CNLA Newsbrief - October 2008

Canadian Nursery Landscape Association / Association Canadienne des Pépiniéristes et des Paysagistes7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 | Toll Free: 1-888-446-3499 | Toll Free Fax: 1-866-833-8603 | Email: [email protected] | www.canadanursery.com

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S e p t e m b e r - O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8CNLA Newsbrief sponsored by:

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Green Industry Makes a Wish a Reality

Look Inside:Hort Protect gives back•Changes at Citizenship and •Immigration Canada

Communities in Bloom awards•CNLA is expanding•Retail Reboot•Changes to CHT•Production insurance update•

IGCA Congress•Growing Education partnership•Landscape Summit•Atlantic Canada’s Green Industry show•

CNLA NewsbriefGreen Industry News!September - October 2008 Vol. 17 Issue 6

Just over two years ago the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and the Make-a-Wish Foundation partnered to grant the wish of a young Port Perry, ON boy to have a garden in his backyard. The relationship between CNLA and the Make-a-Wish Foundation has

grown considerably since then and another wish has been granted. Landscape Ontario/CNLA members came together to turn young Rachel’s wish to have a butterfly garden into her reality.

Rachel was diagnosed with eye cancer at the age of 4 and had to have left eye removed

and lost hearing in her left ear. She was referred to the Make-a-Wish Foundation last year with the hopes that the experience of a wish would help lift her spirits.

Rachel had no intentions of meeting Mickey Mouse or wanting a new computer or to be a princess. She is a nature lover and expressed a genuine interest for her own butterfly garden. When her wish granters asked what she would like in her butterfly garden, she said "a rock to sit on, a bridge over some water and a path to ride my bike on, and some plants to attract butterflies.

Certified Landscape Designer, Beth Edney was called to see if she was interested in working on this project and of course Beth agreed. The plan was developed and presented to Rachel. Several contractors and sup-pliers came together and donated a generous amount of time and material to the cause in order make Rachel's wish a reality.

"Rachel expressed it best when she told me that the butterfly garden does not erase the memories of all she's been through, but it does replace them," Dana (Rachel's mom) said in her heartfelt thank you to the volunteers who crowded into the garden open house this week. "She's absolutely right. You've given us brand new happy memories of smiles and laughter and selflessness, not to mention, flowers and

butterflies." "Thank you for replacing the worst experience in our lives with the best thing that's ever happened to this family."

Now Rachel is counting the days until summer and her first monarch sightings. "It's even bet-ter than I ever thought. I love it," she exclaims before she's gone again, daring you to chase her through her arc of water. While over her garden gate, her giggles float like butterflies.Rachel now has a place to go and forget about her painful experiences and enjoy herself in her new garden. Green spaces provide many benefits and enhancing the quality of our lives is just one of them. This green space created an experience that a 6 year old girl will never forget. It has replaced her painful cancer treat-ment memories with joyful happy ones that will remain with her for years to come.

Rachel is a real nature lover and wished for a butterfly garden.

“A rock to sit on, a bridge over some water and some plants to attract butterflies” were the focal elements of the garden.


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Industry NewsExecutive Board:Michael Murray - NLPresident

Christene LeVatte, CLP - NSVice-President Paul Olsen - ONPast President, Succession Chair

Bill Stensson - ONSecond Vice President, Growers Canada Chair

Cary van Zanten - BCTreasurer

Directors:Harold Deenen, CLP - ONHuman Resources Co-Chair

Jim Wotherspoon - ABLANTA Representative

Bill Hardy, CLP - BCHuman Resources Co-Chair

Bruce Hunter, CHT, CLD, CLP - BCLandscape Canada Chair

Vic Krahn, CHT - SKGovernment Liaison Chair, SNLA Representative, COHA Chair

Gerald Boot, CLP - ONLOHTA Representative

Doug Conrad, CHT, CLD, CLP - NSLNSHTA Representative

Paul Jensen - QC AQPP Representative

Bruce McTavish - BCNAPPO Chair

Anthony O’Neill - NLGarden Centres Canada Chair, LNL Representative

Philip Ronald, Ph. D - MBResearch Chair

Owen Vanstone - MBLMB Representative

Rene Thiebaud, CLP - ONInsurance Chair

Peter Levelton - BCEnvironment Chair, BCLNA Representative

Darrell Nameth, CLP - NBMember Services Chair, LNBHTA Representative Phil Paxton, CHT, CLP - ABNational Certification Chair

