LANDSCAPE NEW BRUNSWICK BIDS FAREWELL
CNLA SELECTS 2024 CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE
COMPETITOR TURNED VOLUNTEER AT BC SKILLS
LESS NURSERY PRODUCTION HIGHER SALES
THE PLANTS LOVE YOU INITIATIVE A GREENER, HEALTHIER FUTURE
QUÉBEC GARDEN CENTRES EAGER TO INSPIRE IGCA IN AUGUST
CFA SUMMARY OF 2024 FEDERAL BUDGET
SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN INTEGRATING GREEN ROOFS
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Landscape New Brunswick (LNB) announced the retirement of Jim and Theresa Landry. After decades of dedicated service and significant contributions to the landscape industry in New Brunswick and PEI, the Landrys are stepping down to enjoy their well-earned retirement.
Jim and Theresa have been instrumental in advancing the mission of LNB and fostering a strong community spirit within the industry. Their commitment to excellence and community service has not only enhanced the organization’s reputation but has also greatly benefited New Brunswick, PEI and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA).
As we bid farewell to Jim and Theresa, LNB, along with the CNLA and regional partners, affirms our commitment to ensuring a seamless transition. The LNB is dedicated to maintaining the high standards set by the Landrys and will continue to serve members with the same dedication and excellence.
LNB and CNLA extend our deepest gratitude to Jim and Theresa for their years of service, leadership, and dedication. They leave behind a lasting legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Please scan the QR code above to wish the Landrys well!
For circulation or content please contact communications@cnla-acpp.ca
CNLA EXECUTIVE BOARD
President Bill Hardy, CLHM - BC
Past President Anthony O’Neill - NL
Vice President, Communications Committee Chair Anita Heuver - AB
Second Vice President, Climate Change Adaptation Chair Alan White - ON
Treasurer, Professional Development & Human Resources Chair Jeff Foley, CLHT, CLHM - BC
CNLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BCNLA Heike Stippler, CLD - BC
Landscape AB Jeff Oudyk - AB
Landscape SK Leslie Cornell - SK
MBNLA Guy Dowhy, RSE, CLHT, CLHM - MB
Landscape ON Lindsay Drake Nightingale - ON
Landscape NS David Thompson - NS
Garden Centres Canada Chair Robin Godfrey - NS
Landscape NB/PEI, Member Services Chair, Insurance Chair Kevin Nauss, CLHM - NB
Landscape NL Peggy Head - NL
Landscape Canada Committee Chair Peter Guinane - ON
Research Chair Phil Paxton - AB
Government Relations Chair Christine LeVatte CLHM, CLD - NS Growers Canada Chair Stuart Gillies - ON
CNLA STAFF
Executive Director Victor Santacruz, CLHM, CAE victor@cnla-acpp.ca
Deputy Executive Director Rebecca Doutre, CLHM, CAE rebecca@cnla-acpp.ca
Finance & Administration Manager Cheryl Gall, CAE cheryl@cnla-acpp.ca
Growers Sector Specialist Jamie Aalbers jamie@cnla-acpp.ca
Communities in Bloom Program Specialist Sonia Parrino bloom@cib-cef.com
Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist Anne Kadwell, CLHT anne@cnla-acpp.ca
Industry & Government Relations Specialist Leslie Sison, CAE leslie@cnla-acpp.ca
Communications Specialist Dave Mazur dave@cnla-acpp.ca
Communications Coordinator Lauryn Mullan lauryn@cnla-acpp.ca
Media Coordinator Stuart Service stuart@cnla-acpp.ca
Content & Design Coordinator Sarah McIntosh sarah@cnla-acpp.ca
HortProtect Marketing Director & Special Projects Teagan Schroeder teagan@cnla-acpp.ca
Member Services Coordinator Cathy Scott cathy@cnla-acpp.ca
Member Services Coordinator Nicole Xavier nicole@cnla-acpp.ca
Certification Coordinator Edith Oyosoro, CAE edith@cnla-acpp.ca
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is thrilled to announce the upcoming 21st annual National Awards of Landscape Excellence (NALE) gala, taking place August 7 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This prestigious event will gather more than 130 members of the horticultural industry from across the country, representing a diverse cross section of the trades.
