SYNKD Spring Issue 2025

TREES Post-Planting Care | BUSINESS Procurement | GROUNDBREAKER Kona Gray

Out, Citygreen | PLANTS Invasives Removal | HARDSCAPE Stone vs. Pavers |

THE GREEN ISSUE | COVER Stewards of Sustainability | PROJECTS Blossom, Inside Spring 2025

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SPRING 2025

VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 2 THE GREEN ISSUE

06 07

From the Editor Because We Live Here News Clippings News on sustainability from Stihl, AGAZA, & ASLA, as well as options for turning debris into fertilizer.

18 20 23 26

Q&A Thoughts on the illegal immigration crackdown.

The Beautiful Science of Rain Gardens Column: Dr. Damon Abdi LSU Ag Center Projects: Can Stormwater Management Be Sexy?

Blossom’s stylish landscape designs get ahead of the storm.

Plants: A Bittersweet Goodbye Molly Finch wields a chainsaw for all the right reasons.

23 14

26 29 30 32

The Softer Side of Hardscape Column: Angelica & Matt Norton Open Envelope Studios Hardscape: Stone vs.

Concrete Pavers The advantages & disadvantage of each, including which is more eco-friendly.

Green Products Six solutions for a more sustainable landscape.

LEAD STORY STEWARDS OF SUSTAINABILITY Monarch Landscape maintains Expedia’s award-winning eco-landscape.

30 For latest content, to view digital issues & to find out about upcoming events, visit www.synkd.io.

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@synkd-landscape

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Solutions: Going Underground in the Mile High City Denver, CO employs a belowground infrastructure to address stormwater and tree health.

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Christine Menapace

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34 37 38 41 42 44

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44

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

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Trisha Klaus SUBEDITOR

Erin Z. Bass WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Fabian Sanin |pg 15 Nataly Mualem|pg 18 Roger Crandell |pg 18 Justin White|pg 19 Jay Worth|pg 19 Dr. Damon Abdi |pg 20

Seeds of Wisdom Short takes from the podcasts of Synkd On Air Trees: Post-Planting Care Part 3 of the Understanding Trees Series The Power of Personal Branding Column: Kelly Dowell onlawn.io Business: Beyond the Buy Do you have a procurement strategy?

Focal Point: Inside Out Landscape Design Growing an eco-focused company since 2007.

48 GROUNDBREAKER KONA GRAY, FASLA, PLA

60+ countries, hundreds of projects, & one amazing career.

Blossom Design Build Maintain |pg 23 Molly Finch|pg 26 Angelica & Matt Norton|pg 29 Matt Henderson |pg 30 Citygreen |pg 34 Mizraim Mata|pg 37 James Lawrence |pg 37 Mark Bradley |pg 37 Scott Seargeant |pg 38 Kelly Dowell|pg 41 Schylaur Moody|pg 42 Inside Out Landscape Design |pg 44 Kona Gray |pg 48 PRINTED BY Modern Litho | www.modernlitho.com Published by ©SYNKD SYNKD is published four times a year and distributed to 15,000 qualified members of the green industry.

Postmaster: Send address changes to 323 Polk St., Lafayette, LA 70501.

Next Issue: SYNKD Summer 2025 Outdoor Living Contact Christine Menapace at christine@synkd.io for more information on how you and your company can be featured in upcoming issues.

SYNKD verifies information as much as possible. The views expressed by editorial contributors and the products advertised herein are not necessarily endorsements of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

SOUTH

FROM THE EDITOR BECAUSE WE LIVE HERE

W

elcome to Synkd’s Green issue. It’s coming out at a time when environmental advocacy can feel like a losing game. Today’s news headlines can elicit a variety of responses: depression, frustration, SMH acronyms, or simple outrage.

But when I look at my social media, the picture is much brighter. While major non-profits are fighting the legislative fight, many common interest groups and everyday citizens are remaining quietly steadfast in their passion for native plants, pollinator support, invasives removal, decreasing lawn size, responsible stormwater management, more organic landscape care, and generally fighting climate change. The numbers haven’t dropped off. The conversations haven’t changed. The enthusiasm hasn’t waned.

This point particularly came across in a recent podcast discussion with Kona Gray, the current president of the American Society for Landscape Architects (ASLA) and principal at EDSA, a global landscape architecture firm. A key part of ASLA’s mission

Winter 2025

& sust Innovation

ainability for

outdoor livin

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“Sustainability is where the industry is going.

More and more, clients want pollinatorfriendly landscapes, regenerative land care, and low-maintenance, ecologically-sound designs.”

Blossom, a design, build, maintain firm in Portland, OR, is dedicated to responsible stormwater management (p. 22) not just as a result of their own priorities, or client priorities, but due to the dynamics of a combined sewer system that pollutes Willamette River when not properly managed.

Such direct cause and effect relationships serve to remind us that environmental issues are not just scientific studies in far flung locations but daily realities within our own neighborhoods. I recently ran across a meme that said something like, “Someone once asked me why I was so concerned about the environment. I replied ‘Because I live there.’” Indeed, we all live here.

-Christine

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and indeed, even their code of ethics, has long focused on environmental sustainability.

So I asked Gray about ASLA’s focus in the current political climate. Gray, who often carries an attitude of infectious and inspired optimism, was empathetic but non-plussed.

“So our mission is very solid at ASLA. It’s focused on designing a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture, full stop. Very, very simple.”

He goes on to add, “We have amazing members, non-members, professionals, and friends of the landscape community that all are going in the same direction. I think our role as ASLA is to really push forward, to hold strong to our values…. And just keep going. Keep going. Doing what we do.” Read the full “Groundbreaker” interview with Gray on page 48.

Indeed, not one of the many sustainability-focused companies profiled in this issue shows any sign of slowing down. Molly Finch, owner of Goldfinch Designs, calls her invasive removal service “future-proof” and writes in Bittersweet Goodbye (p. 26),

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SYNKD Spring 2025

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synkd | News

NEWS CLIPPINGS STIHL RZA Mowers Now AGZA Certified

T

hinking about transitioning to electric landscape equipment, but don’t know where to start? Check out products that carry the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) AFTC Certification. It means the equipment has been vetted as capable of commercial work production.

The STIHL RZA battery-powered zeroturn mower platform is the most recent product inductee at time of this writing. It joins just two other companies in this category, including Mean Green and Greenworks OptimusZ™. AGZA subjected multiple STIHL RZA mowers to day-in, day-out field-testing environments to ensure professional-grade assessment of the line’s performance, durability, and longevity. STIHL RZA mowers were placed in various regions nationwide. Testing

in these regions allowed for operation in different temperature extremes, moisture and humidity levels, and dusty environments. It also provided insights into contrasting attitudes towards battery electric technologies for outdoor power equipment (OPE).

Besides the zero-turn mowers, other AGZA Certified commercial equipment includes: STIHL’s 36V AP Commercial System, the Husqvarna Commercial Battery Series, TOWA’s PDM Smart Charger and RetroFit, Makita’s XGT® and ConnectX™ lines, Kress landscape tools, the Oso 21” Electric Smart Mower, and the EGO Power+ platform designed for residential use.

A leader in zero-emission sustainable grounds maintenance strategies, AGZA has been advocating for and supporting the

transition from gas to electric operations for over a decade. AGZA certification programs educate, create, and verify AGZA Green Zones, AGZA AFTC products, and AGZA Service Professionals. n

The Scoop on Poop: Bug Waste as Promising BioFertilizer

C

ould insects—and their waste— provide a possible solution to regenerating healthy soil? A recent article from the BBC reports that over 33% of the world’s soil is currently degraded, “depleted of the nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth,” yet hope lies in a bug that can eat four times its own weight in organic waste and quickly turn it into sustainable fertilizer.

Using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to create fertilizer happens in a fraction of the time it takes for traditional composting and results in a 2-2-2 fertilizer rich in microbial activity. The excrement of BSFL, or frass, has such promising potential that the USDA

© Maneerut Srisuksai | Dreamstime.com

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SYNKD Spring 2025

awarded grants to three BSFL projects in May of last year, as part of the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).

A $4 million grant went to Chapul Farms, which designs, builds, and operates insect farms that convert organic waste into high protein animal feed and fertilizer. “It was really the war in Ukraine that stopped the shipment of fertilizer and made the U.S. realize that our dependency on outside fertilizer made us vulnerable as a nation,” said Chapul Farm COO Todd Severson. “And that’s when they put a lot of money in fertilizer production in the U.S.” Chapul works with neighboring farms to exchange waste for frass, creating a circular system for farming. But it’s also creating a better overall ecosystem—the frass provides essential nutrients to plants and fosters more biodiverse soil, encouraging the growth of native plants and repopulating insect species.

Mimi Casteel, an Oregon wine farmer using Chapul’s frass, told the BBC, “We could make compost out of anything but the impact of running it through this insect biology

has all of these [positive] implications. It’s exciting for so many reasons: it’s a portable, pretty low cost investment compared to some other things that we’re considering as part of dealing with our massive problems with waste, and soldier flies are replacing a missing layer of diversity.”

Unlike chemical fertilizers, which can deplete soil progressively and make it dependent on further inputs, the microbes in frass proliferate over time, rebuilding soil health. Eventually, it takes less frass to maintain the same levels of soil productivity.

“Finding a use for this is important, but if you’re going to market frass as a fertilizer, you need to regulate it, which takes time,” Shankar Ganapathi Shanmugam told the BBC. Shanmugam, an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Mississippi State University, is spearheading U.S. research on frass as a crop nutrient. “And to make these regulations you need research.”

The FPEP funds mentioned above will support construction and equipment for BSFL facilities in Oregon and North Dakota, with an anticipated yield of 10,000 tons of frass per location per year and generating 59 new jobs upon its completion in 2026. n

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synkd | News

ASLA Forms Task Force for Climate & Biodiversity Action Plan

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he American Society for Landscape Architecture (ASLA) has announced the five-member task force and 33-member advisory group that will develop its new Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan.

The new plan will be released at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture, October 10-13, 2025, in New Orleans, LA. The new plan will update the ASLA Climate Action Plan, released in 2022, and offer new goals and actions for 2026-2030. The scope of the new plan has been expanded—the climate and biodiversity crises will be treated as equal priorities, and the focus will be on actions that tackle both in an equitable way.

The plan also seeks to transform landscape

Chair: Meg Calkins, FASLA, Professor, Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning, NC State University

architecture by 2040 through actions focused on biodiversity and ecological restoration, climate mitigation and adaptation, equity, and economic development.

“Landscape architects know that naturebased solutions can help address both the climate and biodiversity crises while also providing multiple economic, environmental, social, and health benefits. This incredible Task Force and Advisory Group, made up of biodiversity, climate, equity, and advocacy leaders, will show us the way and guide our collective action over the next five years,” said ASLA President Kona Gray, FASLA. “ASLA believes that landscape architects’ climate and biodiversity work provides signif-

Equity Lead: Diane Jones Allen, FASLA, D. Eng., PLA, Director & Professor, Program in Landscape Architecture, Univ. of Texas at Arlington (UTA), & Principal Landscape Architect, DesignJones, LLC, Arlington, TX and New Orleans, LA

Biodiversity Lead: Jennifer A. Dowdell, ASLA, Practice Leader: Landscape Ecology, Planning & Design, Biohabitats, Baltimore, MD

icant benefits to communities in the U.S. and around the world. This new plan will act as a roadmap for strengthening communities’ economic well-being while also conserving and restoring ecosystems, reducing emissions, and enhancing resilience over the longterm,” said ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen, Hon. ASLA. Task force members are pictured below.

Additionally, the 33-member advisory group hails from 16 U.S. states and four countries and are in private, public, nonprofit practice, and academia. It consists of 20 women and 13 men; and three Black, four Asian and Asian American, seven Latino/a, and two Indigenous members. n

Climate Lead: Mariana Ricker, ASLA, PLA, Associate Principal, SWA Group, San Francisco, CA

Advocacy Lead: Andrew Wickham, ASLA, PLA, Project Leader, Landscape Architecture, LPA Design Studios, Sacramento, CA

Waste to Watts: More Green Uses for Landscape Debris

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hen TCIRood, a Florida-based landscape leader in sustainable land management and part of the Mariani Premier Group, first acquired a 40-acre site filled with unmanaged landscape debris, they sought an effective and environmentally responsible solution. Their partnership with Air Burners, a Florida-based developer of solutions to fight climate change, provided the answer:

the 300 Series FireBox. The FireBox System allowed TCIRood to efficiently eliminate vegetative waste while producing valuable byproducts like potash and biochar, used for soil enrichment.