Staff: Victor Santacruz, CAEExecutive [email protected]

Joseph Salemi, CAEMember Services [email protected]

Joel Beatson, CAE, CLPProfessional & Business Development [email protected]

Rebecca WetselaarManager of Provincial [email protected]

Rita WeerdenburgGrowers [email protected]

Liz Klose, B.Sc., (Agr)Landscape Priorities [email protected]

Lydia Couture-ComtoisExecutive [email protected]

Julia RicottoneCertification [email protected]

Peter Isaacson, B.Sc., MPMMinor Use/IPM [email protected]

Alanna WolfHortProtect Marketing [email protected]

Michelle GregoryProvincial Relations [email protected]

Agnes ZawartkaMember Services [email protected]

Kim BurtonCommunications [email protected]

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks by:Harmony Printing, 50 Woodbine Downs Boulevard, Toronto, ON M9W 5R2

The CNLA staff has been working vigorously on various projects and initiatives on behalf of its members. The membership within CNLA has grown this past month by 21 new members, and as well, there is growth within the provincial offices as strategic plans are reviewed and the recognition that some provincial offices now require full time executive director positions. The CNLA staff has also been busy promoting the Garden Centre symposium that will be coinciding with the Garden and Florist Expo Show on October 21-22, 2008.

October and November will follow suit to September and continue to be busy months, with staff attending the HortEast show November and hosting a reception for both CHT certified members and the volunteers who have lent their time to the certification testing.

CNLA executive director, Victor Santacruz, CAE, will be traveling to Dubai as the Green Initiatives keynote speaker for the Asso-ciation International des Producteurs de l’Horticulture (AIPH), to take part in a pro-gram whose aim is to compare what other countries’ green initiatives are for creating ‘green cities’. Victor will promote the Green Forum taking place at Congress 2009 in Toronto, and invite delegate members to at-tend the show in the hope of encouraging a global movement to developing ornamental horticulture across the world.

CNLA continues to support organizations like Communities in Bloom and Project EverGreen Canada who promote the benefits of green spaces and the work that the green industry does.

Communities in Bloom AwardsCommunities from across Canada joined together to learn and celebrate in the City of Lethbridge, AB for the Communities in Bloom National Awards Ceremony on Sep-tember 20th. As sponsors of Communities in Bloom, Rebecca Wetselaar and Victor Santa-cruz, CAE from CNLA were in attendance to show our support and present the “Canadian Nursery Landscape Association award” to the Town of Huntsville, Ontario. Congratulations to Huntsville and to all other finalists!

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to foster-

ing civic pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification through commu-nity involvement and the challenge of a national program. For more information on Communities in Bloom visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca.

HortProtect Gives BackLate in 2007 the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association was able to negotiate a reduction in administration fees on the Health and Life portion of the insurance program. This will result in lower premiums for all par-ticipating members beginning in August 2009 along with an additional rebate.

Due to renewal cycles the excess funds were collected in trust and will be retroactively distributed to all members that were on the program as of September 1, 2008. The rebate is based proportionally on individual company usage compared to that of the total billing for one month.

The rebate will appear on the November statement in the form of either a credit bal-ance (for pre-paid customers) or as a credit, that reduces that bill for that month. The fund will continue to accumulate money until August 2009 at which time the overall fees of the program will drop accordingly.This is a shining example of how the Hort-Protect program works for CNLA members. The increased volume of the plan combined with technological innovation by the plan administrators allowed there to be a reduc-tion in the cost of servicing the membership. Instead of becoming profit for the insurance company or the broker, the savings are passed on to members.

CNLA will continue to work diligently on your behalf to provide the best coverage for value. If you have any comments or questions about HortProtect, please contact Alanna Wolf at [email protected] or by calling 1-888-446-3499, x 8670.

Victor Santacruz, CNLA Executive Director, presents award.

http://www.communitiesinbloom.ca

mailto:[email protected]


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Landscape Manitoba Green Newsletter/CNLA

Changes at Citizenship and Immigration Canada Help with Labour CrunchTwo announcements on September 5th by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) have a positive impact on labour shortage many are experiencing in the landscape horticulture industry.

Firstly, Minister Diane Finley announced that a pilot project to speed up worker applications for those applying under the skilled worker program.

