Association News

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PGMS Heads to Michigan State

The Professional Grounds Management Society will head to Michigan State University in East Lansing, July 28-29, for the second stop in the 2011 Regional Grounds Management Seminars & Site Visit Series. The two-day site visit will offer unprecedented access to the landscape and grounds program at Michigan State, including a tour of the snow and ice response equipment, the Accubrine system and the “grounds proofing” equipment. The second day will provide a closer look at the landscape department’s sustainability efforts, including the composting facility, horticulture gardens, and recycling and surplus center. Education seminars will focus on crucial grounds management topics such as snow and ice challenges, mapping a campus, tree protection and using online tutorials to educate staff.

ASLA Offers Design Resource, Opens Registration

The American Society of Landscape Architects is offering a free sustainable design resource at www.asla.org/animations. It covers plants that digest toxic waste, parks built from old building materials, trees that lower utility bills and many other sustainable concepts. It includes several animations, classroom activities and lesson plans, and examples of real-world projects.

ASLA opened registration for the 2011 annual meeting and expo, scheduled for October 30 to November 3 in San Diego, Calif. The theme is Landscape Architecture Rising. Find more information at www.asla.org/2011meeting.

CNLA Presents Awards, Elects Officers

The Connecticut Nursery & Landscape Association presented David Goodwin, general manager of Planters’ Choice Nursery, with the 2011 Award of Merit. Jeremy Webber of Sunny Border Nurseries received the Young Nursery Professional Award.

Steve Bousquet of American Landscape Service was elected as CNLA president for 2011-2012. Other officers elected included Peter House, vice president, and David Taddei, treasurer. Todd Burnett stays on for a term as past president. Newly elected board members include Brian Kogut, Darryl Newman, Jason Scire and Kevin Sullivan.

NOFA Holds Organic Lawn Days

NOFA/Mass educated over 140 homeowners in methods of organic lawn care and maintenance during its first-ever Organic Lawn Days. Workshops were held in Arlington, Ayer, Boylston, Danvers, Hyannis, Newburyport, Natick, New Bedford, Northampton, Pelham, Stoneham and Stockbridge. Each was taught by a NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional, including Frank Koll, John Coppinger, John Tycz, Curtis Dragon, Finbarr Phelan, Javier Gil, Peter DiClemente, Jessica Duphily Cook, Taylor Kane, Bernadette Giblin, Navid Hatfield, Michael Murray and Rich Lassor.

IA Hires Education Director

The Irrigation Association has hired irrigation and education industry veteran Bob von Bernuth to serve as education director. In this position, von Bernuth will drive the development and execution of a new association educational plan. He holds a doctorate in engineering and an MBA. He began his industry career at Rain Bird, and in 1980 established von Bernuth Consulting. For the last 20 years, he has served Michigan State University in a variety of roles.

Stihl Expands TCIAF Sponsorship

The Tree Care Industry Association announced that Stihl, Inc. has renewed and increased its sponsorship of the Tree Care Industry Association Foundation Student Career Days for 2011. TCIAF SCD includes the annual Student Skills Competition and is held at TCI Expo, which will take place November 4-5 in Hartford, Conn. Stihl’s expanded sponsorship will put more money toward the travel fund, allowing more students to participate.

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ANLA Defends Current & Future Labor Source

The American Nursery & Landscape Association has taken action in response to the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed changes to the H-2B program. The proposed changes would increase filing requirements and advertising timelines for employers seeking to fill positions. Employers will be subject to stricter requirements to hire any and all available U.S. workers. ANLA joined with several other agents and associations to submit comments to the DOL for review. For more, visit www.anla.org.