The collaboration has been so successful that TCIRood recently hosted a “Waste to Watts” event where AirBurners introduced a new solution for turning vegetative waste into renewable energy. At the event, TCIRood’s site served as a real-world demonstration facility for the BioCharger®, a fully portable air curtain burner system, similar to the FireBox System, with the added benefit of converting radiant heat into electricity, storing the generated power, and then charging electric vehicles and equipment on-site. It was developed in collaboration with Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

“We’re proud to host Waste to Watts and showcase how our site serves as a model for sustainable waste management,” said Scott Fay, Co-President of TCIRood. “Our work with Air Burners has transformed how we handle landscape debris, and we’re excited to share these groundbreaking solutions with others looking for cleaner, more efficient waste management strategies.” n

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SYNKD Spring 2025

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synkd | News

New Plant Species Discovered at Big Bend National Park

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ntroducing the Wooly Devil, a newly discovered plant so distinctive, it’s not just a new species, but best classified as an entirely new genus within the Asteraceae (Daisy) family. The plant was first noticed in Big Bend National Park in March 2024 when a volunteer with the park’s botany program and a supervisory interpretive park ranger noticed some very tiny plants sprinkled among the desert rocks in a remote area in the northern reaches of Big Bend. Upon closer examination, they realized that the fuzzy foliage and interesting flower looked like nothing they had seen before.

Utilizing photos of the plant, they consulted species databases, herbarium records, plant taxonomy publications, area experts, and even posted the photos online to help identify their discovery. Excitement grew as it became apparent that these tiny plants were not previously known.

To name the plant, inspiration was found in its appearance. The name, Ovicula biradiata comes from Ovicula, which means tiny sheep, in reference to the thick white “wool” that covers the leaves, and biradiata, referencing the two conspicuous ray petals in each flower. Researchers working with the plant have also affectionately named the plant “wooly” or “wooly devil.”

Big Bend National Park has exceptional biodiversity due to its large size (801,165 acres) and wide range of habitat types. In July of 2022, botanical researchers discovered a rare oak tree species (Quercus tardifolia) thought to be extinct since 2011. Standing 30 feet tall, but in poor condition, studies of the tree hoped to provide insight on why the tree is going extinct and the ramifications for other endangered trees and their ecosystems. n

synkd | News

Sustainable Bamboo Building Panels

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cean, a global building materials startup, will be launching a firstof-its-kind bamboo composite panel later in 2025. The product will be first introduced in India with plans for U.S. expansion. After years of research and development, the panels are the first commercial product of the formerly named Eco-Shelter, a group born of the mission to create dignified shelter and building materials that positively impact and restore the health of the planet.

Last year was one of tremendous growth for Ocean. A critical technical milestone was achieved when commercial-scale panels were manufactured at Washington State University (WSU). Currently patent-pending, the panels will be manufactured at Ocean’s first commercial production facility in India.

Ocean also closed over 80% of its $2.5 million equity seed round from investors. The group was also awarded an additional $575,000 of funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation for continued research and development with partners at WSU. This will allow expansion into the next product application, including energy efficient, prefabricated sandwich panels for wall applications.

Through participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s incubator program, IMPEL, Ocean was also selected for several high-profile showcase opportunities including: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Innovative Housing Showcase at the U.S. National Mall, and Greentown Lab’s “Building Demo Day” in Boston, MA. n

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synkd | Lead Story

Stewards Of

SUSTAINABILITY

Monarch Landscape maintains Expedia’s unique eco-campus.

By Fabián Sanin

T

he Puget Sound region is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, where verdant landscapes and towering mountains meet the shimmering waters of the Pacific. Nestled along the waterfront at Elliott Bay is Expedia’s 41-acre Seattle headquarters, built in 2020. A travel technology company, Expedia ironically created a place no one would ever want to leave: a campus that serves as a testament to the area’s natural beauty, seamlessly integrating the built environment with the surrounding ecosystem. A recipient of LEED Gold, Salmon Safe, and SITES v2 Gold certifications, the site integrates biophilic design principles, native plantings, and sustainable stormwater strategies to create an immersive experience that connects employees, visitors, and the surrounding environment.

Expedia tasked Surfacedesign, Inc., a San Francisco-based landscape architecture firm, to create a campus that aligned with the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Surface Design built upon the eco-conscious objectives by developing an “experience-based” campus. Biophilic design principles shaped the campus, with native plantings and sustainable stormwater strategies that reflect the diverse ecosystems of western Washington.

Eight unique plant communities in the Expedia landscape represent a variety of natural habitats found in western Washington. The landscape reflects a Pacific Northwest Forest planted with Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, and larch underplanted with evergreen huckleberry, salal, and ferns.

This then transitions to an open woodland of native dogwood trees, red twig dogwood, and flowering red currant. Elsewhere, a gravel beach with dune plantings, driftwood logs, and boulders define the western edge where the landscape meets Puget Sound.

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Sustainable by Design More than just beautiful, however, the Expedia campus optimizes a variety of sustainable landscape design practices.

Waterfront Connectivity & Trail Integration. The campus is seamlessly linked to the Elliott Bay Trail, which was redesigned to improve safety and accessibility as well as be open to the public. A new public space, known as The Point, softens the trail’s original sharp corner into a more fluid curve, while separate pedestrian and bicycle pathways enhance circulation. Along the western edge of Smith Cove, the trail meanders through a linear park, enriched with native plantings that enhance habitat quality.

Resilient Shoreline & Habitat Restoration.

The campus’s proximity to Elliott Bay provided an opportunity for ecological restoration

along the shoreline. The landscape design includes elements that stabilize the waterfront edge while enhancing habitat for local species. This includes salt-tolerant vegetation and strategic planting to support pollinators and migratory birds.

Native & Adaptive Plantings. The landscape prioritizes biodiversity through a carefully curated selection of native and Salmon-Safe plantings, which supports local wildlife, improves stormwater infiltration, and reduces maintenance needs. These plantings also reinforce the site’s natural aesthetic, creating a landscape that changes with the seasons while requiring minimal irrigation.

Outdoor Work & Gathering Spaces.

Designed to promote well-being and outdoor engagement, the campus features a variety of open spaces, including courtyards,

SYNKD Spring 2025

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synkd | Lead Story

terraces, and garden areas with seating.

These spaces serve as outdoor work environments, meeting areas, and places for relaxation, reinforcing the connection between employees and nature.

Sustainable Stormwater Management.

The landscape incorporates green infrastructure strategies that help reduce runoff, improve water quality, and enhance the overall ecological function of the campus. In fact, the environmentally-friendly bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable surfaces absorb and collect around 95% of all rainwater that falls on the site; the captured water is fed into cisterns then recycled throughout the landscape, including a 12,000-square-foot water feature.

Taking Over Stewardship Once the landscape design was completed and installed, the Expedia Property Management team sought a partner to maintain and nurture its evolving, native ecosystem. That’s when my company, Los Angeles-based Monarch Landscape Companies, was entrusted with sustaining the carefully-crafted vision.

Our team is committed to preserving and enhancing this dynamic landscape, ensuring it remains a thriving, lush environment that embodies the beauty of the Pacific North-

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west. With a deep commitment to sustainability, we proudly follow in the footsteps of Surfacedesign, Expedia, and the Property Management Team continuously seeking innovative ways to steward the site. Leading our team efforts are horticulturists who oversee daily operations, ensuring that best practices are implemented to support shortand long-term landscape health.

Additionally, we leverage expertise from our specialists to address challenges, introduce forward-thinking solutions, and cultivate an environment that offers a “surprise and delight” experience for employees and visitors alike. Caring for such an iconic landscape in Seattle is both an honor and a responsibility—one that our team embraces with dedication, expertise, and a passion for sustainable landscape management.

Here are just a few of the unique landscape features we oversee at the campus.

Expedia’s Prairie Rooftop. Installed in 2024, the green roof creates a novel urban setting for western Washington native plants and insect biodiversity. This project investigates patterns of seasonal plants and pollinator biodiversity and provides a first glimpse of the plant-pollinator interactions unfolding in this new habitat area. A native prairie rooftop is an alternative green

The landscape successfully merges urban functionality with ecological sensitivity ... roof strategy. Western Washington has a diverse and beautiful set of native plants that are pre-adapted to the wet winters/ dry summer extremes that characterize our climate: the plants of the Cascadia prairies.

These prairie ecosystems, now rare due to development and land use changes, host a plethora of gorgeous native wildflowers.

Salmon-Safe. Expedia is proud to be one of the first campuses in the U.S. to achieve Salmon-Safe certification. We adhere to all required guidelines and actively collaborate with the organization to explore new, sustainable practices that protect the landscape and surrounding wildlife. In 2023, Expedia was successfully

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recertified, with our team exceeding all requirements through comprehensive reporting and continued environmental stewardship.

Sustainable Maintenance. To minimize our environmental footprint, our team utilizes small electric-powered landscape tools for daily maintenance, comprising about 75% of our equipment.

This commitment reduces carbon emissions and supports a cleaner, quieter work environment. As electric landscape tools continue to advance, we will continue to introduce this equipment as it becomes available.

We also employ mulch mowing techniques on-site. This helps the lawn by recycling grass clippings back into the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer and providing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The approach promotes healthier, greener grass while also helping to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature by creating a protective layer on the ground.

Adaptive Landscape Techniques. It’s essential to understand the natural behavior of on-site plants including their pH, watering preferences, reproduction methods, and how they grow in optimal environments. As such, we apply maintenance techniques that foster biodiversity and wildlife habitats to ensure the landscape can withstand environmental challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and resource scarcity. One technique we use is dividing ornamental grasses on-site to then transplant into areas needing more biodiversity and protection for pollinators and birds.

These are just some of the efforts currently being cultivated at the Expedia campus. The landscape successfully merges urban functionality with ecological sensitivity, creating a forward-thinking model for corporate sustainability in an urban waterfront setting. n All photos courtesy of Fabián Sanin / Monarch Landscape Companies

AUTHOR

Fabián Sanin

Strategic Client Solutions & Sustainability Manager Monarch Landscape Companies (425) 873-4856 www.monarchlandscape.com

www.synkd.io

Nataly Mualem Owner, Mualem Firm, Immigration, H-2B Attorney Westlake, OH

WITH THE CURRENT FEDERAL CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS REGARDING IMMIGRATION, LABOR, AND THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY?

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The H-2B program has become an increasingly popular solution as the federal crackdown on illegal immigration intensifies. While it comes with added costs and regulatory hurdles, it provides a more ethical and legally sound path for both employers and workers, offering stability and peace of mind. It doesn’t erase past immigration violations, but for businesses facing the sudden loss of a significant portion of their workforce, it can be a lifeline.

That said, the program is far from perfect. The visa cap, set in the early 1990s (cue millennial nostalgia), is severely outdated and no longer reflects the economic realities of today’s labor market. Bureaucratic delays and uncertainty around supplemental visas only add to the challenges. However, as more employers demand a legal, reliable way to meet their labor needs, there’s growing momentum for change. Whether that change comes through increased visa numbers, process improvements, or broader immigration reform remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: businesses that get ahead of the curve now will be in the best position to thrive.

Beyond H-2B, now is the time for employers to take a hard look at their documentation and compliance practices. Reviewing I-9 procedures, ensuring proper record-keeping, and understanding your rights in case of an audit or enforcement action are critical steps in protecting your business.

Immigration compliance isn’t just about securing workers—it’s about safeguarding your company’s future in an increasingly scrutinized landscape.

Roger Crandell Owner, Second Opinion Landscape Consulting Mechanicsville, VA

The enforcement of immigration law will reduce the Spanish workforce.

E-Verify would reduce the illegal workforce. An idea would be to have a waiver for employers to register and request work visas for the 10 million illegals currently employed. The landscape industry will suffer [since] many companies do not use E-Verify and do not confirm the identity of applicants.

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Justin White

Jay Worth

CEO, K&D Landscaping Watsonville, CA

Marketing Manager, SingleOps Software Atlanta, GA

Immigration, labor, and the landscape industry have been intertwined for decades, and with the federal crackdown on illegal immigration ramping up, it’s a hot topic right now. The truth is, our immigration system is broken, and it needs serious reform. But as business owners, our job isn’t to fix the system—it’s to run our companies the right way, follow the laws in place, and protect our businesses and employees.

The landscape industry constantly battles with legal and non-legal employment practices, and many contractors find themselves caught between staying competitive and staying compliant. It’s not an easy line to walk, but at K&D Landscaping, we’ve made it simple: we hire by the book, period. That means making sure our I-9s are airtight, our records are clean, and our hiring process follows every state and federal law. We also run regular audits—thanks to some great software, we’re able to automate this and check compliance almost daily. If you’re running a business, I’d strongly recommend you take a deep dive into your hiring practices and know exactly where you stand.