“In order to get the people we need to this country, we need to process applications faster,” said Minister Finley. “This pilot is one of several measures we are taking to help reduce wait times overall. By centralizing the intake of federal skilled worker applica-

tions, we are alleviating some of the workload in our overseas visa offices. This allows visa officers to focus more on processing applications.

Second, Min-ister Finley announced

that starting September 17, 2008 that cer-tain temporary foreign workers and students can begin applying for permanent residence status under the Canadian Experience Class.

The Canadian Experience Class is a new avenue of immigration for certain tempo-rary foreign workers and foreign student graduates with professional, managerial and skilled work experience. Unlike other programs, the Canadian Experience Class allows an applicant’s experience in Canada to be considered a key selection factor when immigrating to Canada.

Harold Deenen, CLP of Hank Deenen Landscaping in Toronto, and Co-chair of the CNLA Human Resources Committee, along with Bill Hardy, CLP, thinks that “this is a great sign that government is now under-standing the issues the trades are facing” and that “these programs help acclimatize workers to Canada, thus making the transition to Canada as home an obvious next step”.

For employers looking to use temporary foreign workers for the 2009 season, CNLA is recommending starting the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) process as soon as possible. With average wait times being several months, it is advised to get an LMO even if your unsure if you will need it. A guidebook and advice is available through the CNLA of-fice or by emailing [email protected].

CNLA improvementsThe CNLA office is going through many changes in order to serve it’s members better. Michelle Gregory will be assisting Rebecca Wetselaar as Provincial Relations Coordinator, ensuring each of the provincial associations will have focused attention.

As well, we have hired a new Communications Coordinator, Kim Burton, who will be completing all graphic design requirements for CNLA, along with assisting Joe Salemi with Membership Services projects. Kim has spent the last 5½ years as Landscape Ontario’s Art Director, working primarily on their national maga-zine Landscape Trades, while also completing design projects for the various initiatives that LO puts together, such as Congress, Garden and Florist Expo and the provincial Awards of Excellence program.



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Growers Corner

Information sessions were held across Canada this past summer with both nursery and floriculture producers with the objec-tive of achieving consensus on industry’s preferred production insurance options. These had been previously identified as private insurance, public sector insurance and/or a member-led group fund. These sessions were a part of the third phase of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)-funded Private Sector Risk Management Partnerships (PSRMP) project. The following is a brief summary of the outcomes of this most recent phase of the project.

Losses due to quarantine pests and regulato-ry actions continue to be identified by grow-ers as their greatest risk. At the same time, it remains unclear as to which of the above insurance options, if any, would be available to growers to cover these risks. The private sector has expressed a reluctance to insure

quarantine risks and as such, growers could expect any premiums to be unaffordable. At the same time, it is not clear that these risks would be covered by public insurance, as there is no precedence for quarantine risk coverage for any other agricultural sector across Canada.

In general, nursery growers felt that insur-ance rates proposed by the private sector for more traditionally insured risks such as weather (ie: hail, drought, flood) were unaffordable. Insurance rates to the nursery sector are very much impacted by the sectors’ long-term inventory cycles. (ie. premiums are based on total inventories, whereas sales are low turn-over, especially in susceptible field crops). There was a high level of interest from growers to know what kinds of coverage might be available through public insurance options.

Predictably, results varied from region to region and between the nursery and floriculture sectors. Typically, the green-house floriculture operator produces several crops per year, vs. the multi-year nurs-ery production cycle. Risk factors for the greenhouse sector are different due to their contained environment. However, when catastrophic situations are encountered, such as Duponchelia, entire crops are affected, in contrast to nurseries that tend to be more diversified. Both sectors expressed an interest to know more about their options available from the public sector. The greenhouse floriculture sector, however, was keen to explore the potential coverages that might be available through a member-led indemnity fund.

In summary, it was the recommendation of the consultants, Oliver Wyman, that the nursery and floriculture sectors should explore public insurance options in Ontario on a pilot basis, using the information gathered to expand to other provinces. They have also recommended that Flowers Canada Growers (FCG) explore the option to pilot a group fund in Ontario. CNLA would participate in the process as observers, which would facilitate easier implementation of their own group fund if that should become a desirable option.

This project, conducted by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association in partner-ship with Flowers Canada Growers, has been fully funded by AAFC, through their Private Sector Risk Management Partnership. The full report, “Development of a production in-surance option for the Canadian ornamental horticulture sector, August 2008,” a full copy of the report will be available on the CNLA website.

