for online entry, past winners, or to enter, visit LOawards.com.

ONLINE ENTRY

OPEN

JULY 1

Shane Jones, faculty member in the School of Hospitality & Horticultural Science and program co-ordinator for the Food and Farming and Horticulture Technician programs at Durham College in Oshawa, Ont., was recently honoured with a Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Silver Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty.

Jones has been the driving force behind the complete integration of the farm and horticulture production with curriculum, resulting in an immersive learning experience for students and thousands of pounds of food from the fields per year. Jones takes great pride in his work and is always willing to lead where needed to ensure the success of his students and colleagues.

Passionate about teaching and constantly looking to support and enhance the student experience, Jones incorporates hands-on learning in everything he does. Whether mentoring participants or volunteering as a judge in Skills Ontario competitions or guiding teams through installations at trade shows, he generously gives his time and energy.

Whether teaching and mentoring students in class, during labs or out in the centre’s urban farm, Jones has played a vital role in shaping the college’s horticulture and food and farming programs, as well as developing its living landscape.

Landscape Ontario and Durham College would like to congratulate Shane on his award.

The CICan Awards of Excellence recognize best practices from more than 135 colleges and institutes across the country, as well as individual leadership and achievements. For more information on this year’s awards, please visit the CICan website at awards.collegesinstitutes.ca.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

In Memoriam — Bill Putzer Bill Putzer quietly took his leave on May 26, 2021 with sister Heidi by his side.

Bill was a farm boy — well-respected and well-regarded by many and true to his beliefs. To Bill, family and friends were paramount. He cared for his parents (Maria who passed Nov. 27, 2017, and John who passed Dec. 25, 2015) devotedly for 15 years, extending both their lives.

Together with his parents, Bill established M. Putzer Hornby Nursery Ltd. — a producer of some of the finest nursery stock in southern Ontario.

Over the years, Bill’s trees have found permanent homes throughout Canada, the United States, Denmark, Ukraine and mainland China.

Bill was a quiet leader and his co-workers excelled under his mentorship and guidance. He was a very good man to work with and for. He always had a smile and a warm and gentle presence. You could

always count on him to listen, to be calm, respectful, and to be kind. Bill was touched by the efforts of his workers to take the nursery through the spring rush while he lay in the hospital. Bill valued the magnitude of the gift they gave him.

Bill was a scuba diver and loved exploring the world under the sea. He travelled to many unique places: Yap. Palau, Papua New Guinea, The Caribbean, Rotan, Cocos Island, CMYK

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and many other places around the world.

Bill was equally at home with people from all walks of life. Bill was no stranger to adversity; he faced many challenges and faced them all with dignity and honor right to the very end.

Gone before him were his beloved parents; Maria Ottilie Putzer (nee Etzel) on Nov. 27, 2017 and his father John Hans Putzer on Dec. 25, 2015. Bill leaves behind his sister Heidi, brotherin-law Leno Mori and nephews Owen and Connor Mori. Bill is survived by his uncle Walter and Aunt Marianne Putzer, his Aunt Yvonne, widow of the late Paul Putzer and his aunt Gemma Knoll of Salzburg, Austria.

Bill’s loving gentle presence will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Donations in memory of Bill may be made to Food for Life, Burlington, Ont., or to a charity of your choice.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Live Congress trade show to return in 2022 Congress Redefined, Landscape Ontario’s in-person trade show, is scheduled for January 11-13, 2022 at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto, Ont. The event will mark the first gathering of landscape and horticulture professions in two years.

Congress Refined promises to be a cutting edge experience that starts with Expo FP — a new online platform that includes an interactive floorplan and full exhibitor list, where show attendees can get a sneak peak at exhibitors they plan to connect with at the show. The event will include over 500 exhibitors, many of whom have already booked space or have space on hold.

“Every exhibitor has the opportunity to upload video, images, products and a description of their company, so attendees can get a sneak peak before attending the event,” says Heather MacRae, Show Manager. “It’s like two worlds have finally collided and companies come to life on the floor plan.”

All of the suppliers who help to produce

the event have proven safety protocols and practices already in place, and the Toronto Congress Centre was the first facility to earn a gold star for cleanliness. Landscape Ontario’s show team has been working closely with colleagues at the Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM), who have also been working closely with the provincial government to develop and implement health and safety guidelines.

“It’s not even up to use when it comes to making most of the decisions,” adds MacRae. “It’s our alliance of partners who are really working to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”

Congress Redefined will include a dedicated area for the LIVE series of free educational demos, plus a new format for the popular New Products Showcase.

The 2022 edition of the Congress Visitors to Congress Redefined will be able to view exhibitor info online prior to the event that may include products, videos and images.