Another big piece of this is knowing your rights. Just because an immigration official or ICE agent asks for paperwork doesn’t mean you have to hand it over on the spot. Understanding when a warrant is required and how to handle those situations is key. And just as important—making sure your employees know their rights too. Fear and misinformation are everywhere right now, and I firmly believe education is the best antidote. The more people understand, the less fear and confusion they have.

At the end of the day, there’s a lot of noise around this issue, but not much action— yet. The new administration has made it clear that change is coming, and we’re keeping a close eye on what that means for our industry. What I’d love to see is real immigration reform that actually works for businesses and employees alike.

The landscape industry is built on hard work, and we need a workforce that’s reliable, legal, and treated fairly. We’re committed to being on the right side of this— by following the rules, keeping our team informed, and pushing for policies that actually make sense for the future of our industry.

Labor has ALWAYS been a problem for the green industry. The current government policies are only going to exacerbate the issue.

I think the companies that are going to come out stronger are going to focus on a career ladder, giving their workforce a purpose (beyond a paycheck), great culture, flexibility with work/life balance, intentional onboarding, competitive pay and benefits relative to other physically demanding industries, better marketing to candidates, and a thoughtful experience for those candidates. The companies who do this will win more often and have fewer staffing issues.

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DR. DAMON ABDI

THE BEAUTIFUL SCIENCE OF RAIN GARDENS BIOREACTORS, DENITRIFICATION, & HYDRAULIC RETENTION TIME?!

Damon Abdi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture, LSU Ag Center

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hen it rains, it pours … and ideally, pores in the soil soak up the stormwater. On many sites, however, and for various reasons, heavy rains often bypass this valuable step and quickly inundate stormwater infrastructure. When this occurs, not only is rain as a source of deep irrigation lost, but the pollutants it picks up along the way are carried directly into our waters. To combat this dynamic, landscapers must seek creative solutions encompassing both ecological engineering and aesthetics.

When designed properly, rain gardens are a wonderful nature-based solution that fit the bill perfectly. In my lab at Louisiana State University, we focus on optimizing rain garden systems to maximize contaminant removal from runoff water and introduce (or re-introduce) plants to the urban environment.

Contaminants commonly found in runoff vary by location and land use. Runoff from rural areas is rich in nutrients—particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from fertilizers. Suburban areas also contribute nutrients to runoff from lawn fertilizer. Urban areas also face excessive nutrients in runoff, as well as a wide spectrum of other contaminants of concern, but that is another article.

Why are we interested in N and P? Because when these elements reach water bodies via runoff, harmful algal blooms can occur and ecological havoc is wreaked.

Nitrogen: The Fickle Fertilizer Nitrogen is a fickle fertilizer to manage. It’s readily transformed in soils through a myriad

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of microbial processes including nitrification, ammonification, and last, but not least, denitrification. These processes change the form and fate of applied or existing nitrogen in the landscape. While we can manage our fertilizer inputs on specific landscapes, runoff water laden with nitrogen is a problem outside our reach. So optimizing rain gardens to create desirable “transformation” processes is a sound course of action.

Enter “bioreactors,” a fancy sounding term that is actually a simple solution to excessive nitrogen. Harnessing the power of naturally occurring microbial communities (bacteria) to stimulate the desired biological reaction is the purpose of bioreactors. In this case, the desired process is denitrification— a process that converts nitrogen in soil or water into nitrogen gas, which is then released into the atmosphere. In order to stimulate denitrification, we must manage two things: available carbon and the amount of time water is part of the process.

Bacteria thrive on having plentiful sources of carbon and nitrogen—and mediating between these two elements directs specific biological processes (such as composting). In

bioreactors, providing ample sources of carbon feeds the bacteria and provides a surface for a diverse community of bacterial species to grow upon. When bacteria has enough carbon to eat, it will seek out a supply of nitrogen to equilibrate biologic processes, yielding byproducts (some more desirable than others).

Bacteria need sufficient time to conduct these processes. The amount of time that contaminated runoff water spends “in treatment” in the rain garden is called “hydraulic retention time” or HRT. The ideal HRT can be hours to days. Why is this? Wet or flooded soil has little oxygen available, and when oxygen is limited, bacteria will use nitrates instead of oxygen for respiration. As nitrates are reduced through this process, they are transformed in a stepwise fashion to other forms of nitrogen. If provided sufficient HRT, nitrates can be transformed all the way to desirable nitrogen gas—which comprises the majority of our atmosphere.

If water is retained for a period too short for complete denitrification, undesirable byproducts (including certain greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide) are produced. In essence, the removal of nitrate from runoff water can be biologically spurred by providing ample carbon to support denitrification, and the HRT necessary to allow complete denitrification.

Bioreactor systems have been popular in agronomic fields in the upper Midwest for several decades, often observed as a lined trench filled with woodchips (a readily available carbon source). My lab focuses on integrating elements of these systems into rain garden media —specifically incorporating and evaluating a range of carbon materials (such as woodchips

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synkd | Columns

and other locally sourced carbon residues) and blend ratios to support both nitrate removal and proper plant growth conditions.

Phosphorous Needs a Date Phosphorus is the other primary element of interest when it comes to addressing ecological problems. In fact, it may be the element of greater concern when considering freshwater systems or the potency of small amounts of P in runoff. Removing P presents a different challenge than N—as the former is more readily physically filtered, while removal of the latter is biologically-based, as described above.

Phosphorus readily binds to clay particles in soil, but clay-based soils can run out of room to bind with P. What happens when a soil or site becomes saturated with P? Phosphorus will not be “gassed-off” like nitrogen and instead will remain until removed by people or plants (more on this below).

As a result, identifying materials that bind with P for its removal is another area of my research. We evaluate a range of materials to blend into typical rain garden growing mediums to support sequestration of P. Optimizing rain garden medias to allow better water storage and drainage, while also providing more binding sites for P can allow greater

volumes of runoff water to be treated and more contaminants to be removed.

Integrating plants into rain gardens may seem like an afterthought, but a bed of media alone will not impress the community. A landscape bed filled with plants creates an appreciable aesthetic that also complements contaminant removal. Not only will the plants provide beauty, but they will uptake N and P from the runoff water, and the P bound to particles, to reopen P capture.

Wondering what plants to use? Carefully selecting plants that work in periodically wet to consistently saturated soils is necessary. It’s also a great idea to start with native plants. In South Louisiana, where we are no stranger to wet conditions, we are evaluating the perfor-

mance of native species such as Bald Cypress, Sweetbay Magnolia, Virginia Willow, and River Birch in various media blends. Our goal is to evaluate plant performance under the frequently flooded conditions of rain gardens and understand the impact these species may have on the garden’s function.

Ultimately, using rain gardens as bioreactors is a creative solution to addressing the issue of excess nutrients in stormwater runoff. These systems provide an engineering benefit, an ecological benefit, and an aesthetic element. By ensuring adequate carbon and P binding materials in rain garden medias, intentionally selecting plant species, and allowing adequate time for treatment, optimized rain gardens represent a creative, nature-based approach to some of our most pressing issues in the landscape. n

AUTHOR

Damon Abdi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Landscape Horticulture at LSU Ag Center dabdi@agcenter.lsu.edu

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Can Stormwater Management Be

Sexy?

A Portland firm gets ahead of the storm, with sustainability and style.

By Christine Menapace, Editor

S

tormwater management is an increasing concern in modern landscaping. Climate patterns are shifting, flooding is intensifying, and development areas are expanding. As a result, landscape professionals must increasingly consider how substantial amounts of water will move through a property to a desired destination. Planning ahead to mitigate flood and storm damage has become as essential as achieving a certain design aesthetic or ensuring plants are regionally appropriate.

Beyond abating damage, stormwater management is also central to creating a sustainable landscape design. Designing systems that slow, capture, infiltrate and filter stormwater allows water to be utilized as the resource it is. Techniques including bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs and infiltration basins can slow, infiltrate, and redistribute water back into the soil and local water table. These smart water management strategies create landscapes that can handle a wide variety of rain scenarios.

The Portland Priority Consider Portland, OR. With a reputation for overcast skies, Portland averages about 153 rainy days per year. At the time of this writing, the city had just suffered a storm of such heavy rainfall from an “atmospheric river” that Portland Parks & Recreation reported nearly 80 “tree-related” emergencies on city property and landslides were occurring in various locations. One OregonLive.com commentary humorously carried the headline: “Portland’s ceaseless rain is a reminder that February is a truly terrible month.”

So perhaps it’s no surprise that the landscape professionals at Blossom are finding inventive ways to integrate stormwater

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synkd | Projects

Key Takeaways for Effective Stormwater Management 1

management solutions into the brand’s ecological principles and streamlined, modern aesthetic. “Portland has a problem with our combined sewer system,” explains Blossom Designer Dorsey Kilbourn. “And so when we have a heavy rain, we end up with sewage in our river. So, it’s the city’s priority—and it’s Blossom’s priority beyond that—for plants to ‘keep’ the water that falls on that property.” She adds, “As stewards of the landscape, we have a responsibility to retain water on-site as much as possible, which is especially important in areas with combined sewer systems.”

For years, sewage overflows during heavy rain events were common in Portland, but since 2011, a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) has increased efforts to reduce stormwater in the system. The result? 2024 was one of only a few years on record without a sewage overflow into the river.

Due to this dynamic, Blossom’s approach to stormwater management is twofold.

“While there are immediate benefits to any landscape and local ecology, in Portland there is extra incentive to remove stormwater from the sewer system,” comments Owner Todd Blossom.

This function, however, can still live happily with form. “Water management is practical at its core and doesn’t have to sacrifice design,” says Blossom. “In fact, landscape

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design can and should integrate multifunctional, multitiered stormwater management techniques into the landscape design process. This enhances both visual appeal, local ecology and property value for your people and place.”

The Problem Is the Solution Often, the most severe and impactful flooding is due to inadequate drainage, improper use of non-native plants, and urban development that disrupts natural water runoff.

To rectify these issues, understanding the topography of a property to be designed— as well as its surroundings—is key. With a keen eye and some calculations, a designer can determine areas of a property that are most likely to flood and apply strategies to address vulnerabilities at the outset of the design process.

In one particular Blossom project, Kilbourn describes how her team faced multiple onsite challenges ranging from unforeseen grading challenges to heavy volumes of water from impermeable surfaces. “Obviously, [the clients] didn’t come to me and say, ‘OK, make a plan for where all the water on our property is gonna go,’” she explains. “I had to do that.”

Striving for a balance of the needed functionality and desired aesthetic, the Blossom

Assess the Landscape’s Topography Identify slopes, low areas, and places where water naturally pools. This insight is essential for developing tailored solutions.

2

Incorporate Permeable Surfaces Use permeable pavers, gravel pathways, and rain gardens that allow water to infiltrate the soil, rather than running off.

3

Opt for Native Plants Native vegetation not only manages water better but also boosts biodiversity. Choose plants that suit your area’s climate and require minimal maintenance.

4

Design for Aesthetics & Functionality Integrate functional features that also add visual appeal, such as rain chains, decorative water channels, and Japanese-inspired landscaping elements.

5

Adopt a Watershed Wise Approach Designing with Watershed Wise principles ensures your landscape supports water conservation, reduces runoff, and prevents pollution from entering local water bodies.

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synkd | Projects

As stewards of the landscape, we have a responsibility to retain water on-site as much as possible. design team held to the permaculture adage: “The problem is the solution.” Indeed, water movement can be beautiful. “Taking inspiration from a traditional Japanese moon gate and the Japanese aesthetic sought by the client, a new feature and focal point was born into the landscape,” explains Kilbourn.

While not always practical, here a carefully chosen rain chain is used to move water from a slotted conveyance in a portal wall to the ground, where it is collected and directed. In this particular project a bioswale, doubling as a dry creek bed, helps convey water through the landscape, even passing under a custom foot bridge. The design allows water to percolate and infiltrate along the way,

eventually reaching a dry well system where it feeds back into the local water table. Now, over 600 gallons of water are managed on site with every 1 inch of rain, resulting in a landscape rich in interest and ecological value.

The Importance of Native Plants It should be mentioned that native plants are another essential tool in the Blossom team’s water management strategies. In the project above, Dorsey said the landscape needed “a simple and cohesive palette of plants for year-round appeal, ecological value, drought-tolerance, and staggered bloom times.” These are the hallmarks of resilient native plants.

