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Author: Kyla Hardon

A National Garden in Ottawa

CNLA officially supports a proposal to create a national garden of Canada as a centre of excellence which will act to: document past horticultural achievements, host living presentations of green infrastructure, and be a place for public gathering. It will educate Canadians on living green infrastructure by preserving and enhancing the quality of the natural environment, including water/air/flora and fauna.

The mission is to have the Government of Canada support and recognize that a national garden in the Capital Region of Ottawa would benefit all Canadians. Canada is the only G7 Nation without a national garden, so this is an opportunity to establish one that includes building a centre of excellence that educates youth on living green infrastructure and provide a public gathering place to introduce all ages to Canada’s rich garden heritage. By including a research component, it will be a showcase to the world.

CNLA is working closely with Canadensis to see where our efforts can be streamlined to create a national garden in Ottawa. Contact CNLA’s Stacey Porter for more information: stacey@cnla-acpp.ca

Vineland introduces 49throses.com

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has launched a new website to promote their new series of hardy roses, to be known as the 49th Parallel Collection. The site features consumer-friendly information on the Canadian Shield™, the first rose of the collection, including a searchable where-to-buy section. Visit the site at www.49throses.com
Also to be featured as the Canada Blooms 2017 Plant of the Year, Canadian Shield™ is a vibrant and beautiful red rose to be introduced to the consumer just in time to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Register for our Spring Workshop

There is Still Time to Register!
Landscape Alberta Spring Workshop & Awards Dinner
Workshop: Hilton Garden Inn, 711 4 St SE
Awards Night: Telus SPARK Centre, 220 St Georges Dr NE
Calgary, AB

Join us for our annual spring workshop taking place March 8, 2017 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Calgary. In the morning, we have Jason Cupp speaking on creating a client-centric company and hiring the best team members, and Jackie Hart in the afternoon talking on how to creating brand loyalty. These sessions are designed to help your business take advantage of and look for growth in tough times.  Hot breakfast and lunch included in the ticket price. Landscape Alberta will also be hosting our Annual General Meeting during the lunch break.

Plus! Don’t miss our Landscape Awards Night being held at the Telus SPARK Centre. Walk the red carpet, rub elbows with the best of the best and watch as we give best landscape to La La Land(scapes). Register at www.laspringworkshop2017.eventbrite.ca.

Ninth Edition of Canadian Nursery Stock Standard Now Available!

Originally published in 1967 as a guide to minimum production standards for nursery stock, the Canadian Nursery Stock Standard continues to be one of the industry’s most-referenced documents.  The Standard is reviewed regularly to ensure that it is consistent with modern production and marketplace practices.  Under the guidance of the Nursery Stock Standard Committee, this current revision is the result of two years of work involving nursery growers with various production proficiencies and representing all production types and geographic regions of Canada.  The revision process also included consultation with various user group organizations from across Canada, including landscape architects and municipalities.
Noted chair Brett Mattson (Mattson Tree Farms), the Committee acknowledges the efforts of all nursery grower participants, and extends thanks to the committee members of Bart Brusse (Sheridan Nurseries), Aaron Krahn (Lakeshore Tree Farms) and Harold Voogd (Sunstar Nurseries).  “We are especially grateful to our committee members and editors Arnold Heuver and Dr. Glen Lumis for their many hours spent to review and incorporate changes and even to contribute to the new and improved format.  Their efforts were above and beyond the high standards we have come to expect from our many dedicated volunteers.”
It is the intent of the Committee that this ninth edition will be a living document, allowing for changes and edits to be made as necessary.  The Canadian Nursery Stock Standard will therefore be available as a downloadable .PDF document only.
Also available for download is a list of relevant changes made to the ninth edition and compiled by Dr. Glen Lumis.

Are you planning to hire a student this summer?

Hundreds of Alberta employers have already applied to the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and are creating summer jobs for student hires. Students will gain valuable workplace experience and eligible employers will be reimbursed $7/hour in a wage subsidy.

STEP will support over 2,500 summer jobs across Alberta this year. Don’t miss the opportunity to boost your workforce while contributing to the future success of a student. Application deadline is February 24, 2017.

APPLY FOR STEP NOW

Landscape Alberta Advertising and Sponsorship Packages

Landscape Alberta has put together some new ways to reach potential clients and customers, including online and social media advertising. This is on top of the many advertising and sponsorship opportunities already available throughout the year.
Take a look over the flyer and if you are interested in learning more or having a package put together for your company, let me know! There are limited opportunities available, and requests will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Canadian Landscape Standard recognized by federal government

CNLA met Minister Judy Foote (Ministry of Public Services and Procurement Canada) and presented the Canadian Landscape Standard (CLS). It was recommend that the Federal Government be consistent in addressing climate change mitigation, and that green infrastructure initiatives be implemented following industry standards like the CLS.