Production Insurance Update By RItA WeeRdeNBURG

Hire a consultant to assist you with the preparation of your nursery’s Domestic Phytosanitary Certification Program (DPCP) manual. Complete your consultation before December 31, 2008 and be eligible for greatly reduced consulting rates. Minimizing your company’s phytosanitary risk will never be easier or more affordable!Cost per nursery: $125 for first person, $75 for each additional person. Consultations are now available in all provinces.For more details, visit www.cleanplants.caor call 1-888-446-3499, ext. 8640

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0Landscaper’s CornerLandscape Summit Report By LIz KLoSe The primary purpose of the summit, held Wednesday August 13th in Toronto, was to identify the priorities for the Landscape Sector to enable the CNLA to make the most efficient use of resources and focus on what the industry determined to be the leading priorities. This process was lead by Bruce Withrow, Meeting Facilitators International, www.facilitors.com

CNLA wishes to sincerely thank and acknowledge the following members who actively participated in the round table discussion. Thank you for sharing your suggestions and input. Your experience was a valuable resource to build a strong foundation from which the strategic plan was developed.

MeMBeR PARtICIPANtS: Gerald Boot, CLP - ON Fred Hann - NL Kevin Nauss - NB Bill Hardy, CLP - BC Ron Oudyk - AB Peter Guinane - ON Brian Cocks, CHT - ON Neil Pond - NBBrian Ramor, CHT - ON Bruce Jasperson - MB Aaron Krahn - SK Ken Ruddock - ABBill Deluca - ON Jeanette French - NLColleen MacDonald - BC Jeff Foley, CHT - BC Scott Mosher - NS Glen Thrasher - SK Charlie Wilson - ON Michael Murray - NL Mark Bowering, CHT - NL David Hinton, CLP - MBDarrell Nameth, CLP - NBDoug Conrad, CHT, CLD, CLP - NS Bruce Hunter, CHT, CLD, CLP - BCPhil Paxton, CHT, CLP - ABRene Thiebaud, CLP - ONGeorge Coupar, CHT - NSHarold Deenen, CLP - ON Each of these members had the opportunity

to share their expertise and discuss what they determined were the top three issues or opportunities facing the landscape sector.During the summit discussions, another group were observers in the brainstorming process. Many thanks to those observers who were resource people when called upon, yet did not actively participate in charting out the priorities. Your support of this venture was truly appreciated!

oBSeRveRS: Bob Tubby, CLP Alan WhiteJoel Beatson, CLP, CAE Sally Harvey, CLP Allan Dennis Bob Adams Victor Santacruz, CAE Liz Klose Stephanie Dudley, CIP Tony DiGiovanni, CHTRaymond Carriere Rebecca WetselaarJoe Salemi, CAE David ForeroNigel Bowles Cle Newhook Natalie Whitehead Julia Ricottone All of the information gleaned from the member participants was shared and ranked in order of priority. This revealed some common categories or themes, and again the delegation was challenged to select what they deemed were the top six issues or opportunities within the landscape sector. Once the top six priorities were determined, further discussion ensued to expand on these priorities based on the previous discussions of the day.

toP SIX LANdSCAPe SeCtoR PRIoRItIeS Labour Shortage: Deal with the shortage of skilled labour and unskilled labour entering the funnel. Help develop a national alignment of horticultural educa-tion. Help potential employees see the

landscape industry as a viable career. Continue to pursue Red Seal certification.Public Image: Improve the image of the industry with the public. Help educate the public on the value of a skilled professional, what a good landscape is, and the value of green. Professional development: Continue to develop the knowledge, experience, profes-sionalism and profitability of those within the industry. Focus on higher utilization of existing programs.environmental Importance: Promote the environmental importance of what we do and continue to work on sustainability and environmental friendliness.Government Support: Promote govern-ment recognition of our industry, our standards, and our programs. Help increase consistency of application across the country. Address issues with employment insurance and foreign workers.Membership: Ensure that we have ad-equate standards and adequate compliance of standards within our membership and increase size of membership