Because native plants have evolved in the Portland area, they are naturally adapted to the local climate and, when placed properly, will be healthier and better able to withstand anomalies like flood and drought events.

Deeper root systems improve soil structure and capacity to take in and hold excess water. Native plants also support local biodiversity, add ecological health to properties, and minimize the need for irrigation and maintenance, which align with the goals of sustainable landscaping.

Overall, Blossom’s landscape designs and techniques are rooted in a Watershed Wise approach to stormwater management.

Techniques like this help manage water in the landscape while also building soil, reducing erosion, and preventing toxic runoff from entering city drains and river systems. The result is a more resilient landscape functioning as its own mini watershed helping to regenerate the land, water, and air. n All photos courtesy of Dorsey Kilbourn, Blossom

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A Bittersweet

GOODBYE By Molly Finch

Wielding a chainsaw while repairing ecosystems is win-win. Why we should all be offering invasive species removal.

H

ave you ever had someone ask— out of the blue—if they could do free manual labor for your for-profit company, just because they believed in the work? I have. Multiple times.

It’s not because my company’s work is glamorous. It’s not.

We cut, pull, and dig. Honeysuckle, privet, and burning bush that is thicker than scaffolding, gripping the understory. Wintercreeper, ivy, and bittersweet vines wrapped tight around trees. Hands raw. Arms scratched. Boots muddy. Muscles burning. And yet—it feels amazing.

Not in an abstract, “doing-good-feels-good” way, but in a visceral, deeply human way.

Because in a world where the problems feel massive, tangled, too big to undo—climate change, pollinator decline, biodiversity collapse— there’s a collective hunger for something tangible. Something that feels more real than just pressing a “donate” button or arguing online about the state of the world.

And this is something we can roll up our sleeves and fix. Right now.

With chainsaws, shovels, and loppers. With sweat and strategy. This is restoration in its most tangible form: cut, and light floods back in. Soon, seeds that have waited years awaken. An ecosystem breathes again.

This is not just weeding. This is repair. A direct, visible way to rewrite the story of the land, trading depletion for abundance. At Goldfinch Garden Design, we don’t just plant, we rebuild. We are an ecological design, build, and ongoing care company focused on native plant landscapes that support biodiversity, pollinators, and wildlife.

But before native plants can thrive, they need space to grow. That’s why invasive species removal is at the core of our work—editing out what doesn’t belong, strengthening what does, and setting the land up for long-term resilience.

THE WHYS Our business takes a triple bottom line approach (profit, people, planet), so our “whys” do too.

PROFIT. Sustainability is where the industry is going. More and more, clients want pollinator-friendly landscapes, regenerative land care, and low-maintenance, ecologically-sound designs. But before any of that can happen, invasives have to go. That’s why invasive species removal is the most overlooked, high-demand ecological service in landscaping today.

1. Landowners see the problem. Honeysuckle and kudzu swallowing their woods, invasive grasses choking out meadows—but they don’t know who to call. Almost no one is offering this service at scale. This is an enormous opportunity for green industry professionals across multiple sectors.

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synkd | Plants

2. There is high demand. HOAs, parks, municipalities, and private landowners need this work.

3. The service is scalable. With repeatable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), it’s easy to train crews and expand the service.

4. It’s future-proof. As sustainability becomes the industry standard, businesses offering ecological services will stay relevant and in demand.

5. Off-season potential is great. Many invasives stay green longer than other plants, making them especially easy to spot and remove when other work slows. While specifics vary, many can still be effectively tackled in winter, making this a prime opportunity for steady off-season revenue.

Offering invasive species removal gives your business an immediate foothold in the sustainability market without an expensive rebrand, a PhD in horticulture, or a complete shift in operations. And right now, the companies that step into this space first will be the ones leading the industry shift.

PEOPLE. After countless hours removing invasive plants, I’ve had a lot of time to think about why people (including me) love doing this work. It comes down to four basic human truths: 1. Raw destruction is weirdly cathartic. Real talk: demolition is fun.

There’s a reason kids love stomping on sandcastles and why people pay good money to smash office printers in rage rooms. If you woke up with any pent-up frustration about taxes, email overload, or the general existential weight of adulthood, it’ll definitely be gone by the time you leave the job site.

2. We like when an enemy gets smote. The human brain loves a good-versus-evil story. I’m about as pacifist as it gets—but even I can’t help but internally fist-pump when Legolas and Gimli are mowing down orcs at Helm’s Deep like they’ve got commission-based incentives. The instinct to take down a perceived invader runs deep.

But if history has taught us anything, it’s that this impulse can lead us to some very dark places if we aren’t careful. So let’s be clear: that kind of language should never be applied to people.

But honeysuckle is not a person. Kudzu is not a persecuted group.

These species, though balanced in their original ecosystems, are actively unraveling biodiversity. For once, we get to swing our swords (or, more practically, our reciprocating saws), knowing that we’re truly on the right side of things.

3. We’re obsessed with tidiness. There’s a reason power-washing videos have a cult following. We crave control, we want things in their proper place—which is why people get twitchy about weeds in a lawn. The trick is redirecting that energy toward restoring biodiversity instead of harming it.

For decades, landscaping has been about taming chaos—shaping outdoor spaces to be neat, functional, and beautiful. There is real skill in that work, a craft in making a landscape look intentional, structured, designed. But as we’ve refined aesthetics, we haven’t always accounted for ecology. We’ve innocently introduced plants for their hardiness, blooms, and fast growth, without realizing some of them would later overrun entire landscapes.

Invasive species removal is the rare opportunity where we can channel that same instinct for order into something that is not just satisfying, but scientifically, ecologically, and ethically sound. Here, clearing, cutting, and cleaning up are exactly what the land needs to recover.

4. We crave purpose. Humans are wired for meaning—without it, we spiral. The beauty of invasive removal? It’s instant purpose, right there in the dirt. You are saving butterflies and baby birds, and if

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that doesn’t move you, you might not have two pinches of soul to rub together.

When your crew feels that purpose, work stops being just a job.

Hard days aren’t as draining, and effort feels invested rather than spent. People don’t just work for a paycheck, they work for something that matters. Give them both, and you build a team that’s driven, engaged, and proud of what they do. It feels good to do this work—but it’s not just about feeling good. It’s about stopping a slow collapse before it’s too late. Because when we lose native plants, we lose everything that depends on them.

PLANET. Not all non-native plants are a problem. But none of them sustain life like native plants do. Over 90% of plant-eating insects are specialists, meaning they can only survive on the native plants they evolved alongside.

Take those plants away, and the insects disappear. And when the insects disappear? The birds follow. Birds don’t raise their chicks on seeds and berries. 96% of North American terrestrial birds feed their young almost exclusively on caterpillars and other insects.

No insects, no baby birds. No baby birds, no future population.

This isn’t abstract. It’s measurable, visible, happening right now.

And invasive species, which alter soil chemistry and choke out the plants that fuel the entire food web, are a direct cause. But, good news: We know how to reverse it.

THE HOWS When crews are well-trained, tools are chosen wisely, and removal methods are strategic, the impact lasts for years.

1. Learn before you cut. Not all invasives behave the same way, and the worst offenders vary by region. Before you start, know exactly what you’re dealing with. The best resources for invasive species identification and management include: • State natural resource agencies • Native plant societies • Invasive species councils • Land grant universities & cooperative extension services 2. Train your crew with clear SOPs. A clear SOP ensures your team works efficiently, effectively, and safely. For each individual plant species, your SOP should include:

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• ID guide – Photos, descriptions, seasonal changes, and native lookalikes to avoid mistakes.

• Removal method – Mechanical vs. chemical approaches, best timing, and safe disposal.

• Herbicide protocols – Specify type, concentration, and application method.

• Safety measures – PPE requirements, first aid, and OSHA compliance.

• Quality control – Photo documentation, checklists, and herbicide tracking should be in use.

3. Use the right tools for the job. You don’t need expensive equipment to do this work well. Heavy machinery disturbs and compacts soil, often making things worse by creating ideal conditions for more invasives to take hold. Handheld tools give better control. A chainsaw with a 16-18-inch bar is useful for the largest shrubs, but for 95% of the work, it’s unnecessary. An 8-inch battery-powered pruning chainsaw is safer, lighter, greener, and easier for crews who don’t have arborist training. For cutting roots and removing smaller woody plants, a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade is incredibly effective.

4. Apply the right removal strategy. Each invasive species has unique vulnerabilities. Whenever possible, mechanical removal should be the first choice—cutting, digging, and pulling without chemicals. But for woody species that resprout aggressively, a cut-stump herbicide application immediately after cutting may be necessary. The key is precision. Using daubber bottles with a dyed solution keeps herbicide exactly where it’s needed. Some species do require foliar application, but many don’t. Herbicide choice,

concentration, and application method should always be based on species-specific research and local regulations.

THE HOPE Invasive species removal gives us hope because unlike so much of the environmental movement, it doesn’t stall in policy debates or hinge on technology that may never arrive. It’s simpler than that. It’s just real, honest work. Hands in the dirt. Blades to the stems. Sweat in the sun. Crews in the field, getting it done. And it works.

Because nature is tenacious. The land won’t heal without help, but it’s not beyond repair. Clear the way, and life takes back what it lost. n

AUTHOR

Molly Finch

Owner and Lead Ecological Designer Goldfinch Garden Design, LLC molly@goldfinchgardendesign.com www.goldfinchgardendesign.com

ANGELICA & MATT NORTON THE SOFTER SIDE OF HARDSCAPE MATERIAL CHOICES TO PUT EVERYONE ON SOLID GROUND

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Angelica & Matt Norton, Landscape Designers & Owners of Open Envelope Studio

e often use words like “cozy” and “relaxing” to describe designed landscapes that help people recharge after a long day. And much like plants, surface treatments tangibly shape the experience of a landscape.

While everyone is affected by their surroundings, for neurodivergent or sensitive individuals, perception of textures, shapes, and colors can be heightened. Even walking through an unfamiliar space can cause anxiety. Yet hardscape materials can help calm the nervous system through proper surface treatment selection, heat absorption, and paving choices.

Texture The contrast between gravel colors and sizes, as well as the texture underfoot, influences interaction with the space. Consider how large, rounded river stones can feel unstable and increase the risk of twisting an ankle, while smaller stones interlock for more stability, though may be uncomfortable for bare feet. Pea gravel, with its rounded edges, can feel pleasant barefoot but may shift, similar

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to sand at the beach. Thoughtful surface treatment selection, then, can naturally guide movement and ensure that paths and gathering spaces provide stability and comfort for all who enter the space.

Temperature Heat absorption, influenced by a material’s albedo, or reflectivity, also affects barefootfriendliness. Dark-colored materials with low albedo, such as woods, gravels, and tiles, can become intensely hot in the summer sun. Conversely, lighter materials like blonde woods, travertine, and limestone reflect more heat and remain cooler, making them more suitable for barefoot use. This is particularly important for fostering a grounded connection to the earth, especially when designing for those with elevated anxiety. Designing spaces with sensory-friendly materials allows comfortable use in various weather conditions.

Placement Placement of pavers or poured-in-place concrete can enhance the functionality of a landscape design. For primary pathways connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, solid surfaces may be preferable, provided impervious coverage limits allow for it. Furniture stability is another consideration. A picnic table with a wide-based leg can work on various surfaces, while a chair with narrow legs may feel unstable and contribute to dysregulation if placed on shifting gravel. Ensuring that seating areas are both visually appealing and functionally stable elevates the comfort and usability of the space.

A thoughtful approach to material selection enhances the overall experience of a space for everyone. Even neurotypical

individuals clearly benefit from well-designed hardscapes that promote nervous system regulation. By prioritizing sensory-friendly materials and surfaces, landscape designers can create inclusive and welcoming outdoor environments that all can enjoy. n Up Next: We’ll move on to incorporating client feedback for our next article!

AUTHOR

Angelica Norton, ASLA

Owner of Open Envelope Studio LLC (512) 925-0155 angelica@openenvelopestudio.com www.oes.design

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Natural Stone vs.

Concrete Pavers

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andscape professionals have always considered cost, aesthetics, and performance when selecting hardscape materials and installation methods. But they are increasingly thinking about long-term environmental impacts due to changing customer preferences, as well as evolving local and state stormwater regulations in some locations. Both concrete pavers and natural stone pavers provide attractive, durable surfaces that can help with runoff management. And both types can be used in permeable installations for more natural stormwater management.

While concrete pavers and natural stone both have their advantages, natural stone seems to have an edge in the long run. Let’s do an analysis.