Jan 11-13, 2022

Jan 18-20, 2022

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO and so too will the Landscape Designers Conference on Jan. 25.

Online registration for Congress Redefined and the various educational conferences will open in mid-September.

Landscape Ontario members get free trade show passes and special conference pricing. For exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, please contact showinfo@ landscapeontario.com and watch for more details at CongressRedefined.com.

Conference will be a separate, online event held Jan. 18-20 via Zoom webinars, allowing those who attend the live event to focus on connecting with exhibitors. Again this year, conference attendees will have the ability to watch all sessions on-demand throughout the year — a popular feature of the online format that began in 2021.

In addition to the virtual conference, the annual IPM Symposium will remain an online event, scheduled for Jan. 6,

IN-PERSON

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Landscape Ontario’s in-person professional development kicks off with a two-day, hands-on chainsaw seminar on Aug. 26-27 and Sept.

16-17, plus Winterizing a Residential Irrigation System on Sept. 28.

Class sizes are limited due to provincial health regulations.

Register now at HortTrades.com/seminars and watch for LO’s full lineup of seminars in the October issue of LO magazine.

In Memoriam — Stan Gorczyca Stanislaw Gorczyca, owner of Tidy Garden Landscaping in Mississauga, Ont., passed away peacefully, on May 16, 2021 at Trillium Health PartnersMississauga, at the age of 63.

Beloved husband of Bogda for 18 years, loving father of Paulina and Patricia.

A private service has been held.

For those who wish, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Master water features with Randy Tumber Landscape Ontario has partnered with Randy Tumber, APLD, CLD, CHT, to offer a four-part video series on designing and building natural looking water features that are effectively integrated into the landscape.

The Water Feature Master Class is a series of four pre-recorded YouTube videos that provide the technical expertise to take designs beyond the visual to an emotional level.

Lesson one looks at Design Principles and Elements that apply to all scales of projects. Lesson two focuses on construction and how to choose the right elements for beauty and functionality, and how to understand what order to build for efficiency and success. Lesson three teaches how to select the correct size, type, shape and character of rock, and the importance of safety in working with rocks. Liners and leaks are covered in lesson four, including how to troubleshoot to avoid problems.

Participation in each lesson will qualify each participant for one CEU/CEC with

A four-part video series is available as individual lessons or as a complete bundle.

the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA).

Each lesson is available for $195 or all four can be purchased for $595. Once registered participants will be sent the pre-

recorded video links.

For more details, or to register, visit HortTrades.com/seminars or search for master class on the website. Individual course codes are: OL055, OL056, OL057, OL058 and OL059.

GARDEN CENTRE

Program

Details at:

OPEN FOR ENTRY!

LOawards.com

July 1st to October 1st, 2021

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

GMC provides new vehicle for tree planting campaign

Snowposium goes virtual this September Snowposium, Landscape Ontario’s annual snow and ice conference will return in a virtual format Sept. 16, 2021. Produced by the association’s Snow and Ice Management Sector Group, the virtual event will feature a full-day conference and a product showcase with videos and information.

Snow and ice contractors, municipal snow and ice managers, commercial and multiresidential property managers, technical staff and business owners and managers should attend to hear the latest information on important issues, including: insurance claims, government relations, CSA Standards, new strategies, slip and fall defence strategies, Smart About Salt accreditation, and more.

Stay tuned to LO Enews and visit Snowposium.ca for the latest registration and event information.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or the online product showcase, please contact Keri MacIvor at 647-723-5445 or email keri@landscapeontario.com.

General Motors of Canada generously donated the use of a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali 4x4 Duramax diesel truck to the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute’s campaign to plant 117,000 trees — one for every Canadian Soldiers lost in the line of duty. Valued at $95,000 plus taxes, the vehicle is fully decaled and will be replaced yearly with a new model truck for each year the sponsorship is renewed. The vehicle is sponsored

by GM Defense — the military product division that focuses on the defense industry needs with hydrogen fuel cell and other advanced technologies.

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE

Chadwick Lewis takes advantage of a great opportunity

“ So I stepped away from all of that office work, and left the city to go and maintain our estate in the countryside.”

— Chadwick Lewis

Chadwick Lewis, a recent horticulture industries graduate from Algonquin College, never grew up thinking he’d have a green career.

Originally from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, Lewis spent his early years working in sales and customer service.

While his family owned farmland, he only became heavily invested in the industry after the passing of his uncle.

“Before [he passed], my uncle started a little kitchen garden for my mom,” remembers Lewis. “At some point, my mom mentioned something about the garden not looking good, how she wishes he was still here, and then it clicked.”

Lewis began maintaining the garden and quickly fell in love with plants — growing them, learning about them and making them beautiful.

“I decided that this is what I want to do.