The next phase of the workshop involved the member participants breaking into 6 groups based upon the landscape sector priorities, and joining the group that was of greatest interest to them, or where they could offer expertise. In these breakout sessions, mem-bers where asked to: - clarify the issue or opportunity; - suggest one or more specific outcomes

that would be indicators that the CNLA has successfully resolved the issue or addressed the opportunity;

continued on page 11

http://www.facilitors.com


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Certification Corner

Congratulations to our recent gradsSuzanne Wilson, CHT Victoria, BCSuzanne Perrin, CHT Burnaby, BCDonna Johnson, CHTBurnaby, BCMichelle Boyce, CHT Sechelt, BCLindsey Ross, CHT Ottawa, ONLynda Blackburn, CHT Ottawa, ONDarrell Kekanovich, CHT Ottawa, ONDave Ross, CHT Ottawa, ONMike Potter, CHT Kars, ONStephen Barker, CHT Winchester, ONTrevor Cullen, CHT Ottawa ONJason Robinson, CHTOttawa, ONAndrew Thompson Kars, ON

Following the CNLA summer Board of Directors meeting in August, there was clear direction to re-examine the Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) Retail Garden Centre program.

Retail Reboot

The last occupational analysis for this sector was completed in 1995 and since then the landscape of green retailing has changed drastically. As such the first step is to perform a new occupational analysis.

If you have been regularly reading the CNLA Newsbrief over the past year, you may al-ready be familiar with what an occupational analysis is, but to review this is the process by which a group of industry members de-fine the scope and depth of a specific profes-sion, in this case Garden Centre Specialists. The process creates a National Occupational Standard (NOS), which is very useful in the creation of education, apprenticeship and, in this case especially, certification programs. Over the next 6 months, the new occupa-tional standard will be used to reboot the CHT Retail program. This will include chang-es to the existing test in regards to what and

how each area is tested. The scoring system will also be aligned to the new 100-point scoring system, which has helped to improve the consistency of landscape tests over the past year.

These changes will be implemented in time for the 2009 testing schedule and will help revitalize the program by ensuring that CHT Retail accurately reflects the reality of industry today and continues to provide excellent value for the Garden Centre segment of mem-bers. If you have any questions about the process or are interested in volunteering for a review com-mittee please email [email protected] or call Joel Beatson at 1-888-446-3499, extension 8610.




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then ever before. The changes may also lead to shorter days for candidates, meaning they may be back to work the same day they test (varies province to province).

What do the Changes to CHt mean to me?The Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) exterior program under went some major changes in 2008. The changes have lead to many questions about how they affect people in progress and those that have already received their CHT.

Landscape Installation Softscape Installation Hardscape Installation

Landscape Maintenance ornamental Maintenance turf Maintenance

I’m current a CHT, what happens now?

As of June 1, 2008 any person holding a CHT in Landscape Installation or Landscape Maintenance received two new specialties.

This includes receipt of new certificates for each of the new designations. This does not preempt your original certificates, which ver-ify your original certification. Your renewal date will remain the same and you will only need to renew once no matter how many certifications or designations you earn.

I’ve already started my CHT, but still need a few more stations, what do I have to take?

You will continue to receive credit for every station or section you’ve already passed. In some cases you may need to write new written sections that didn’t previously exist, but in all cases you will need to pass fewer stations in retest in order to achieve your first CHT designation. This will vary for each person, please contact your local association office if you have not yet received a letter outlining this for you. In many cases you may only need one or two more stations to achieve your first CHT designation.I usually judge for CHT, will I need retraining?Yes, but for experienced judges it is much more procedural, the changes to scoring and administration are the areas that you will need to become familiar with – we con-tinue to test the same practical skills we have in the past. It is your participation that is key to the continued success of the program.

I send my employees to CHT, what do I need to know?

The CHT testing remains at the same high standard, now made even more so, while at the same time improving judging subjectiv-ity. Your employees will likely earn their CHT designation quicker through the more spe-cialized exams. This specialization also opens the door to even more of your employees

If you have any other questions about how the new format works, please contact your local association office or call CNLA at 1-888-446-3499.


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Retailer’s CornerIGCA Congress Benefits Local Industry By ReNAtA tRIveRI

Two years in the making, the International Garden Centre Association Congress wrapped up in Vancouver last month to great accolades from garden centre profes-sionals from around the globe.

The overwhelmingly positive response was thanks to a team of dedicated and welcoming volunteers and tour hosts who went the extra mile to ensure Canada’s hospitality would not soon be forgotten. Its success also relied heavily on the efforts of British Columbia’s garden retailers to hone every aspect of their businesses in prepara-tion for the event. Their hard work showed in refreshed stores, clever merchandising, and lush plant stock.