Stormwater & Permeability No matter what kind of paver is used — either concrete or natural stone — considerations need to be made around the full system. The base material, the gaps between the stones, and the jointing materials all need to be considered. Permeable installations allow water to seep through the small gaps left between the pavers, and down into a prepared base layer. Both concrete and natural stone pavers work well for permeable installations,

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By Matt Henderson

and both types give similar performance when it comes to alleviating flooding and safely and efficiently directing stormwater.

Cost Concrete pavers can be less expensive than natural stone pavers because they are mass manufactured. They are simple and easy to produce and can be replicated with a high degree of precision. Natural stone is just that — natural. It must be located, quarried out of the earth, and then shaped—all extra labor and extra steps that add to the initial cost.

Often, natural stone pavers can cost three or four times as much per square foot as manufactured concrete pavers, which is not an insignificant difference when quoting a job.

Another factor in cost is naturally installation and labor. Concrete pavers can be easier to install because of their very consistent size, shape, and thickness. Natural stone often requires extra cutting, fitting, and more precise placement, all of which add steps and cost to the process.

of hues and made in just about any shape desired. However, exposure to sun and the elements causes dyed colors to fade over time, and concrete pavers may eventually lose their original color.

On the other hand, natural stone pavers typically are not available in as many colors, but weather much more slowly. Some types of stone, like marble, can keep their appearance for centuries with simple regular cleaning and sealing. While natural stone may offer a limited palette of colors compared to concrete pavers, natural stone is already millions of years old before it is quarried and cut into shapes. It has, by simply existing, already won the color durability battle.

Aesthetics

Maintenance

Because concrete pavers are manufactured, they can be dyed and colored in a wide range

Once fully installed, the advantages of natural stone shine through over the long term.

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synkd | Hardscape

Concrete pavers simply don’t last as long as many types of natural stone. Granite, sandstone and even limestone are all harder than modern concrete, and resist pressure and wear better.

Over time, some concrete pavers will crumble a bit, especially on the edges or crack all the way through. They will need to be at least resealed, if not completely replaced, sometimes within 10 years or less of original installation. Natural stone typically lasts much longer. In several European countries, it is still possible today to walk on natural stone pavers installed 500 or even more than 1,000 years ago.

Sustainability More and more landscape customers are becoming sensitive to the environmental impacts of landscape work. In some cases, city and county governments enact regulations requiring sustainable practices and look to work with professionals who understand such guidelines.

Concrete pavers require lots of energy at every step of the manufacturing process.

It starts with aggregate materials being sourced and transported to a factory and continues with the actual mixing and pouring

... natural stone seems to have an edge in the long run. of the pavers. A main ingredient in concrete is cement, and cement production by itself produces large amounts of CO2. Afterwards, the pavers require high temperature curing.

Adding synthetic binders or coloring agents, common processes for concrete pavers, also results in increased emissions.

While natural stone must be quarried, doing so produces much fewer emissions than manufacturing does. Natural stone is shaped without synthetic binders or dyes and no high-heat curing is needed. Often, the dust and offcuts resulting from natural stone quarries is gathered and recycled into other purposes, such as gravel, pipe bedding, or even parts of artificial reefs.

Some might argue that quarries themselves are significant environmental impacts,

but they still result in fewer industrial emissions compared to high volume manufacturing of concrete pavers. And stone quarries can be reclaimed, with old quarries being repurposed as parks, nature preserves, lakes, and reservoirs or other community spaces.

Both concrete pavers and natural stone pavers can be used in permeable installations to manage storm water. Both can be attractive and aesthetically pleasing. While concrete pavers may cost less initially, natural stone lasts much longer with much less maintenance. And in the long run, using natural stone produces fewer emissions than high volume paver manufacturing, which can be very appealing to customers who are increasingly mindful of environmental impacts. n

AUTHOR

Matt Henderson Category Manager

SiteOne Landscape Supply www.SiteOne.com

WunderCovers™ seamlessly blend manhole, drain, or utility access covers and vaults

Custom covers, built to order, low volume, any size or configuration

Our covers are made to fit a wide variety of uses

Simply input the surrounding hardscape into the cover

Seamlessly blend into the surrounding landscape

Tel. 775-400-2883 info@wundercovers.com

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synkd | Products

ON-TREND PRODUCTS

You need to know about these

GREEN products MITOGROW

Aqua 3-IA MitoGrow’s Aqua 3-IA is a patented biostimulant that enhances root development, reduces plant mortality by up to 70%, and cuts water and fertilizer needs by up to 50%, all while promoting more sustainable landscaping and tree care practices. Since Aqua 3-IA reduces reliance on limited resources, it’s an essential tool in areas facing drought and environmental regulations. The science-backed formula improves soil health by stimulating beneficial microbial activity to create stronger root systems that enhance nutrient uptake, leading to more resilient plants and trees that require fewer interventions. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, Aqua 3-IA works seamlessly with any product, integrating into sustainable land management practices with minimal environmental impact.

TOWA

PDM™ Power Distribution Manager As the landscaping industry shifts toward battery-powered equipment, the TOWA PDM Power Distribution Manager provides a solution for charging multiple batteries seamlessly while preventing downtime and infrastructure strain.

Traditional charging setups often lead to tripped breakers, tangled cords, and downtime swapping or rotating batteries manually. The PDM™ eliminates these issues with active load management, a system that automatically balances power distribution. What makes the PDM especially useful for commercial operations is its brand-agnostic compatibility making it future-proof as new brands come in the space. Landscapers can charge multiple brands of batteries from a single outlet, improving operations and optimizing workflows. PDM is a simple yet intelligent Plug and Play solution made for any brand, anytime, anywhere. www.towatools.com

32 SYNKD Spring 2025

www.mitogrow.com

UNIFIED STEEL

Stone Coated Roofing Unified Steel combines the structural strength of steel with an innovative Above-Sheathing Ventilation system to deliver exceptional durability, weather resistance, and year-round reduced energy consumption compared to asphalt shingles. The system may reduce attic temperatures and heat flow by up to 30% compared to asphalt shingles, enhancing overall performance. With a 50-year limited warranty, it offers hail resistance, a Class A Fire Rating, and the aesthetic versatility to emulate shingle, clay tile, cedar shake, or slate. Unified Steel is also a finalist for the 2025 Best of IBS Awards in the “Most Innovative Building Material Product” category. www.westlakeroyalroofing.com

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synkd | Products

CRESCENT GARDEN

InOu Furniture Crescent Garden has created InOu, a new elegantly styled outdoor furniture line made with circular, climate-positive UBQ™, a material made from household waste diverted from landfills.

Pronounced “ee-noo,” the line is sustainable, modular, durable, and feels as great as it looks.

Select preconfigured furniture units or create furniture suited for the specific environment.

Four core InOu pieces can be assembled into dozens of custom configurations, including a loveseat, three-seater modular sofa, comfortable outdoor chaise lounge, outdoor sectional sofa, and other arrangements. InOu furniture is capable of withstanding intense heat, extreme cold, direct sunlight, and the wear and tear of kids and pets. Available in four rich fabric colors, four furniture body color options, and three finishes for legs. www.crescentgarden.com

SITEONE

Portfolio DroughtResistant Grasses Portfolio drought-resistant grasses from SiteOne add beauty and color while requiring less irrigation and maintenance. The exclusive line offers several varieties. Portfolio Dwarf Fountain Grass with attractive, long-lasting tan plumes and a small adult size is perfect for applications with limited space. It grows well in beds, containers or mass plantings. Portfolio White Cloud Muhly Grass has narrow, blue-green foliage tipped with white, fluffy plumes in late summer into fall. Ideal for group, mass, or border plantings, it grows well in sandy or rocky well-drained soils and thrives in full sun to light shade. Portfolio Red Cloud Maiden Grass grows striking maroon flower spikes in mid-summer and gives a bright accent to any garden or bed.

It carries its color well into fall and prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun. www.siteone.com

DIRT LOCKER

Hillside Terracing Planters Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic, Dirt Lockers sustainably transform problem slopes into stable, usable, and attractive landscapes. These interlocking planters create a visually appealing, terrace network that provides level planting surfaces, retaining soil and collecting rainfall. Their semi-circular design complements most slopes, enhancing plant growth by preventing erosion and water loss, but also allowing safer access. The system promotes robust root growth, further stabilizing the slope and significantly reducing runoff.

The system minimizes soil erosion, reduces irrigation requirements, and allows better access to hillsides while creating a long-lasting, environmentally responsible landscape. Dirt Lockers are easy to install and come in a variety of sizes to suit most hillside projects. They represent a cost-effective solution for slope stabilization and landscape enhancement, bringing visual appeal, security, and lasting environmental benefits. www.dirtlocker.com

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SYNKD Spring 2025 33

Going Underground in

The Mile High City Denver employs an advanced below-ground infrastructure to handle stormwater and promote urban tree growth.

16

th Street in Denver, CO, has long been a cultural and commercial landmark, stretching across 12 city blocks with a pedestrian-friendly design envisioned by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and landscape architect Laurie Olin in 1982. However, after four decades, the corridor faced critical infrastructure challenges, including outdated stormwater management systems and failing tree-planting methods.

Today, through a $172.5 million revitalization project, the city has embraced cutting-edge green infrastructure solutions—including advanced stormwater management systems and modular soil cell technology—to create a more sustainable and resilient urban environment. The transformation not only preserves 16th Street’s aesthetic but also introduces modern engineering innovations that address climate-related challenges and infrastructure demands.

At the heart of 16th Street’s design is its iconic diamond-patterned promenade, composed of granite pavers originally inspired by both the patterns of Navajo blankets and western diamondback rattlesnake

34 SYNKD Spring 2025

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synkd | Solutions

skin. While visually stunning, the original 1982 drainage and subsurface infrastructure had significantly deteriorated, leading to pavement and tree failures, and unsuitable conditions for a progressive city like Denver. The redesign had to balance design preservation with the need for modern functionality, all while integrating green infrastructure seamlessly into the space.

What Lies Beneath Addressing these subterranean challenges required a fusion of engineering innovation and environmental sensitivity. Traditional stormwater solutions had succumbed to Denver’s unpredictable freeze-thaw cycles, necessitating a paradigm shift. The answer lay in a bespoke, curb-less slot drain system, artfully concealed beneath the historic pavers. Unlike conventional drainage designs, this system is hidden in plain sight beneath the pavers, ensuring the aesthetic integrity of the promenade while preventing water from pooling and undermining structural stability.

Revolutionizing Urban Forestry Pei’s original vision included a lush tree canopy along the pedestrian mall, but the 1982 planting system relied on precast concrete planters that restricted root growth and an outdated soil cell system. As a result, many trees struggled to survive.

To rectify this, the city introduced an advanced engineered deep soil zone (EDSZ) system, Stratavault™ from Citygreen. Historically referred to as a ‘soil cell solution,’ Stratavault goes further, delivering trafficable load support for pavements and roads as well as large volumes of uncompacted soil, allowing deep structural roots to develop, and stormwater to be retained, clearly benefitting both tree longevity and drainage.

The reconstructed mall now has 220 new mature trees comprised of 10 different species. Each block contains continuous soil volumes

providing a minimum of 1,000 cubic feet of soil per tree. This sustainable tree canopy solution will become the largest installation of trees in a suspended paving system in the state of Colorado.

Engineered for Everything A key challenge in the redevelopment of 16th Street was designing a space that accommodated both pedestrians and transit while preserving the trees and underground systems, in the shared zones.

To meet the challenge, two layers of Stratavault were used: one supporting essential services such as drainage and utilities, and a second serving as a reinforced bridge-like structure to support the tree roots without compacting the soil beneath.

Additionally, a custom-engineered tree grate system, Invisigrate™, was developed by Citygreen to integrate seamlessly with the pavers.

Unlike traditional grates, Invisigrate is installed beneath the pavement, maintaining the mall’s design aesthetic while providing essential root protection and aeration. These tree grates were engineered to withstand loads of up to 16,000 pounds per wheel, ensuring they could endure both transit vehicles and occasional heavy delivery trucks without compromising tree health.

Left top: Spanning 12 city blocks with 200+ trees, Denver’s 16th Street transformation is due for completion this year. Left bottom: 16th Street has returned to being a hive of activity. Below: Pedestrians, transit, utilities and trees in shared zone. Right top: Stormwater drainage ‘hidden in plain sight’ in curb-less transition (Photo: Bowman Construction Supply). Right bottom: Hidden Stratavault EDSZ supporting the needs of trees and trafficable areas.