So I stepped away from all of that office work, and left the city to go and maintain our estate in the countryside,” says Lewis.

“And since I was doing this, I wanted to make sure I was doing it properly.”

In preparation he got his farmer’s certification, bought a truck, bought land and at one point quit his job to pursue a future in horticulture. While he learned a lot — and more importantly grew to understand how the industry worked, he couldn’t help but feel like something was still missing.

“I had visited Canada many times — my dad lives there — so I was familiar with Algonquin [College] and I knew they had a horticulture program,” explains Lewis.

“I figured, let me go there and see how it goes.”

A broad discipline that encompasses multiple streams, the horticulture industries program is an intensive one that exposes students to a wide variety of educational topics and potential careers.

“You get to work through the summer, so it’s constantly go, go, go. It really strengthens your character and builds a camaraderieship with the people who make it through the entire thing. It’s unshakeable,” says Lewis. “And although I had to do the leg work, it really was the lecturers at Algonquin that pointed me in the right direction. So, it’s a wonderful program and this is a beautiful industry in my opinion.”

The broad nature of Lewis’s studies is what enabled him to find his passion.

While he began in hardscaping, due to his exposure to every corner in the horticulture industry, he pivoted toward plants.

Currently, he works at a local community farm, Just Food Ottawa Community Garden, and runs a small urban farm and greenhouse partnership business, Green’s Creek Organic Nursery.

Looking back on his journey, Lewis admits he never had a clear cut plan.

Instead, he urges people to simply be productive, stay patient and take hold of the opportunities that come their way.

“It started with my uncle, my mom missing him and the garden being there,” says Lewis. “Then it blossomed into me pulling at the thread: keep pulling, keep pulling, until something works out.”

Scholarship application extended to July 31, 2021 Students enrolled in landscape and horticulture programs can apply for various scholarships under the Foundation and Cullen Family Scholarship programs.

APPLY AT OHTF.CA/SCHOLARSHIP-AND-BURSARY

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

EDUCATOR PROFILE

Lorne Haveruk on the importance of always giving 120 per cent taught over 400 irrigation companies and countless students through Landscape Ontario’s school of irrigation (part of the association’s annual Professional Development Seminar Series).

“It’s an intense program [at Landscape Ontario]. You get to hear about it, touch the products and then go to the greenhouse — build it, tear it apart, build it again, troubleshoot it and everything,” explains Haveruk. “By the end [students] will walk out having so much knowledge that their head will hurt.”

Haveruk hopes to provide students with a robust understanding of water systems and products in a concise and cohesive manner. As a Certified Irrigation Designer, irrigation contractor, landscape irrigation auditor, golf irrigation auditor, auditor practitioner for California and Nevada and lead associate, he certainly practices what he preaches “When I want something, I go 120 per cent,” says Haveruk.

“Do what you’re passionate about — that’s what I tell other people. It’s the most important thing because ultimately, it’s what makes you get out of bed on a Monday morning.”

For those looking to enter the field, Haveruk believes the easiest way to learn about irrigation, or whatever they’re interested in, is to get involved. He urges others to jump into the working world but also supplement their learning with classes and conferences that can help with networking and professional development.

“The school of irrigation is pretty amazing,” says Haveruk.

“I’m really proud of the fact that I’ve been able to help, teach and point people in the right direction.”

A trip to Palm Springs, California completely changed the trajectory of Lorne Haveruk’s life.

“I was sitting with my wife in California, where it’s very dry, just having a little drink and watching the sunset,” reminisces the Principal of the Toronto, Ont.-based Diamond Head Water Management Services.

“Then, up pops a sprinkler head out of the lawn, does it’s watering and drops back down. My wife looked at me and said ‘wow that’s amazing, you should do that up in Toronto.’”

And so, he did. After months of research, Haveruk decided to start Diamond Head Sprinklers, in 1989. Before that, he had been an avid member of the ski industry and developed a strong understanding of snow making, water, pumps, electrical, plumbing and distribution — the building blocks for his business.

As he developed the company, Haveruk quickly realized freshwater for future generations would become a pressing issue.

“That’s why I started Diamond Head Water Management Services two years later in 1991,” says Haveruk. “The idea was to help teach people how to use water properly. That’s my biggest thing: don’t waste water.”

He started by teaching his own staff. Since then, Haveruk has

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PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Canada Blooms celebrates 25th anniversary with a special-edition magazine partners who spent the previous three years dreaming and planning Canada's largest indoor flower and garden show.

This year would have been the 25th festival, however it was put on hold due to public health restrictions.

On their website, organizers stated, "Our festival may be on hold this year, but that hasn’t stopped us from starting to plan for next year — which will now be our 25th.

This way, we still get to have a celebration, and when we finally get to see each other again, we will be ready to party!"