Michael Rahner of Flora Farm, one of the largest and most diverse garden retailers in South Africa, spoke warmly about the Canadian garden centre experience, saying that there was something to be learned from every store, no matter its size; he added that the passion and heart of BC’s garden centre proprietors was evident at every stop.

Others lauded the program that featured an exhausting but inspiring array of garden centres, display gardens, tourist points of interest, the West Coast’s geographical beauty, and of course a little fun. Paul Cooling, chairman of Cooling’s Nurseries (GLEE’s 2008 Retailer of the Year) wrote, “Suffice it to say that it ranks among the best (and I’ve been on nineteen congresses, I think). Funny enough, 1995 in Ontario is also up there. Canada and its people are just great in every way!”

While IGCA guests spent a short time at each retail venue, the event has had last-

ing results. Those new to IGCA Congress expressed great enthusiasm in having met so many new peers, and many have designs to attend IGCA Congress 2009 in the United Kingdom, and 2010 in Japan. More impor-tantly, numerous host retailers have reported significant increases in sales over the same time period last year. Most attribute this to the attention given to stocking up their stores, cleaning, painting, and refreshing their merchandising units, and the extra eye to producing the very best displays. What began as a “show-and-shine” of sorts could indeed have lasting effects on sales going forward into fall, a boost which will echo throughout the industry.

IGCA Congress was co-hosted by CNLA and BCLNA, with extensive support from Brian Minter (IGCA Congress Chair), a dedicated committee of volunteers, and generous contributions from industry sponsors. Sincere thanks to all involved in launching this world-class event!


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Delegates enjoyed the serenity of Trice Farms Pond & Garden, a shop that specializes in water gardening. Owners Mary Ann and Cor Van Den Berge recently installed this feature pond, along with an adjacent semi-nar room, to draw customers with learning opportunities and examples for their own ponds and gardens.

Michael Rahner of Flora Farm, one of the largest garden retailers in South Africa, wandered through Minter Country Garden Store. Rahner raved about the Canadian garden centre experience, saying that there was something to be learned from every store, no matter its size; he added that the passion and heart of BC’s garden centre owners was evident at every stop.

Rebecca Wetselaar of CNLA sounds the bell signaling time to board the buses, after our visit to Butchart Gardens.

99 Nursery & Florist recreated show-stopping displays from VanDusen Garden shows past. The merchandising and prod-uct quality of the Surrey shop created a buzz among guests. On hand was Mayor Diane Watts, who welcomed IGCA delegates to Surrey, and formally thanked to Bob Lui and the team at 99 Nursery for their work in beautifying the city.

Bus Captain, Leanne Johnson of GardenWorks™ (left) casts a wary eye, while Koichi Akatsuka of Japan makes the crossing on the Capilano Suspension Bridge.


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November 24-26, 2008Cunard Centre: Halifax, NS

Atlantic Canada’s Premier Horticulture Trade Show and Conference

For more information, contact Rebecca at 1-866-383-4711 or visit

www.horteast.ns.ca

Growing education Partnerships

On a beautiful September day in the hon-eymoon capital of Canada a very different type of partnership was being formed. The Niagara Parks School of Horticulture (NPSOH) and the Niagara Catholic District School Board signed what will surely be a historic agreement partnering to bring land-scape horticulture education to high school students seeking their Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) through the Ontario Ministry of Education.

The SHSM designation assists students in their transition from secondary school to ap-prenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace. Where better to pursue and learn the benefits of a career in Horticulture and Landscaping, than by studying on the grounds of Niagara Parks School of Horticul-ture, an institution internationally recognized for its expertise in teaching horticulture.After the agreement was signed, the delega-

tion was taken on a short tour through the botanical gardens to the new double por-table placed on site where the student’s in-class education will occur. A unique ribbon cutting ceremony (see photo) took place and the partnership was complete, with students set to start classes on site in a few weeks.The partnerships did not stop there this day, happening concurrent-ly Landscape Ontario was busy running the Golden Horseshoe/Ni-agara Region Certified Horticultural Techni-cian (CHT) test day, which is a partnership between themselves and the NPSOH with a combination of indus-try, students from the school and one SHSM student. In order for