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SYNKD Spring 2025 35

synkd | Solutions

Citygreen conducted a detailed structural engineering analysis of their custom-designed tree grate to ensure performance, strength, and safety. The engineers employed Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a computer modelling technique, to precisely predict how the structure would respond to real-world stresses like pedestrian and vehicle loads.

Using stringent industry standards (AASHTO and AISC), the analysis assessed critical factors such as stress distribution, maximum deformation, and potential plastic strain to validate design durability.

Extensive evaluations were performed at multiple loading points, confirming the structure met or exceeded all requirements for strength and stiffness, with maximum stresses occurring at expected connection points. This rigorous approach was instrumental to compliance sign off and exemplified Citygreen’s unique capability to design and deliver a tailored solution for Denver’s landmark project that also met Buy America compliance.

Redesigned for Resilience Sustainability played a central role in the mall’s transformation. Denver has long been a leader in environmental initiatives, and aligning with the city’s climate resilience goals was essential. The expanded tree canopy not only enhances the urban landscape but also contributes

to carbon sequestration, improves air quality, and mitigates the urban heat island effect.

It sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban renewal projects.

By integrating advanced stormwater management techniques and engineered deep soil zone systems, Denver has not only restored an iconic public space but also future-proofed it for generations to come.

With completion expected later this year, the transformed 16th Street will stand as a testament to the power of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in shaping vibrant, green, and future-ready urban environments.

As cities worldwide face increasing climate challenges, this project serves as a model for how urban infrastructure can be designed with resilience in mind. By prioritizing green solutions, ensuring compatibility with existing utilities, and maintaining historical integrity, Denver’s approach provides a scalable template for reimagining city landscapes in the face of climate change.

The success of the 16th Street redevelopment was made possible through a collaborative effort between the city and county of Denver, RTD, Downtown Denver Partnership, Jacobs, Stantec, Olin, Dig Studio Landscape Architects, Brightview Landscaping, Bowman Construction Supply, Atkinson-Nolan & Associates, Martin & Martin Consulting Engineers, and PCL Construction. n

All photos in this article courtesy of Dig Studio Landscape Architects unless otherwise noted.

Left: Invisigrate tree grate passes load testing of 16,000 lbs. per wheel. Bottom: A photo rendering.

36 SYNKD Spring 2025

FOR MORE INFO

Citygreen USA (888) 999-3990 info@citygreen.com www.citygreen.com

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synkd | Podcast

SEEDS OF WISDOM Shortt takes * from Shor

It costs a lot of money to treat turf, plants, and trees. We need to be smart in using the client’s money in the best way possible.

Chemicals just keep getting more expensive and more people are asking for organic treatments.

They don’t want synthetic chemicals and fertilizers on their lawns.

—Mizraim Mata The Greenery Inc.

After that first year, we started to gain some credibility. There were a couple of commercial accounts that really helped us prove ourselves. And then that was the main focus. We were able to start building up those bigger contracts and filter out some of the work we didn’t want. [Now] we’re very strategic about the type of work we pick up and who we work with.

We filter our prospects. We want clients who aren’t going after the lowest bidder, people who clearly want to invest in enhancements throughout the year, those who come up with a year-plan or a five-year plan for design work, people who are really interested in actual value.

—James Lawrence Lawrence Landscape Group

Between year five and eight, I really, really doubled down on systemization and trying to show everybody else in the company what ‘good’ looked like. Teach them what I had learned in the first few years about running the business. How do we actually make money? What does estimated versus actual hours look like on a day-to-day basis for the work? What are our production rates? Really teaching everybody in the company how to actually win.

To me it felt like drawing back to my hockey years. It was all about finding a way to teach everybody else how to win the game and then creating a plan before we would start to work. And making sure everybody understood what that plan was.

Drawing from my sports years, I started to feel like I wanted a team around me that really, truly understood what we were there to do and how we were going to do it. That’s what I focused on. And what then happened afterward was, still to this day, mind blowing! We went from $5 million to $50 million in 15 years.

—Mark Bradley Leanscaper

*Edited for clarity

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SYNKD Spring 2025 37

synkd | Trees

Understanding

TREES [Part 3]

Post-Planting Care

P

ost-planting care is essential in the quality of life, longevity, and aesthetics of any urban tree. The first five years after planting will determine the rest of the tree’s life. If we adhere to my three standards of living— quality trees, proper planting, and proper post-planting care—we can produce trees that will reach their fullest potential. Here are a few post-planting essentials you will need to produce a beautiful, healthy, and structurally sound tree.

Monitor soil moisture. Check the soil moisture in newly planted trees two to three times a week during the first growing season. Adjust as needed. Most people tend to overwater, especially if the tree is planted in a lawn.

Prune “temporary” branches. Pruning young, newly planted trees is different than pruning older trees. Ideally, all the branches on a young, single-stem, newly planted tree are temporary. They should not be part of a tree as it grows. Leaving a temporary branch usually leads to limb failure sometime between eight and 15 years after planting.

Keep an eye on lower trunk branches.

Leaving the small limbs on the lower 1/3 of the trunk until they are about 1/2 inch in

38 SYNKD Spring 2025

diameter will help with structural integrity by increasing the diameter of the trunk.

Correctly remove any remaining lower branches once the tree can stand upright without support.

Address duplicate branching.

Many trees produce two stems on a branch that grow in the same pattern. One of these branches may need to be removed to prevent a future limb failure from included bark. (Included bark, or ingrown bark, occurs when bark is trapped between two closely growing branches, creating a weak point in the tree structure that can lead to splitting or breakage.) Removing one of the duplicate branches/stems helps reduce density and partially opens the canopy without causing epicormic growth.

Select one leader if double leaders.

There are a few remedies for young trees with double leaders. Select the leader that is least desirable for removal. It could be smaller or growing at a greater angle than the other leader. In many cases one of the double leaders is the trunk and the other is a branch. Look for the branch bark ridge to tell the difference. Prune the branch double leader most of the time if all other criteria are equal.

Most double leaders are caused by topping in the nursery and too much nitrogen fertilizer. If this is the case, there may not be a true trunk. Both leaders are branches.

When this happens, leave the leader that is best and correctly prune the other one.

Remove crossing branches.

Crossing branches should be removed as soon as possible. Crossing branches go against a tree’s natural shape and can rub against another branch or trunk causing a wound.

Prune elite (vertical growing) branches.

Elites, suckers, or water sprouts essentially mean the same thing. My main concern with young trees is vertical epicormic growth, or what I call elites. Elites usually grow from an injury including topping/heading cuts, insects, disease, or mechanical damage. Vertical growing branches should be pruned as soon as you see them. Take care to only remove the elite. Do not prune into the branch wood or more elites will grow.

Remove basal branches.

Basal branches are located near the tree root and usually mean something is damaging the tree including disease, insects, mechanical, pruning, or planting too deep. Prune basal sprouts without damaging the root/trunk flare.

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synkd | Trees

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SYNKD Spring 2025 39

synkd | Trees

Basal sprouts can be difficult to stop. Many trees with basal sprouting do not live a full, quality life.

LEARN MORE This article concludes our three-part series on Understanding Trees.

Maintain branch spacing.

A critical component of post planting tree care is maintaining a good distance between branches. Topped trees produce several to many branches in and around the topping cut. They must be pruned early to reduce the chances of limb failure eight to 12 years after planting.

Read the Part 1 article about how to inspect trees prior to purchase:

Remove stakes at the right time. Stakes are temporary support. Stakes should be removed one or two years after planting or when the tree roots are established and the trunk is strong enough to support the entire tree. Stakes around trees in a lawn can be cut about 1 foot above the ground to protect the trunk against mechanical injury from weed eaters and mowers.

Read the Part 2 article about tree planting:

AUTHOR

Scott Seargeant Seargeant Landscape & Arboriculture

Trees should outlive us. They do in natural settings. However, more than 50% of our urban trees die before they reach maturity. Remember, don’t just plant and walk away. n

www.sgtlandscape.com The release of Seargeant’s book Early Tree Care is due out later this year.

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Stay updated with industry trends, innovative projects and expert interviews.

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Memberships start at $60/year. Visit synkd.io today.

KELLY DOWELL THE POWER OF PERSONAL BRANDING YOU DON’T NEED ALL THE ANSWERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I

f you’ve ever stopped at a LinkedIn post from another landscaper thinking, “I should be sharing my thoughts too”—but haven’t done it—this advice is for you.

If you’ve ever hesitated to put yourself out there because you weren’t sure anyone would care what you had to say—this advice is for you.

And if you’ve ever told yourself, “My company’s work should speak for itself. I don’t need to post online”—this advice is especially for you.

Because here’s the truth: The green industry doesn’t just need businesses. It needs leaders. And if you’re reading this magazine, that means you.

Yet so many landscape professionals stay quiet. Not because they don’t have anything to share, but because putting yourself out there can feel uncomfortable. Maybe you worry about saying the wrong thing.

Maybe you don’t think your experience is “big” enough to matter. Maybe you’ve seen others post and thought, that’s just not me. Or maybe you’re using lack of time as the excuse.

I get it. But here’s the thing—we’re all busy and the people making an impact aren’t the ones who have all the time or all the answers. They’re the ones who are willing to share what they do know.

Company Page vs. …

A company page has its place. It serves as the storefront of your business, showcasing finished projects, promoting services, and

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Kelly Dowell, Founder of onlawn.io reinforcing credibility. It’s where a landscape design-build firm in Michigan might post before-and-after photos of a backyard transformation or where a commercial maintenance company in Texas might highlight a contract renewal with a major HOA. A strong company page helps validate expertise and professionalism.

But a company page alone isn’t enough.

It can show polished work, but it’s tough to start a real conversation. It can display the finished product, but it can’t tell a personal story of what went wrong on the job site and how the crew problem-solved in real time.

A company page might generate inquiries, but it won’t build deep trust the way a personal connection will.

… Personal Profile People don’t build relationships with logos. They build relationships with people.

That’s why your personal profile is where real impact happens.

A general manager sharing lessons from a pool install derailed by unexpected bedrock will resonate with others facing job-site surprises. A second-generation business owner reflecting on taking over their father’s company will strike a chord with others in family-owned enterprises. A crew leader explaining how they trained a new employee to master a technique will resonate far beyond just the company’s team.

These personal stories, insights, and experiences are what make someone stand out as a leader. The more you share your knowl-

edge and experiences, the more people start to see you as a trusted voice in the industry.

Start Small It’s easy to assume that sharing your perspective means making bold, confident statements or having decades of experience to back up your words. But that’s not what people connect with. They connect with honesty and with people who are learning and growing just as they are.

If speaking up feels uncomfortable, start small. Comment on a post that resonates with you. Share a quick tip that helped you on a job site this week. Reflect on a challenge you faced and how you handled it.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real.

The more you show up, the more comfortable it becomes. The more comfortable it becomes, the more opportunities you create. And before long, you’ll realize that people weren’t just waiting to hear from your business. They were waiting to hear from you. n

AUTHOR

Kelly Dowell Founder

onlawn.io Kelly@onlawn.io www.onlawn.io

SYNKD Spring 2025

41

BUY The high cost of not having a procurement strategy.

By Schylaur Moody

I

didn’t set out to be a procurement strategist. Like most people in the landscape industry, I just figured it out as I went— sourcing materials, navigating supply issues, and dealing with the constant chaos of last-minute purchasing. Yet I wasn’t alone.

I saw the same thing over and over: contractors scrambling for what was available, overpaying for materials, and dealing with avoidable delays.

The problem? Nobody was talking about procurement as a strategy. It was just a necessary evil—something you did because you had to, not because it could actually help your business run better.

But here’s the truth: The way you buy materials can make or break your profitability. The industry is shifting, especially now in an era of proposed tariffs, and those who get ahead of the procurement game will be the ones who win. When procurement stops being a money-draining challenge, it becomes a money-saving competitive advantage.

Sound Familiar?

Most businesses don’t realize how much money is lost to poor procurement habits. It’s not just about what you pay for materials— it’s about how those purchases impact everything else in your operations. Ask yourself: • Are you tracking material costs over time, or just accepting whatever price you’re given?

42 SYNKD Spring 2025

© fauxels | pexels.com

Beyond the

• Does your estimating, project management, and purchasing team work together, or are orders placed last-minute?

• Are you making strategic sourcing decisions, or just hoping the materials you need are in stock?

• Are your vendors truly partners, or just names on an order form?

Let’s examine these issues—and some suggested solutions—in more detail: 1. Paying More Than You Should.

Last-minute orders usually mean paying higher prices. Without vendor agreements or pre-planned sourcing, businesses are forced to take whatever they can get— and often that comes at a premium.