"We would like to thank all the staff, volunteers and partners who worked hard to create our world-class garden festival for 25 years and we look forward to the next 25."

The publication can be viewed online at CanadaBlooms.com.

Organizers of the Canada Blooms Flower and Garden Festival took a walk down memory lane and produced a special edition, 25th anniversary magazine released this spring in a digital format.

The 92-page magazine includes the theme and a highlight from each year of the festival, plus a few gardening tips and tricks from experts who have supported Canada Blooms throughout the years.

The magazine also pays tribute to the many committee members, volunteers, participants and celebrities who have helped the festival to grow and succeed through their passion for plants, flowers, gardens and outdoor living.

The inaugural show in 1997 commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Garden Club of Toronto and the 25th anniversary of Landscape Ontario — the two

USDA closes border to boxwood shipments from Canada On May 26, the United States Department of Agriculture imposed a federal order prohibiting the importation of all Buxus, Ilex, and Euonymus spp. plants from anywhere in Canada until further notice. The restriction was put in place to prevent introduction of box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) into the United States.

A Eurasian native moth whose larvae defoliate Boxwood, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) verified the first discovery of box tree moth in an urban Toronto neighbourhood back in August 2018.

A Box Tree Moth Industry Working Group comprised of nursery growers, retailers, researchers and government agencies was quickly formed and began a surveillance and spray control program,

as well as a public education program to contain the newly discovered pest to a containment area.

More recently the pest was discovered at a nursery in St. Catharines, Ont., and CFIA subsequently indicated the pest may be present in the surrounding area.

Prior to the federal order, shipments from Canada were required to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate and an additional declaration stating the shipment has been officially inspected and found to be free of box tree moth, or produced in a facility or area officially recognized by CFIA. Box tree moth symptoms include green-black frass and silk threads on the host plant. Larvae feeding on leaves and bark can lead to the death of the plants.

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Box tree moth best management practices for growers Landscape Ontario’s Box Tree Moth Industry Working Group recently released the Box Tree Moth Best Management Practices (BMPs), a Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI) approved document that supports the long term trade of buxus, ilex and euonymus plants, while minimizing introduction and spread of box tree moth.

Developed in collaboration with nursery growers, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the University of Guelph, the BMPs will continue to evolve as those involved learn more about the science of the pest as well as the regulatory frameworks in both Canada and the United States.

All facilities with host plants in production are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations provided in the BMPs. The BMPs as well as many other resources regarding box tree moth can be found online at HortTrades.com/box-tree-moth.

Vineland releases Aurora Borealis rose The latest addition to Vineland’s popular 49th Parallel Collection of roses is giving Canadians another option to buy local this spring. Aurora Borealis has been officially released by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and is now widely available at garden centres across Canada.

Aurora Borealis is a dramatic, sunset pink rose with glossy, dark green foliage inspired by the brilliant contrasting colours of Canada’s northern lights. It belongs to a collection of roses bred specifically for Canadian climate conditions — tolerant of cold weather and able to thrive almost anywhere in the country.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Canada’s 150th birthday. It was joined in 2019 by the coral-coloured Chinook Sunrise and the collection will expand again in 2023 with a yellow rose called Yukon Sun. Roses in the collection are known for being low maintenance, black spot tolerant and able to withstand temperatures down to -40 C. Vineland’s 49th Parallel Collection

is the product of Canada’s national rose breeding program at Vineland in collaboration with the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and selections have been tested in field trials across the country.

More information on Aurora Borealis, including where to purchase it and the entire collection is available at 49throses.com.

Aurora Borealis

“As Canadians continue to embrace home gardening in response to the COVID19 pandemic, we’re excited to bring a new, made-in-Canada rose to the marketplace,” says Ian Potter, Vineland’s President and CEO. “For all of us spending more time at home these days, Aurora Borealis brings a unique Canadian flair to any outdoor living space.”

Vineland’s 49th Parallel Collection launched in 2017 with the bright red rose named Canadian Shield, timed to mark

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

Boost your bottom line while keeping your team safe

By Rod Cook Vice President, Workplace Health and Safety Services, WSIB WSIB gave back over $3.2 million in rebates this quarter through the Health and Safety Excellence program The list of things that make me happy is a long one: a walk with my wife and our girls, the sound of a distant lawnmower on a warm afternoon… it goes on. This summer though, I have a new item to add to that list: on June 2, the WSIB released the largest quarterly rebate payout since the launch of our Health and Safety Excellence program. $3.2 million in rebates was earned by over 200 businesses this quarter — we’ve paid out a total of $6.2 million in rebates since we started the program in the fall of 2019. And we want to help people earn even more.

The road to workplace safety

It’s not just the rebates and giving money back to Ontario businesses that makes me happy, though. It’s the knowledge that people are taking the time and making the effort to improve workplace safety.