high school students to graduate with their SHSM they must have completed three (3) stations of the CHT program. This will ensure graduates have an initial practical founda-tion and that meets a minimum standard as established by industry. All graduates will of course get their CNLA Passport to Certifica-tion, starting them on the ladder to other certifications and a career in horticulture.Niagara Catholic’s Director of Education, John Crocco said, “This innovative program, which is available to all students across Niagara Catholic, is a shining example of the creative programs offered to students throughout our Board. Our unique partnership with industry leaders, such as The Niagara Parks Commissions School of Horticulture, provides our students with practical opportunities to learn, observe and experience horticulture and landscaping at a world renown facility. As a Board we are ex-tremely appreciative of this unique partnership with Niagara Parks, which enables our students to become certified in accredited industry stan-dard certifications. The experiences at Niagara Parks will provide our students with a strong foundation to further their post secondary studies or directly enter the world of work.”

This momentous day had another first; Chris-topher Bemke from the Niagara Catholic Dis-trict School Board became the first student to

receive his SHSM in Land-scape Horticulture by com-pleting the required CHT component. Christopher has also been accepted in to the NPSH commencing in March 2009. He is well on his way to a very bright future in our industry. The connection from high school to college to ap-prenticeship to industry is certainly alive and well in Niagara Falls.

Pictured left to right: Terry Murphy, CLP, Jim Williams, Christopher Bemke, John Crocco, and Ed Niewesteeg

CHT testing at Niagara Parks School of Horticulture.


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Watch for special announcements at:CanWest Hort Show,

Garden Expo & FIHOQ

Request your [email protected]

don’t miss out on Atlantic Canada’s biggest Green Industry Show and Conference…

- brainstorm a list of potential actions that the CNLA could take;

- prioritize measures and potential actions.

The result was clarification on the 6 priorities and an action list of several possible suggestions and solutions.

On a personal note I want to thank all who participated and gave so freely of their valuable time, and to the CNLA staff for orchestrating all the details in hosting the Landscape Summit. It was truly a milestone event for the landscape sector! In my new role as Landscape Priorities Manager, look forward to working in concert with the Landscape Canada Committee in bring to fruition the strate-gic plan to further develop and enhance the landscape sector.

For more information, contact:Liz Klose, Landscape Priorities Manager [email protected]

LANdSCAPe SUMMItcontinued from page 5

The HortEast committee has been busy gear-ing up for another great show, taking place November 24-26th, 2008 at the Cunard Cen-tre in Halifax, NS. With 120 sold out booths featuring 75 Canadian and US exhibitors showcasing the latest industry products, the committee invites all members of the horticulture industry to attend this event. Two industry tours (Landscape and Nursery) will be offered on Monday, followed by the trade show and conference on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We have a great line-up of speakers sched-uled including our keynote, Donald Cooper, MBA, HoF, as well as Harold Deenen, CLP, Andy Buyting, Ruth Olde, CLD, Jim Kennedy, Wilf Nichols, Ph.D., Jeff Morton, P.Ag., and Glen Sampson.

In addition to our conference, trade show and tours, a number of other activities will be held throughout the show: Landscape Nova Scotia’s AGM and Awards Ceremony, a Kitchen Party at Bubbles Mansion (from the television show Trailer Park Boys) , A Silent

Auction and New Product Showcase, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) exam, and Certification (CHT, CLP, CLD) testing opportunities and sample test stations on the show floor.

For a full agenda or to register, visit www.horteast.ns.ca, or contact Rebecca Wetselaar, Show Coordinator:Phone: 1-866-383-4711Fax: 1-866-833-8603Email: [email protected]


http://www.horteast.ns.ca


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Upcoming 2008 Certification exam datesAlbertaCLd/CLPNovember 20, 2008 – Edmonton, AB

OntarioCHtOctober 30, 2008 (Retail Retest Only) – Milton, ONDecember 8, 2008 (Interior Only) – Milton, ONDecember 12, 2008 (all modules, written retest only) – Milton, ON

CLd/CLPDecember 8, 2008 – Milton, ON

Atlantic CanadaCHt November 24, 2008 (all modules, written only) – Halifax, NS

CLd/CLPNovember 24, 2008 – Halifax, NSNovember, 2008 (CLP Only) - NL

Upcoming trade ShowsAlbertaGreen Industry Show and ConferenceNovember 20-21, 2008 - Edmonton, ABAtlantic CanadaGreen Industry Show and ConferenceNovember 24-26, 2008 - Halifax, NSOntarioCongress 2009January 6-8, 2009 - Toronto, ON

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Documents

CNLA Newsbrief - October 2008