A big part of controlling costs is having one point of contact for procurement.

When multiple team members are placing orders independently, pricing becomes inconsistent, vendors receive mixed signals, and cost tracking falls apart.

Consolidating procurement through a single decision-maker or process allows for smarter buying and stronger vendor negotiations.

2. Constant Delays & Scrambling for Substitutions. We’ve all seen it—projects getting held up because the plants or materials aren’t available when they’re needed.

A lack of planning creates unnecessary chaos, leaving contractors scrambling for whatever they can find last-minute.

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synkd | Business

This is where vendor onboarding comes in. Just like a well-trained employee can operate more efficiently, a properly onboarded vendor can better support your needs. By setting clear expectations—pricing structures, preferred communication methods, lead times, and emergency protocols— contractors can eliminate a huge amount of last-minute scrambling.

3. No Real Control Over Spending or Supply Chain Stability. Most businesses don’t have a clear system for tracking where their money goes when it comes to procurement. That means hidden costs, unpredictable pricing, and zero leverage in supplier negotiations One of the most overlooked factors in procurement is communication. When estimators, project managers, and purchasing teams aren’t aligned, materials get delayed, orders are duplicated or forgotten, and costs spiral out of control. A structured procurement process ensures that everyone—from the job site to the supplier—stays on the same page.

Procurement as Competitive Advantage What if procurement was a competitive advantage? The businesses that are winning in this industry are doing one thing differently: They aren’t just buying materials—they’re strategically procuring them. They’re making procurement a core part of their business instead of treating it like an afterthought. And because of that, they’re: • Locking in better pricing instead of riding market fluctuations • Reducing delays by planning materials well in advance • Building stronger vendor relationships to get priority access to what they need And the most successful ones? They don’t treat vendor relationships as one-off transactions— they treat them as long-term partnerships. A strong vendor relationship isn’t just about getting the best price today—it’s about building a supply chain that protects your business over the long run. Contractors who foster real partnerships with vendors get access to: • Priority materials when shortages hit • More flexible pricing options and payment terms • Better problem-solving when unexpected challenges arise

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Instead of switching suppliers based on whoever has stock at the moment, successful contractors invest in relationships that ensure stability, reliability, and trust.

How It Works Let’s break down how strategic procurement works and where to start if you want to fix existing challenges in your business purchasing. If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry—it’s actually not as complicated as you might imagine. The key is to start small and build from there, using the principles mentioned above as step-by-step action items.

• Review Your Current Purchasing Habits.

Look at past purchases. Are you constantly making last-minute orders? Do you know how much prices have changed over time?

• Get Your Team on the Same Page.

Procurement shouldn’t be a one-person job. Estimators, project managers, and purchasing teams must work together so materials are sourced before they’re needed, not after.

• Develop Vendor Partnerships, Not Just Transactions. Stop jumping between suppliers based on availability alone.

Building strong vendor relationships ensures priority access, better pricing, and long-term consistency.

• Create a Procurement Framework. The most effective procurement strategies revolve around four key elements: 1. One point of contact to manage and streamline sourcing.

2. A vendor onboarding process that sets expectations early and prevents misalignment. This includes the onboarding process of crew teams and subcontractors.

3. Clear communication between estimating, purchasing, and job site teams to avoid costly errors and/or delays.

4. Stronger vendor relationships that create supply chain stability and long-term benefits.

When these elements are in place, procurement stops being a challenge and becomes a competitive advantage. Procurement is no longer just about placing orders.

It’s about positioning your business to be more profitable, efficient, and resilient. The companies that make procurement a priority today will be the ones that dominate the industry tomorrow. The question is—are you ready to be one of them? n

How $ Tariffs Could Affect Procurement in Landscaping With potential tariffs coming, it’s worth asking—how might this impact the way we source materials? Whether it’s site furnishings, plants, or specialty products, contractors should start thinking about cost shifts, lead time delays, and sourcing changes.

For example, I once sourced benches for a project from a manufacturer in Barcelona. The price was already high due to it being international, and we waited months for production. If tariffs had gone into effect mid-process, it would’ve meant even higher costs and longer delays.

If you’re using long-lead-time or international products, now’s the time to ask: • Do I know which materials could be impacted?

• Am I in communication with vendors about upcoming changes?

• Are there local or nationally available alternatives that could reduce risk?

Even if tariffs don’t directly affect your current jobs, planning ahead and exploring new sourcing options now can help avoid major disruptions later.

AUTHOR

Schylaur Moody Founder & Procurement Strategist Levi’s Leaf (469) 478-0581 office@levisleafnursery.com

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FOCAL POINT

Inside Out Landscape Design

Promoting eco-landscaping since 2007

By Christine Menapace, Editor

E

cological landscaping is increasingly popular as climate change, pollinator decline, and water scarcity dominate headlines. Yet Andrea and Michael Mueller had the vision to practice sustainability long before such principles enjoyed the current client demand. They launched Kentucky-based Inside Out Landscape Design, LLC back in 2007, working from a makeshift office in their home, with the idea that they could set a higher standard in landscaping by designing and installing personalized landscapes using ecologically responsible practices.

“Was starting off with an eco-focus in 2007 difficult? Yes, especially because of the recession of 2008—but we made it and did well despite that,” comments Andrea. “I think it still has its challenges today in helping people understand and value the importance

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of design and sustainability. The right clients find us though, and we’re able to educate on the value of ecologically friendly landscapes, and we are grateful for that.”

Walking the Walk Today Inside Out is the only certified professional landscape designer in Kentucky.

Andrea became certified through the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) in 2015 and was recently awarded Fellow Status through APLD. The firm offers landscape design, installation, maintenance, pool design/installation, and prairie creation.

“We’ve always been design-build-maintain and do not mow,” explains Andrea. The mix of clients is about 60-70% residential and 30-40% commercial—but all are focused on green landscape practices. “We’ve made sustainability an integral part of our business practice

by including the use of native and resilient plants, practical hardscapes, and drainage solutions so our client’s yards or businesses can thrive with minimal intervention,” says Andrea.

Perhaps it’s no surprise then that Inside Out recently earned the Environmentally SYNKD award at SYNKD Live this past January. A key element of their award was the design of their own offices, where sustainability isn’t just drafted into plans for clients, it’s lived-in every day.

Some of the sustainable interior features of the office include: geothermal heating, cooling, and domestic hot water; open cell spray foam

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installation; and reclaimed elements such as barn lumber, shelves, kitchen cabinets, chalkboards, and even corkboards. On the exterior are 76 solar panels, which provide 100 percent of the office’s shop and car energy usage, a Gavalume metal roof, which reflects heat; and Hardie® panel siding.The company even owns two electric vehicles that are charged off the solar panels.

Landscape features include a partial earth berm office building, an earth berm greenhouse, a vegetative living roof, and permeable pavers for parking and the driveway center strip. Additionally, approximately four acres of no-mow native prairie, reforested areas, a Certified Monarch Waystation, and a rain garden are planted with drought tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and native plant selections. It’s clearly a far cry from the once makeshift home office.

“Starting in our home was definitely a growing pain … we quickly outgrew having meetings and four people in a tiny room for an office!” recalls Andrea. “We started with five people, one crew, and today have grown to a full office staff including an office manager, an accountant, two designers, one operations manager, two project managers, and three crews—one for hardscape, one for landscape, and one for maintenance.” She continues, “We built our new office in 2011.

Now, having the office, greenhouse, dedicated plant lot, hardscape storage and bins, mulch bins, and shops is a game changer!”

Growing Pains When asked what other growing pains the company has experienced, Andrea laughs.

“So many growing pains ... where do I begin?”

Here are her top three:

Systems. “Mostly systems [was a challenge], which we’ve developed and honed in over the years. I feel really great about our systems now,” comments Andrea. “Every year we do a deep dive into how to improve all aspects of business with the entire team, which is extremely important. We believe in continual and ongoing improvement.”

Employees. “Finding the right employees/ team members to fill positions that fit with our company values and labor in general has been difficult. That’s why we stay small but mighty! Most of our employees have been with us for years, we retain top talent in our industry. Most recently, we used the H-2B program to assist with labor positions which we are unable to fill with workers from the United States. It has had a few snafus, but overall is great.”

Projects. “Finding the right size and type of project. We specialize and are passionate about eco-friendly landscaping, and it’s definitely a niche here in Kentucky. But I would also add an element of growth was learning to say ‘no’ to clients and projects that were a bad fit—as well as truly understanding our values to determine the ‘good fit’ clients. It took many years to learn this.”

Family Roots So how does one develop a passion for eco-landscaping? For Andrea, it’s a story of family. “I was raised in the horticulture industry by my dad, Charlie Wilson, who started Wilson Nurseries in 1979. And both of my grandmothers were avid gardeners— one is 92 and still piddles in her garden,” says Andrea. “My dad started in retail and

All photos this page Beaver Creek Hydrology site

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installation and the business grew to encompass a 500-acre wholesale nursery/tree farm, design-build services, and a huge retail as well as wholesale center.”

She continues, “When I was a teenager I thought I didn’t want anything to do with the business. I got my bachelor’s in Interior Design and quickly learned I needed to be outside. Soon after, I started working for my dad, and when he tragically died in a car accident six months after my college graduation, the family business was taken over by his wife.

Much of my training at his garden center was in very traditional landscaping with invasive species—as was typical for the time. But I self-educated, as well as attended hundreds of classes, on sustainable landscape practices and native plants because that is where my heart is.”

Community Contributions But Inside out Landscape Design doesn’t just carry a passion for ecology in its heart, it funds it through its wallet. The company has used most of its profits for conservation of land, continual invasive species removal, native plantings, and community projects. “YES! This is what it’s all about,” exclaims Andrea.

“We recently purchased 22 more acres to piece my grandparent’s farm back together and have worked for over 15 years to remove

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We believe landscaping is about so much more than plants. the huge amount of invasive species— primarily bush and vine honeysuckle, garlic mustard, wintercreeper, multiflora rose, pear trees and more!

“Our land is situated on the Elkhorn Creek. It’s a special place full of great spring ephemerals, native trees, and we have even been blessed with an eagle’s nest that has produced eight eaglets since 2020!” Andrea continues, “Working the land is so rewarding, especially if I’ve sat in the office all day. In spring, we do the bulk of the cleanups. We also have another property where we do a lot of invasive removal and reforestation.

In addition to removal, we are currently planting

a five-acre prairie at the office to increase habitat as well as expanding our office edible garden.”

But the landscape restoration work isn’t just at family- or company-owned properties.

“In total, we have restored hundreds of acres of land total through invasive removal, prairie restoration, and reforestation. As part of this, we create dead hedges for nesting insects and mammals,” says Andrea.

A good example of a new “living” take on a dead hedge is a 2020 community project Inside Out created at Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP). Completed in 2022, Inside Out designed a living sculpture, the MetamorphoNest, that includes 17 types of trees and shrubs were selected for their pollinator host potential. Grasses, sedges, and 16 different perennials were also incorporated into a seed mix that is growing along with the trees and shrubs. Not only has the Nest evolved in size and shape over time, but blooms and leaf changes occur throughout each season.

Interactive and beneficial to both wildlife and

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humans, the sculpture is the first of its kind for JSP and it is the largest community donation to date by Inside Out. In addition to the Metamorpho-Nest, Inside Out has contributed several outdoor classrooms to regional schools, such as Franklin County. And while these endeavors expose the public to new forms of eco-friendly landscaping, the firm can also feel satisfaction, knowing its client-based projects are also contributing to better functioning ecosystems.

In a commercial project for WesBanco (pictured p.0 44), weathered steel, used to frame raised plant beds, is a nod to the history of the bank’s original location in Wheeling, known for steel. The manmade materials of pavers, concrete, and steel are softened with plants that are not only native, pollinator-friendly, hardy, and drought tolerant plants, but provide year-round visual interest.

Sea oats elegantly sway in the breeze, while wild chives provide subtle pops of color interspersed with feathery native grasses. Along the building’s exterior, tall arborvitae provide height, while electric green hakone grass spills over the edge of the raised bed. Andrea calls it a “challenging but exciting project!”

At Beaver Creek commercial site, land with poor, compacted industrial soil and an invasive-cluttered woodland, was transformed into an outdoor oasis of 100% native plants and 175 trees. With water as a focal point for this hydrology company, it was showcased in a permeable dry creek bed, custom corten beams that double as gutters and mimic logs in a stream, and visually appealing rain chains.

The site will serve as a sort of classroom where people can learn about native plantings used for stream restoration, and how water can be a creative element of design.