It’s understanding that the people who are employees and customers of those

businesses are that much safer. And it’s the opportunity those businesses across Ontario have to reinvest their rebates into making workplaces safer.

How we can get you there

When you join our program, dedicated health and safety providers will help you identify gaps in your workplace safety plan and safety culture, and then work with you to figure out which program topics will help you fill those gaps.

You’ll have almost a full year to learn about a topic and figure out how to incorporate it into your business’s everyday operations. For example, if you haven’t had a chance to create a way to identify, categorize and manage hazards in your workplace, our program can help as you build a process and tools that address the specific needs of your business.

Once you’ve completed your health and safety topic, you’ll simply show us the work you’ve done to make your business healthier and safer, and then you’ll start earning your WSIB premium rebate.

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Making Ontario safer

I feel happy and privileged to be part of the Health and Safety Excellence program team. I get to see how the program helps businesses make meaningful changes to their safety systems — something that makes me so proud.

From construction companies, to bakeries, to landscapers, our members include businesses of all sizes and across all industries with one common goal — to keep their team safe and save money while doing it.

To learn more about the Health and Safety Excellence program and to join the businesses keeping people safe while saving money, sign up for an info session or email healthandsafetyexcellence@wsib.on.ca.

Skills Canada announces 2021 landscape design competition winners On May 5 2021, secondary school students from across Ontario participated in the Skills Ontario Landscape Design virtual competition to showcase their incredible talent.

Students were given a base plan for a residential property and a client wish list and were tasked with creating a landscape design that met the needs of both the site and client. All competitors did a fantastic job and should be extremely proud.

Landscape Ontario would like to recognize the following students who won bronze, silver and gold at the competition: Gold: Veronica Kawa, Halton

Catholic District School Board Silver: Amber Walmsley, Waterloo

Region District School Board Bronze: Estelle Hyun, York Region

District School Board All medallists and their school programs will receive a financial reward from the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation.

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

In Memoriam — Cornelia Hahn Oberlander

Courtesy The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Canadian landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander passed away May 22, 2021 at her home in Vancouver, B.C. She was 99 years-old.

Born June 20, 1921 in Mülheim, Germany, Oberlander and her husband settled in Vancouver where she established her landscape architecture practice in 1953. A landscape architecture icon, Oberlander revolutionized outdoor urban play spaces and helped clear a path for women in the profession. She left her mark on many projects throughout Vancouver and around the world, including the VanDusen Botanical Garden visitor centre and a tranquil garden at Vancouver General Hospital.

A Fellow of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Oberlander received the inaugural Governor General’s Medal in Landscape Architecture from the CSLA in 2016 and the ASLA Medal four year prior. Also in 2016, she was admitted to the Order of British Columbia.

and enjoying some of the planet’s finest flower gardens.

Jim’s passion working in the media however did not diminish and the segue of time and experience brought Jim to Conestoga College as a Professor teaching Media Broadcasting until a full and enjoyed retirement ensued.

Jim and his wife Lorraine visited a lot of places, did a lot of things, and met many people and made many friends. They were

invited to and attended the Queens Garden Show at Buckingham Palace. He gained a vast amount of knowledge and shared it when he could, and from his many stories, Jim and Lorraine lived a beautiful life.

He is survived by his daughter Linda Ann, his brother Jack of Kitchener and sister Marjorie Robinson of Huntsville. Jim was a husband, father, brother, a teacher, a mentor and a friend of many people and we will all miss him dearly.

Ontario makes it easier to report polluters The Ontario government is launching a new online tool so the public can conveniently report incidents of pollution in real-time from a smartphone. The new digital solution will allow photos and videos to be uploaded immediately, allowing Environmental Officers in 22 office to respond to urgent environmental issue 24 hours a day.

“Our government takes environmental violations very seriously and has zero tolerance for illegal polluters,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “With your help, we can hold polluters accountable and ensure compliance with the environmental laws we have in place to protect our air, land and water for generations to come.”

Members of the public can visit

ontario.ca/reportpollution and fill out a form to immediately report if:

● Pollution (solvents, oil, fuels or chemicals) on land, in the water or air. ● Industrial or commercial noise pollution. ● Waste being dumped into the natural environment. ● Improper disposal of commercial waste.

Using the tool, users can capture a wide range of information directly from the scene, including images, audio and video. They will also have the option of creating a secure login to receive real-time status updates on the incident after it has been reported.

Reporting can also be done by calling 1-800-MOE-TIPS or through contacting the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

In Memoriam — James St. Marie James Anthony St. Marie passed away peacefully in Burlington, Ont., on March 24, 2021 at the age of 91.