The NALE celebrates excellence in garden retail and nursery growing, significant contributions
to the ornamental horticulture industry through the Green For Life awards, as well as outstanding work across Canada in landscape construction, design, and maintenance. Each year, applicants from across the nation submit their projects to their respective provincial association awards of excellence competitions. The provincial associations then select up to three entries per category to be submitted to the national competition. The judges, a panel of industry experts, volunteered their time to face the challenging task of evaluating numerous
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
exceptional projects. Each entry was assessed based on standardized criteria developed by the CNLA in 2004, resulting in the selection of this year’s best projects in each category.
The top three projects in each of the five categories will be invited to attend as the CNLA’s Circle of Excellence. The Circle of Excellence represents industry professionals who have showcased remarkable skill in their respective award categories. This new format, introduced last summer, led to numerous memorable moments and heartfelt acceptance speeches as each category’s award winner was announced live. We’re excited to bring this back again in 2024.
On August 8, a full day is planned with the inaugural Circle of Excellence Networking Event, a series of
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
speaker sessions on various topics related to issues and trends in our industry. This event is followed by an industry tour with about four stops, including a visit to a Circle of Excellence project and concluding with dinner in Downtown Halifax.
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Follow CNLA social media accounts for the latest on the wonderful Circle of Excellence projects. Details about each landscape will be featured throughout the summer on the CNLA’s YouTube, Instagram (@cnla_acpp), and Facebook accounts. And a big thank you to our sponsors for making this amazing event possible: Caterpillar, John Deere, Landscape Trades, Stanley Black & Decker, LMN, HortProtect, Equinox, Nutri-lawn, Toro, Fenchurch General, Zurich, Atlantic Gardens, Lakeland Plant World and Staples.
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
In what’s become an annual Earth Day weekend tradition, St James Park in Toronto was tidied, aerated and reseeded on April 20 by a mixture of local residents, the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA, and staff from LawnSavers, Oriole Landscaping Ltd., Turf Systems Inc., and Weed Man Toronto.
This public space holds tremendous significance to Landscape Ontario since 2011, when nearly 200 volunteers including LO members and the Nursery Sod Growers Association donated time, materials, equipment and expertise to restore the original beauty of the three-hectare site over two days.
The St James Park 2011 restoration is also where the concept of the Green Cities Foundation was born, exemplifying the benefits of rejuvenating a public green space by connecting plants and people for a cleaner, healthier urban climate.
LO members have returned every Earth Day since, tidying the park to be welcoming for the public during the spring and summer months.
“It provides us with an opportunity to reach out and to do something in a community that generally doesn’t have too many lawns to enjoy,” said Paul Gaspar from Weedman Lawn Care Toronto.
“This park is really a place for the community to come together and enjoy a green space,” Gaspar continued. “If we can do this and benefit this space, it’s a great privilege and we look forward to continue participating in this annual event.”
Unfortunately, this was the first Earth Day weekend since 2011 without the presence of Bob Kemp, a former police officer and volunteer with the St Lawrence BIA, and known as the “The unofficial mayor of the St. Lawrence community,” who passed away in May 2023.
“This year is particularly special because we want to honour Bob Kemp,” said LawnSavers owner Kyle Tobin.
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
“We wouldn’t have been able to show up here in the first year. He made sure that everyone was pushed aside so that we could come in here, park our trucks where we needed to park our trucks, make sure we could have full access,” Tobin continued. “Every single year he was here on his scooter. No matter what his health was like, he showed up.”
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Robyn Posner, Director of Marketing for the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA, who worked with Bob Kemp for more than a decade, said her former colleague was a force of nature.
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
“Bob was one of those guys that gets it all done,” she said. “He didn’t see any impediments in the way, he just makes it happen. As a result, he became a great ambassador for this neighbourhood, and is greatly missed.”
Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Mariah Kivari’s journey into horticulture is one marked by familial influence and personal passion. Raised on a hobby farm in Metchosin, BC, she was immersed at an early age in organic vegetable growing, native plants and landscaping.
“It’s definitely been ingrained in me from the getgo,” she said.
Her childhood wanderings through the woods were not mere pastimes but formative experiences that laid the groundwork for her future career. However, a career in landscaping wasn’t her initial choice as she was drawn towards academia.
Kivari enrolled at the University of Victoria as a science student.
“Because that was kind of what I thought, you know, you do well in school. You go to school again, you get a degree, you get a job,” she recalled. However, in her second year at UVic, Mariah was faced with having to choose her future career by declaring a major.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “So I took a couple second year classes, and I was not having it.”
It was at that moment when Kivari realized she needed to have a deep interest in the discipline in which she’s learning to thrive at it. She pursued her Horticulture Technician Certificate at Camosun College, and soon realized it was her calling all along.