Andrea sums up the goal of Inside Out with this: “We believe landscaping is about so much more than plants. It’s about improving the lives of their clients with livable outdoor spaces that encourage togetherness and an appreciation of nature.” n All photos courtesy of Inside Out Landscape Design

FOR MORE INFO

Andrea Mueller

Owner of Inside Out Landscape Design www.kentuckylandscapedesign.com

The Metamorpho-Nest

SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE

JANUARY 28-30, 2026 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Watch 2025 highlights here:

Stay tuned for a second location to be announced!

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GROUNDBREAKER 60+ countries, hundreds of projects, one amazing career Kona Gray, FASLA, PLA, rarely needs an introduction. Current president of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and a principal at EDSA, he has built an incredible 39-year career. Synkd recently chatted with Gray about his background, inspirations, and projects. Read the article below, edited for clarity and length, and listen to the full podcast at https://youtu.be/Y2n4oFYvgKQ.

Kona Gray

n By Christine Menapace, Editor The beginning is a good place to start. You grew up in Liberia, which is intriguing. Can you tell us about your childhood?

I feel very lucky to have had the experience of growing up in Liberia. I was born in the states. My parents immigrated to the US in the 1960s for university and both my sister and I were born in Cambridge, MA. We went to Seattle for my parents’ graduate studies, then we moved back to Liberia. That was an amazing experience. So from the early ’70s to around 1980, I spent in Africa. It was some of the most impactful years of my life in terms of aligning me with what I do now, what I love, being in the environment, and designing for people.

Gray as a child with his family in Seattle, 1970

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Your dad is an architect and you first majored in fine art, then architecture, and eventually landed on landscape architecture (LA). How did that kind of come to be and what clicked with LA? Yeah, it certainly wasn’t a straight shot for me. I think that is true of many people. You find your passion as life evolves and unfolds.

My dad is actually 85 years old, still an architect, still practicing in Liberia. He is definitely someone I admire tremendously for his grit and tenacity. One big inspiration for me in the world of art and creativity is Sidney Poitier. And Sidney Poitier and my father have a lot in common. Just that ‘nothing will stop me’ kind of drive—but with the care for doing it the right way.

My dad didn’t encourage me to be an architect. He encouraged me to focus on what makes me happy, what I love, and to certainly always do the right thing. I grew up in a strong religious family with a lot of focus on the golden rule and just being a good person.

I started drawing at an early age because my dad would bring home his work. It’s an architecture thing, they just don’t know when to stop designing! And so at our kitchen table, he would be drawing, I would be drawing, and I would show him my drawings to get his input. It was really a great relationship to design from the get-go.

I went to Boston Architectural College (BAC) and that was very rigorous. You are required to work during the day to attain practical hours, then all your classes and studios are in the evenings.

In my studio courses, there was a focus on the object of a building. But I kept adding

stuff to my renderings like people, cars. And my professor, I remember this vividly, was like, ‘I want to see your architecture.’ And I was like, ‘No, that’s not real! It doesn’t exist like that.’ So I’m sure I frustrated the youknow-what out of him. But there was that little lightbulb that popped for me.

Because it was going to take me so long to finish BAC, I worked my way back to Georgia and thought I’d go to Georgia Tech, but their architecture courses didn’t align with my timing. Then I was with a friend from the University of Georgia, just hanging out, and she says, ‘Well, Georgia has a program called landscape architecture. Maybe you would consider that?’

I was like, ‘What the hell is that?’ No idea.

Then I sat down with the program chair.

He looked at me, started checking boxes and says, ‘I’ll have you in and out of here in a year and a half.’ I was like, ‘sold!’ Still to this day, I’m so grateful. Things happen for a reason, little by little. And I give a lot of credit to my friend.

Over those early years, I learned how to go with the universe, ride the waves, just let life take you where you should go.

Speaking of where to go, you’ve been to 30+ countries. Is there a culture/country you feel is pushing the boundaries of LA? Yeah, there are so many. I’m fortunate to be a part of a global design company. Sometimes I pinch myself because I’m on a plane going somewhere to design with clients and communities in far places. I’ve been really mesmerized by our planet and how wonderful it is. All over the world are these unique landscapes and we’ve worked in pretty much every part of it.

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Yet there are two places I have not been to, but I’ve researched, studied, and am intrigued with them—Japan and Singapore. I’ve actually traveled to 60+ countries, but I haven’t been to those two. And I really want to go.

In Singapore, there’s a major emphasis on the functionality of the landscape in terms of what it does to support a very small diamond-shaped island. They have limited land and so having areas available for the environment to do what it needs to do essentially keeps them safe. It makes their lives better.

There’s not a lot of traffic or smog. It’s just beautiful from what I’ve researched. That’s why I’m inspired by Singapore. The Japanese have also revered the landscape for centuries. Eighty percent of the country is covered by forest. It just shows you their attention to care, understanding, and respect for the environment. And that just aligns with my spirit.

It’s ingrained in their culture. I feel like in the U.S., it’s almost an effort to get people to recognize the value of the environment.

I know. I don’t get it. The indigenous people of this country understood it. If you go and do a little bit of research, you’ll see it’s ingrained in multiple cultures. They only utilized what they needed. Through our industrial revolution and our technological revolution, we’ve gotten so far away from that. What we really need is an environmental revolution.

This, I believe, will reset the world. But most importantly, reset the U.S. because we have this wealth of land. There’s so much land here that it’s misunderstood and underappreciated. And it’s just … it’s sad. When I look at tiny countries with just a little bit of land, they get it. They care for it because they don’t have a lot. But they treat it like it’s a lot.

to the community. The Crosswaters is open to the public. It’s a botanical garden. And the reason it’s called Crosswaters is when you arrive, you lose your car and you cross a bamboo bridge. It’s basically a spiritual retreat and there’s limited units. They’re all tucked in the bamboo forest. You can’t tell where the architecture stops and the landscape begins and vice versa. It’s all interwoven together. It’s definitely one of my favorites. It’s fantastic.

The other one that inspires me was a ‘making-a-difference’ project we did here in north Miami. It was an abandoned site in an underserved community. The site had been in the ownership of Miami-Dade County Parks for 50 years and was supposed to be a park, but it was a junkyard. The county had it in their surplus and it just sat there. So the stars aligned again and through a close friend, a contractor named Tom Miller, and a local TV station, we came together and donated services to transform this property for the community.

What did the space incorporate? Was it gardens or playground, a combo of both?

We went through a very intriguing process, but a process rooted in LA, where we worked with the community to bring their visions, their ideas, to life. It took a lot of trust-building because they were very skeptical. No one had paid attention to them for decades.

But through the process of design, we got to know them. We listened to the community, took their input. They were like, ‘You’re going to pull some playground out of your catalog and drop it here.’ We were like ‘no, that’s not how we do it.’

Once we got to a point of trust and care for each other, the process moved very smoothly. It was really fantastic. I always tell the story of a young girl that was part of the design workshop. I asked her, ‘What would you like to see?’ She answers, ‘I really want an orange slide.’ I said, ‘orange slide? Ok, can I ask why?’ And she says, ‘The Miami Dolphins are my favorite sports teams and they are orange, and I love orange.’ So she got her orange slide.

Everything was donated, the materials, time, everything. I called upon colleagues who were like, ‘Yeah, we’ll do this.’ They rolled up their sleeves and pulled it together.

Cutting that ribbon and seeing the entire community come together was … I mean, I had tears, tears of joy.

It was multi-generational and the design was inspired by a flower. One portion was dedicated to the roots, the kids. We had areas for children to experience nature play and formal play. The next section was the stem, the parents. In that area we had walking paths and fitness equipment. The last section was the bloom, the elders. This had very contemplative seating areas, where wisdom is disseminated. It was such a great experience to draw this out together. That’s why I love doing what I do. It’s not an effort of work. It’s just a passion.

At Synkd Live you mentioned working on another cultural project, the Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, TX. Though it’s still in development stages, what can you share?

With this project, again, I pinch myself because in life you don’t always see these things

In your own projects, are there one or two that stand out for a particular reason?

Yeah, there’s one that was earlier in my career. My mentor and our partner in charge at the time, Joe Lalli, and I really worked closely on this project with another colleague, Hitesh Mehta, who is amazing. We were just so fortunate to work on this eco-destination in China. It’s located in the bamboo forest.

The project is called Crosswaters. It’s an award-winning project.

You know when the stars align and you have that client that just gets it? We experienced that. We actually had a Feng Shui master on this project because we wanted to make sure it was spiritually centered. It was so cool. I’m in this design studio, everybody really pulling together. I’ve always been intrigued by projects that not only solve a business approach for a client, but give back

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The Crosswaters in China

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happen. It’s like, my goodness, this is something we really want to do. Our involvement began with an invitation from the architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). They were looking for an LA with sensitivity. interested in going on a journey. For anyone aware of museum projects, or any projects where they have to raise money, they take time.

The matriarch of this project is Opal Lee. She’s responsible for bringing the movement together to establish Juneteenth as a holiday.

She actually walked to Washington, D.C., with her team of supporters. She’s 98. She’s amazing. When Joe Biden signed it into law (2021), it’s unbelievable considering the history. It’s very monumental.

We began the concept stage and drew inspiration from the Juneteenth Star. It has a lot of meaning. We also worked off the architects who took the Juneteenth Star and wove it with the traditional shotgun shack architecture vernacular. So we took the star and paired it with the landscape. One major element of the Texas landscape is the bluebonnet. We brought those two together and that was the inspiration that really drove the project.

Rooting the star with the place and identifying that expression through everything.

We saved the existing trees on-site because we wanted an instant landscape and trees are very significant. They have a lot of meaning in terms of life. One of the big ideas we brought forward is a series of gardens/ plazas around the building. My favorite is the ‘promised land plaza.’ It’s the main place where everyone gathers and has a lot of significance in African American culture.

We’ve gone through concept refinement and schematic design. We’re about to enter design development. And all along our client is raising money. It takes time to make these things happen. We’re just very thankful we Rendering of the Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, TX

have this opportunity to collaborate and be a part of such a transformative project. Maybe there’s a major benefactor out there inspired to make it happen. We’d love that!

The specially requested orange slide!

As we discuss the Juneteenth Museum, DEI initiatives are taking fire. As an advocate for attracting more minorities to LA, do you have any comments on the current state of affairs?

Sure, I definitely do. I think we shouldn’t take anything for granted in life. I think that’s first and foremost. I think we are all fortunate to be here. I think what’s important is that we consider the contributions that anyone can make, right? We’re all God’s children. Everyone has something to contribute no matter what your situation is.

When you look at DEI and the reasons why it has become such a lexicon in our culture is that it’s one of the first times people have acknowledged the importance of everyone—not just one group—everyone. From my perspective, that’s why it has bubbled up.

If the genie’s out of the bottle, you can’t stuff it back in. We have a lot of wishes we will receive, because people deserve it. People deserve to be treated fairly. That’s what equity means. It’s so simple. I don’t know why it’s been twisted. I know there’s a lot of concern that ‘I’m not going to advance because you’re doing this or you’re doing that,’ but there’s abundance for everyone.

I’ve never wanted to be treated differently because of who I am, my skin color, the color of my eyes, my dreads. I’ve always wanted to be considered a human. That levels the playing field. We’re all humans. And so when we consider that, we all should be equal. There’s a flag I have in my house that says ‘humankind, be both.’

As president of ASLA, what do you see as the organization’s role when environmental initiatives, a major focus of LA, are also under fire? How do you see this trend affecting the industry?

Yeah, it’s a crazy time, but it’s not new. I hope people know that. This stuff was going on in the ’60s and early ’70s. Then there was a major movement toward the environment because it benefited people. That’s what we all need to understand. If you just step back, think about it, and understand what we all need, it gets really easy.

So our mission is very solid at ASLA. It’s focused on designing a sustainable and equitable world through LA, full stop. Very, very simple. And we put a lot of emphasis on doing the right thing. And that’s what I love. I love to know people care and want to do the best they can through LA. We have amazing members, non-members, and community that all are going in the same direction. I tell people this is another blip in time. Don’t stop what you’re doing, right? I think our role as ASLA is to really push forward, to hold strong to our values. If something’s really egregious, speak up. If it’s kind of wonky, let it be wonky because it may be a distraction. And just keep going. Doing what we do. Don’t change who you are just because one group has decided they want to try something different. Yeah, it’s all right. It shouldn’t affect who you are.

One of the major things we want is for everyone to become more aware of LA and the green industry. We’re going to keep pushing it forward. n

FOR MORE INFO

Kona Gray

Principle at EDSA www.edsaplan.com

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