Born May 3, 1929, Jim is predeceased by his wife Lorraine Grace St. Marie nee Leith (Aug. 8, 2011) and son T. Paul Ste. Marie (May 31, 2007).

After attending university, Jim chose a career in media and worked in Toronto at the CBC as floor producer where he went on to produce the Earl Cox Gardening Show. The show peaked Jim’s interest in horticulture and prompted him into writing a garden column for the Kitchener Record for many years. This also inspired Jim and his wife to travel the world — displaying

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EXECUTIVE DESK

O

Memories of Bill Putzer

n May 26, 2021, Bill Putzer passed away after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 63. Bill was the owner of M. Putzer Nursery, a well-respected supplier of top quality plants to the landscape profession.

Bill was hardworking, generous and humble. He was a quiet leader. Given that Putzer Nursery was so close to Landscape Ontario’s home office, we would always reach out to Bill when we needed help. He always obliged with a smile. He cared deeply about the association and its members, serving on LO Growers’ Group for many years.

When we first moved the office to the present Halton Hills site, Bill and his father John planted two rows of Bradford pear trees right at the entrance. We did not ask for them. They were a gift to their association family.

The trees are still thriving and will remain a pleasant and special memory of Bill and John. This gift was only the first of many. If we needed a machine to move trees around for Canada Blooms, we reached out to Bill. If we needed help with weeding the trial gardens, we knew who to call. When we wanted memorial trees to honour our pioneers, Bill quickly supplied them and would not once accept any payment. He told me memorial trees are priceless.

This generosity continued until the end. Three years ago when the office was being renovated we needed to remove rockery at the front of the building. David Turnbull, our property manager, reached out to Bill for a backhoe. Not only did Bill deliver the machine, he also operated it. Together Bill and David removed the rockery in record time, saving the association thousands of dollars. David told me they also had a lot of fun.

Here is an excerpt from Bill’s obituary that reflects his true nature: “Bill was a farm boy, a very good man and wellrespected and well regarded by many. He was true to his beliefs. To Bill, family and friends were paramount. He cared for his parents devotedly for 15 years, extending both their lives... Bill was a quiet leader. Bill’s co-workers excelled under his mentorship and guidance. He was a very good man to work with and for; he always had a smile, he had a warm and gentle presence and you could

Bill Putzer

always count on him to listen, to be calm and to be kind. Bill was touched by the efforts of his workers to take the nursery through the spring rush while he lay in the hospital. Bill valued the magnitude of the gift they gave him.

Bill was a scuba diver and he loved exploring the world under the sea. He travelled to many unique places: Yap, Palau, Papua New Guinea, The Caribbean, Rotan, Cocos Island and many other places around the world. Bill was equally at home with people from all walks of life. Bill was no stranger to adversity; he faced many challenges and faced them all with dignity and honour right to the very end.”

A few months ago, we heard that Bill was ill. David Turnbull and I went to visit him. He had just come back from chemotherapy and was feeling sick, yet he made time for us. I was struck by his courage and his acceptance of the terminal nature of his illness. We talked about his childhood.

It turns out that in the early 1960’s his family and my family lived in the same downtown Toronto neighbourhood. We both attended the same church. We were both altar boys.

One of my fondest memories of Bill was at his father’s funeral. I watched as he gently made sure that his frail mother was comfortable. He was a caring gentleman. His obituary said it best.

“Bill’s gentle presence will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.”

Tony DiGiovanni CHT LO Executive Director

tony@landscapeontario.com

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

MEMBERSHIP

L

From the comfort zone to the growth zone These systems (some of which are already up and running) will be in place in time for this year’s membership dues renewal.

Things may look a little different but it’s our plan to make sure that renewing your membership with Landscape Ontario is an easy and pleasant experience.

Membership dues will renew on Sept. 1 this year, so be on the lookout for emails coming your way. We’re all hard at work being out of our comfort zone as we implement all of these new software systems.

ife is full of opportunities to step outside your comfort zone, but grabbing hold of them can be difficult. Sometimes the problem is not being aware of reasons to do so. After all, if the feeling of comfort signifies our most basic needs are being met, why should we seek to abandon it? Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs triangle?

For many of us, it’s the realization that something needs to change that acts as a powerful incentive to leave our comfort zone.

What isn’t always clear is what it takes to come to that realization.

The will to improve, the necessity to change, the need for better circumstances. It takes this realization to initiate the transformation to affect change.

In my last article I wrote in-depth at developing a growth mindset. I referenced the shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. It’s this shift that is crucial to the process of leaving your comfort zone. It’s understanding that opportunities are all around us and that when we think in the way that many entrepreneurs do, it’s making the most of those opportunities when they present themselves.