While enrolled at Camosun, Kivari was gearing up for the opportunity to compete in the Landscape Gardening event at the BC Skills competition at age 22. However, the competition scheduled to take place in April 2020 was canceled due to Covid. Further delays to her education occurred as Camosun rewrote and adapted many program curriculums to the realities of a pandemic, “which was totally fine because it allowed me to get a lot more work experience in the same field, which I needed anyways.”
Kivari made the most of her opportunity when she finally got her chance to compete at BC Skills at Tradex in Abbotsford in 2023. After her and her teammate, Craig Charlton, won the provincial gold medal, they were flown
out to Winnipeg the following month to compete in the Skills Canada National competition in Winnipeg.
“I thought provincials were big,” she said. “Then I went to Nationals and it was like the Olympics.”
Provincial teams each built a small garden from scratch over two days in a 12-hour period outside the front entrance of the RBC Convention Centre, where many of the 12,000 students in attendance from across Manitoba stopped to watch.
Amidst the intense competition, Kivari was contacted for a job opportunity with the City of Victoria, a position requiring Red Seal certification. She seized the opportunity and completed her certification at Pacific Horticulture College.
Although she had hoped for one more shot at a gold medal on the national stage, Kivari’s Red Seal certification rendered her ineligible to participate in future competitions.
“I did definitely consider, really briefly, holding off on getting my Red Seal so that I could compete again,” Kivari said, but she has no regrets on her decision to follow through with the required certification to continue working at her dream job.
Kivari, now 26 years old, made time in April to make the transition from competitor to volunteer, helping to set up the event and to judge the BC Skills competition. As she peered behind the curtain of competition organization, she gained a newfound appreciation for the dedication and effort required to orchestrate such events.
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca
“I would have considered going back and competing again,” she added. “And then I figured, well, why does it have to stop there?”
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca
Edith Oyosoro, edith@cnla-acpp.ca www cnla.ca
Teams across the country competed in their respective provincial Landscape Gardening competitions to build a small garden from scratch in just a few hours. Each winning pair is competing at the National Skills competition May 30-31 at ExpoCité in Québec, QC. A very special thanks to the devoted volunteer teams who committed many hours of hard work to ensure these provincial events would go off without a hitch.
Sandy (Alexander) Roberton passed away after a long battle with cancer at age 83. Sandy received the CNLA President’s Award for volunteerism in 2008, recognizing his contribution, commitment and dedication to the industry. He retired from operating Earthcraft Landscape in Bedford, N.S., and spent his career pushing for educational and certification opportunities in landscape horticulture.
Born and raised in the UK, Sandy Roberton’s early years were spent in the agricultural sector. Realizing agriculture was not for him, in 1957 he joined the Highland regiment in the British army. After being demobilized in 1966, he returned to the agricultural sector. In 1980 he moved to Saudi Arabia, where he found employment in the landscape sector and he knew he had found his true calling. He moved to Nova Scotia in 1984 and started Earthcraft Landscaping. Sandy soon came to recognize that the lack of training opportunities for the trade was a serious issue for both the industry and the consumer.
His search for solutions became his passion. Over the years, Sandy led or participated on numerous committees and initiatives, including curriculum development work for the NS Department of Agriculture and Landscape Nova Scotia. He became chair and chief champion of the CNLA’s Certification Committee in 1995. He was instrumental in organizing the first two certification tests in BC and then Nova Scotia.
Statistics Canada has recently published its 2023 edition of the Canadian greenhouse, sod and nursery industries stats. While nursery sales have increased, the acres of nursery production are down 730 acres from 2022 and the units of field and container grown trees and plants in production are down by almost 4 million units. Operating expenses increased 8 per cent and the nursery sector employed 8,702 in 2023.
Nursery sales increased 2.0 per cent to $749.6 million despite a 2.0 per cent decline in growing area. Total nursery area decreased 1.9 per cent to 15,334 ha (37,892 ac). Production of field grown nursery plants decreased 2.6 per cent in 2023. Container-grown nursery plant production also fell by 5.9 per cent, as a result of 20.3 per cent fewer container-grown deciduous shrubs and 19.5 per cent fewer container-grown ornamental or shade trees. Nursery resales (the process of buying trees, shrubs, plants, seedlings and cuttings, etc. and selling them within a short time period with minimal care and maintenance) climbed by 7.0 per cent in 2023, contributing to the overall rise in sales for the year.