CNLA just heard that the Public Services and Procurement Ministry reviewed the CLS and they have determined the Canadian Landscape Standard reflects what they have long aspired to do in the conceptualization and realization of landscape projects across Canada. They are conducting a further review of their policy and CNLA is working with the Deputy General who is the Department’s Technical Services Lead to further the discussion related to living green infrastructure and the CLS.

The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) (which is a voluntary partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments) had Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS) workshops in Ottawa this January. They too incorporated the Canadian Landscape Standards into the Red Seal Occupational Standards.

Order you copy of the Canadian Landscape Standard today! http://www.csla-aapc.ca/standard

DED prevention measures that can be enforced by inspectors

Under the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act (APA) “Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation (PNCR)” the Dutch elm disease (DED) pathogens, smaller European elm bark beetle (SEEBB), and the native elm bark beetle (NEBB) are named declared pests.

All municipalities, counties and MD’s in the province of Alberta have the responsibility and authority to prevent and control DED under the APA.

The APA provides a means for enforcement. Several sections of the APA and the Regulation can be applied. It is an offence not to take “active measures” and not to follow an inspector’s notice.

If a municipality does not have a local bylaw or policy on a specific pest in place, the municipal pest inspector, bylaw enforcement officer or Agricultural Fieldman could use a notice under the APA to enforce the DED Prevention/Control Measures to the land owner.

If a third party has contravened the APA, the Minister may issue a Stop Order.

Click here for “Dutch Elm Prevention/Control Measures” outlines the measures that can be enforced.

These measures can be found at http://www.stopded.org.

Best Management Practices for Bee Health in the Horticulture Industry

HRI Releases Industry BMPs for Bee Health

The Horticultural Research Institute, the research foundation of AmericanHort, is pleased to announce the release of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Bee Health in the Horticultural Industry.

BMPs are intended to inform horticultural professionals about the green industry’s impact on bee health. Through the use of BMP guidelines, horticulture can continue to play an important role in pollinator health.

In 2015, the Horticultural Research Institute recognized the need for sound research to develop best production and management practices, educate, and empower the green industry. HRI, in collaboration with AmericanHort, continues to directly fund and leverage research to refine science-based guidance on horticultural practices and protecting bee and pollinator health. As part of the broad-based Horticulture Industry Bee & Pollinator Stewardship Initiative that includes industry and consumer outreach and the establishment of industry best practices, HRI has directly funded four important research projects, launched the Grow Wise, Bee Smart website, and joined the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge campaign.

Pollinators as a whole encompass a diverse population of thousands of different species, such as managed honey bees, wild bees, butterflies, birds, and bats. Protection of pollinators in general, especially bees, continues to be a major concern among the general public and within the green industry. Several culprits have been identified as factors contributing to managed honey bee losses, including Varroa mites, other pests/diseases of bees, loss of habitat and nutrition, and off-target effects of pesticides. Alternatively, wild, unmanaged bee populations are most greatly affected by landscape changes and habitat degradation.

HRI developed the BMPs, which cover greenhouse and nursery production, woody ornamentals, and managed landscapes, with the assistance of researchers and apiarists throughout North America. Updates to these recommendations will be made as additional research results regarding bee and pollinator health are released.

For the full Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Bee Health in the Horticultural Industry, visit the GrowWise, Bee Smart website. To learn more about the Horticultural Research Institute and its efforts in developing science-based recommendations for the industry, visit the HRI website or contact Jennifer Gray, HRI Administrator by email or (614) 884-1155.

Learn More about the Horticultural Research Institute!

Post your job listings in Green for Life magazine

For only $30 per position posted, Landscape Alberta will place your Job Listing in the March/April issue of  Green for Life magazine.

  • Reach approx. 1000 industry members, affiliates, students and more!
  • Satisfy one of your Advertising Requirements on your LMIA Application for foreign workers or other goverment programs
  • Green for Life will be posted on the Association website and shared to followers on social media

Submit your Job Listing text and payment to admin@landscape-alberta.com by February 3, 2017. No late submissions will be accepted.

Landscape Alberta will layout all listings on behalf of the company. Size of listing will depend on content supplied.
Max size: 2.25”w X 4.25” h. Word Limit: appox 75 – 135 words. One position per listing. No proofs will be provided. Members only.

Click here for information and payment form.

Sample Listings (2016)