Life isn’t exactly predictable and we all seem to get our share of adversity. How we are able to effectively deal with the adversity presented to us is often a decent indicator of how we will handle getting out of our comfort zone. We typically call this resilience. The term ‘antifragile’ was coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and refers to being able to learn and grow from the adversity we experience in our lives. Resilient people bounce back, but it’s those that are antifragile that don’t end up in the panic zone (or what I call the danger zone).

Deciding to step outside your comfort zone is difficult, but when you do, it is when you enter the growth zone. Tony Robbins said, “All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone.” Just like a seed planted in the spring, your growth needs to be watered, nurtured and provided with sunlight. In the growth zone, you can find your purpose, finally live the dreams you never thought you would, create a new vision of the future and set goals to reach that vision.

Something to stay on top of — growth doesn’t necessarily come from reaching goals; it’s more about the journey with the learning experiences along the way. A word to the wise though, the growth zone can easily become your new comfort zone, so keep moving and plan for what’s next. If you find yourself becoming complacent, take a step back and continue your journey toward continued growth.

After more than a decade, Landscape Ontario will be migrating all member data to a new system called Wicket. Wicket will allow us to connect best-in-class software like MailChimp for email marketing, Fusebill for our billing system, Pipedrive for our sales pipeline CRM, and Expo FP for our trade show floor plan software.

Joe Salemi CAE LO Deputy Executive Director jsalemi@landscapeontario.com

SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 9, 2021

NURSERY GROWERS & GARDEN CENTRE

VIRTUAL

TOWN HALL REGISTRATION HortTrades.com/event

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

UNDERGROUND WORLD

Underground results for 2020 are good and bad

tatistics on the number of underground utility hits in 2020 are mixed. While the province saw a 10 per cent drop in the overall number of hits, figures for the landscaping sector are up 12.4 per cent and a whopping 30.5 per cent for the fencing sector.

S

penalized or fined according to the law and we must also hold them accountable by maintaining a list of offenders and making it readily available so our industry can see who the culprits are. Lastly, we need to continue to educate contractors on Dig Safe practices.

Ontario results

Conclusion

You can help spread the word to other contractors about this important issue by joining the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) and participating in Safe Excavation Training programs. Watch for specific training sessions this fall.

In Table 1, It’s great to see a province-wide improvement over the last two years. This is excellent progress and could indicate excavators are calling for locates and digging safely. Homeowners still cause 17.3 per cent of all hits and with the cancellation of the National Home Show and Canada Blooms, we missed a golden opportunity to educate the public on this serious issue.

Terry Murphy CLM

Notifications

tvmurphy@ca.inter.net

When a locate request is received by ON1CALL, each utility that has underground assets on that property is notified, and are required to provide a locate so the excavating contractor can avoid damaging that underground asset. Some properties could have 10 or more utilities, so each notification represents an opportunity for a utility hit. Therefore, in comparing hits, we need to look at the number of actual hits compared to how many opportunities a contractor faces when digging. If the number of notifications are substantially down, it could mean hits may have been reduced, however, the performance may still be poor. The key measurement therefore must be Hits per Notification (Table 2). If this ratio is reduced from year to year, it means performance has improved.

The province had 6,227,727 total notifications in 2019 and 5,746,332 in 2020 (a reduction of 7.7 per cent). So if the number of chances to hit an underground utility in 2020 was 7.7 per cent less, and the reduction in utility hits was 7.6 per cent less, then there is not really any improvement. The actual number of hits were down in 2020, but so were the number of chances available to do damage.

TABLE 1

NUMBER OF UNDERGROUND UTILITY HITS SECTOR 2018 Ontario 5,371 Landscaping 341 Fencing 480 Homeowners 670

2019 4,940 353 375 567

2020 2 020/2019 4,566 -7.6% 397 +12.4% 488 +30.0% 791 +30.5%

% of Total 100% 8.7% 10.7% 17.3%

TABLE 2

HITS PER NOTIFICATION TOTAL PROVINCE Hits Notifications Hits per notification

Cause of damages

LANDSCAPE SECTOR Hits Notifications Hits per notification

The number one cause of underground utility hits/damages is that excavators do not call for locates. This has been consistent for the last five years. Contractors have crews ready to work but may not have locates because they are late or were not requested in the first place.

Therefore they take a chance and proceed to dig without locates. In addition, 43 per cent of hits are due to poor excavation practices.

2018 2019 2020 5,371 4,940 4,566 6,101,299 6,227,227 5,746,332 0.0008803 0.0007932 0.0007945

341 353 397 137,646 143,839 131,467 0.00248 0.00245 0.00302

FENCING SECTOR Hits 480 375 488 Notifications 59,468 58,749 59,135 Hits per notification 0.00807 0.00698 0.00825

Hits per notification comparison indicates the landscape sector is outperforming the fencing sector. In Ontario, the overall hits per 1,000 locates have reduced in three straight years.