Meanwhile, sales of greenhouse fruits and vegetable are up again for the 11th consecutive year by 9.2 per cent to $2.5 billion. Greenhouse flower and plant sales rose 3.9 per cent to $2.1 billion, while total sod sales increased 6.8 per c to 162.5 million. In total, sales from the ornamental, sod and greenhouse vegetable sectors rose 6.0 per cent to $5.5 billion.
If we look back to 2019, the year before the pandemic, and compare that with 2023, total nursery sales are still up by 10.3 per cent from pre-pandemic levels. Operating expenses increased at a greater rate and were 17.3 per cent higher than 2019. Given that the nursery average has dropped 9 per cent in that same period, it’s no surprise that production has declined as well. Production of field grown trees and plants has declined 19.3 per cent since 2019. Container grown trees and plants have not picked up the slack, with a small 3.2 per cent increase in production.
If you want to dig deeper into these numbers all of this information is on the Statistics Canada website https:// tinyurl.com/y5j4xzaz Or to make it easier for you, there is a summary chart at the end of this article.
WHAT YOU RESIST NOT ONLY PERSISTS BUT WILL GROW IN SIZE.
-CARL JUNG
Radical Acceptance, or as its more widely known - It is what it is!
I am not sure if Rita Weerdenburg, CNLA’s previous Growers Manager, knew that she was practicing radical acceptance when she would sigh and say, “it is what it is”, but she was the first person who taught me that phrase many years ago. Most commonly, the phrase followed an explanation of a situation that she did not agree with, but for which she has no power to change the outcome.
Those 5 words are radical acceptance in a nutshell. Most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the serenity prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” Radical acceptance is essentially the embodiment of the serenity prayer. You accept life on life’s terms and don’t resist what you cannot, or choose not to change.
The common underlying precept is that when a painful emotion gets evoked, fighting against it often leads to suffering. When a reality is painful, it’s natural to push it away, fight against it, or numb ourselves through unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g. drinking, overeating, overworking). These strategies might cause a temporary sense of relief. However, they bury the underlying issue and likely cause you to feel even worse in the long term.
It is also natural to want to wage battle with the painful emotions or the person causing them. But not every battle on the farm or in life has to be fought. As a farm owner, manager, or grower you are most likely wired to solve or resolve any issue as it arises. It only takes one or two mistakes to compromise the growth of a plant and, as a leader, you need to delegate many of those
important growing tasks to others. You likely see all the problems in the production area or in the workplace in general, but are all of them worth solving? It’s a balancing act to change what can be changed and accept what cannot.
For example, my Dad was a dry grower, meaning he liked to stress potted plants by not watering them until they wilted. It was a plant growth control strategy he learned over time that resulted in the plants growing shorter and stronger without the need for adding as many plant growth regulators. Not everyone on the farm agreed with that strategy and he was often told to water the plants sooner. But he never did. His supervisor had no choice but to step back, recognize that the crops always looked great when they were ready for sale, and sigh “it is what it is”. Had he not, he would have incessantly been demanding a change that would not come, thereby stressing a work relationship in an attempt to achieve an unachievable outcome.
And remember, accepting does not mean agreeing. Accepting something that you don’t like or even view as wrong is not easy and takes practice. When you accept, you experience all thoughts and feelings. Without judgment, you’re allowing yourself to be frustrated, disappointed, sad, fearful, or whatever other feeling develops. Practicing acceptance every day fortifies selfcompassion and prepares you when life’s most difficult experiences occur.
Life obviously has greater painful challenges than working with a grower who does not irrigate the way you prefer, but by practicing with smaller, less significant challenges you’ll be better prepared when, for example, a close friend or relative is diagnosed with a serious illness, or your teenage son is dating someone you know is wrong for them.
If you have a problem that you can solve, then that is the first option. If you can’t solve it, but can change your perception of it, then do that. If you can’t solve it or change your perception of an issue, then practice radical acceptance. Breathe deeply, exhale slowly and say to yourself “It is what it is” and then repeat, and repeat, and repeat…
Nursery Statistics
of Field Grown Trees and Plants
+ Container Grown Trees & Plants
“Plants Love You” is a movement initiated by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) aimed at increasing awareness of the positive impacts that plants have on our health, environment, and communities.
The campaign highlights the profound relationship between humans and plants, emphasizing their role in creating healthier and more vibrant spaces for living, working, and thriving.