Suggested solutions

I believe there are some actions that need to happen before we will substantially reduce the number of hits and the cost that comes with them. First, the industry has to solve the late locate problem.

Provincial law requires locates to be on the ground within fivedays, but some locators fail to comply. These companies should be

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

PROSPERITY PARTNERS

T

Thank you Landscape Ontario!

It was then I learned how valuable connections and mentorship are, not to mention the resources that helped build my network of industry professionals who are always willing to support me and answer my questions with honesty.

I’ve always been amazed and grateful for the way in which professionals like you are willing to share knowledge so that others can succeed and better the profession as a whole.

Having started as a clerk in a garden centre, who moved on to run a successful landscape company, then sold it to settle on becoming an industry business coach, I’m grateful for the thread of professional inspiration LO has weaved throughout the twists and turns of my career. I’m grateful to be a part of something bigger than what I alone can contribute. Something that has momentum, adapts to current reality, is nimble and forward thinking.

We have an amazing community for mutual benefit and improvement. We have amazing members. We are a “Landscape Nation” as the ED of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association once declared after I presented a professional development report to a meeting of the nine landscape associations bordering the Great Lakes. At the time, I was treasurer of LO and proud to realize that we were so much more active and stable than our American counterparts.

If there was ever a year that proved how our ‘Landscape Ontario Nation’ stands behind its members, leading tireless initiatives to keep us all informed, supported, compliant and connected, it’s the year just passed. I am grateful for each and every one of the LO staff. They are the glue that holds us together. They are second to none as a team of dedicated and creative collaborators. They have pivoted, adapted and soared through new technology and new ways of doing business — all for the benefit of members.

So, to our ‘LO Nation’ (members and staff alike), I’m grateful for you. You have supported my career success in countless ways. You have helped guide and support my friends and colleagues, you have shown true leadership in times of despair and trouble. Thank you.

And, if you’re not yet a member of LO’s Peer To Peer Network Member (it’s free with LO membership), you’re missing out on a huge added value program. Sign up today via signup.peer2peer@landscapeontario.com.

his month, I decided to take a look in the rear view mirror to explain the many benefits of membership in Landscape Ontario. Most recently, we have all benefited from the tireless work of LO’s COVID-19 Task Force and the staff team behind them. I’m sure there’s no doubt in your minds as to why you are, and will continue to be, a member of LO. The past 15 months have been challenging, stressful, and very frustrating. But what would that journey have been like without the support of the LO community? When I talk to business owners in other professions, I feel sorry for them because they don’t have an association like LO — armed with proactive resources, to guide them through the COVID maze.

When I reflect on the vast array of topics and resources discussed online in the past 15 months by LO Peer To Peer Network members, I realize this community is invaluable. Over that time, there’s been deep and sincere peer mentorship, peer support, and an incredible bond that continues to this day.

There are many business owners who need our support.

Peer Network members came together last spring twice each week for Zoom meetings in order to connect, see each other, hear advice from coaches, leaders, specialists and more. There were tears, frustration, and a “we can DO this — we’ve got each others’ backs” mentality. Many have made the time to thank me for making a space for them to stay connected and for facilitating hope in rough times. (They even nominated me for the LO Leadership Award. Thank you!)

Our network grew by almost a hundred new members last spring/summer, and it’s still growing.

Some new members don’t stay engaged. Others pop in to post a question now and then, and others monitor the private Facebook lounge daily to see the groups’ latest questions and answers. The exchanges of this online community are invaluable: tricks of the trade, tested sources for unusual materials, trustworthy sources for equipment, advice on managing tough customers and surly employees, words of wisdom, insurance details and so much more.

When I started up my landscape business in Muskoka back in 1991, I did all the heavy lifting — and I did it alone. I had to figure out how to make a profit and keep myself from imploding under the pressure of running a young landscape business. And then I found LO.

Jacki Hart CLM Prosperity Partners Program Manager info.peertopeer@landscapeontario.com

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LANDSCAPE ONTARIO LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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Z400 SERIES ROLL OUT WITH A HIGH-PERFORMANCE MOWER.

Four years or 750 hours See a participating Husqvarna servicing dealer for details © 2021 Husqvarna AB. All rights reserved.

Husqvarna’s Z400 series of professional zero-turn mowers is ready to deliver for your commercial operations. This highly productive and efficient lineup is designed for maximum performance and easy serviceability. From an optimal weight balance to the cutting-edge performance of the Parker HTE transmission, each mower in the Z400 series is ready to get the job done faster and more efficiently than ever before. HUSQVARNA.COM Connect with HusqvarnaCA

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Maximizes uptime Ideal balance and traction New, highperformance transmission

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

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