Plants Love You supports national and provincial value chain members: growers, retailers, and landscape service providers, as well as allied
producers and organizations. Marketing materials validate - not compete with - CNLA’s national initiatives such as Communities in Bloom, the Green Cities Foundation, and Count My Tree. Marketing materials also support provincial association initiatives such as Landscape Ontario’s Green for Life and British Columbia’s Plant Something programs.
Plants Love You is poised to support CNLA’s Count My Tree campaign to count every tree sold, planted and maintained by CNLA members under Canada’s 2 Billion Tree Commitment (Urban Land Stream) by 2030. Plants Love You messaging will
be deployed to educate, inspire and engage Canadians about the benefits of planting and nurturing trees in their local environment. The simple yet memorable Plants Love You graphic was finalized following several iterations and focus groups to perfect the concept. The name, slogan and design were tested nationally where they resonated well with audiences, and evoked purchase motivation.
Plants have long been known for their aesthetic appeal, but their benefits extend beyond mere decoration. Research indicates that incorporating plants into indoor and outdoor spaces can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Plants are crucial in mitigating climate change by offsetting heat islands in urban areas and improving air quality.
“At its core, the campaign wants us to think about all the amazing things plants do for us,” said Anita Heuver, CNLA’s Vice President and Communications Committee Chair. “From purifying the air we breathe to enhancing mental well-being and fostering biodiversity, plants possess a remarkable capacity to improve the quality of life for humans in our urban spaces.”
The campaign highlights the economic, environmental, and social benefits of plants. From influencing property values to shaping consumer behaviour and community development, plants play a pivotal role in our lives. By adopting the “Plants Love You” slogan, the ornamental horticulture industry aims to showcase the numerous ways in which plants contribute to our collective wellbeing.
Households are the principal market for plants and services, but businesses, institutions, municipalities and other government agencies also hold significant market share. Plants Love You “plants are your answer” solutions are adapted for each market. As part of the campaign, the CNLA encourages individuals, businesses, and communities to embrace plants as integral components of a sustainable and flourishing future. By fostering a deeper appreciation for their value, “Plants Love You” seeks to inspire action toward creating greener, healthier, and more vibrant environments for all. CNLA members receive up to 50 per cent back on marketing activities that promote the Plants Love You campaign. Participating members will be required to report on the
size of reach, circulation of promotion, and number of website/social media views. Files can be downloaded and used as is or modified to fit local campaigns. For more information about the campaign and how to get involved, please visit PlantsLoveYou.ca, or contact Nicole Xavier, Member Services Coordinator, at nicole@cnla-acpp.ca for more information.
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Gloria Beck, owner of Parkland Garden Centre in Red Deer, Alberta, is incorporating the Plants Love You logo and messaging in her promotional materials for this gardening season.
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
“Whether it’s social media, newsletters, broadcasts, or our annual Garden Guide publication, ‘Plants Love You’ is going to be the springboard to all our marketing,” Beck said.
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
“‘Plants Love You’ aligns so much with the various aspects of what we’re already writing about and promoting, such as air purification, food growing, and the benefits plants have in improving mental health,” she added. “People are realizing how much better they feel while working in a garden or taking a walk in nature.”
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Join the conversation and spread the love for plants using the hashtag: #PlantsLoveYou.
Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
We have made PLY easy and simple to promote:
• Member folders containing the refreshed logo files, customizable social media graphics, signage & ads
• Use the editable templates to add your logo and URL
• Attach the “Plants Love You“ logo to your email signature, website, print media, and in-store signage
LINK: https://cutt.ly/PLY
Check back for updates throughout the year - new plant benefits and posts featured
This is a multi-year grant opportunity for members providing a grant subsidy for advertising “Plants Love You“!
Contact: Nicole Xavier, Member Services Coordinator 1 (888) 446-3499 ext. 8625 | nicole@cnla-acpp.ca
Scan to learn more!
As a member of your provincial landscape horticul ture trade association you qualify for the members savings program administered nationally by the CNLA .
That’s money in your pocket!
Combining nature and technology may initially seem contradictory, but after years of exploration, I’m firmly convinced it’s the linchpin for effectively managing greenery, enhancing climate resilience, and nurturing connections between urban communities and the natural world.
Once a sanctuary for respite, nature now carries the burden of combating the “heat island” effect, shielding cities from rising sea levels, inland flooding, and wildfires, while also fostering biodiversity, wildlife corridors, and enhancing human health and well-being. Despite well-intentioned initiatives like the “million-tree campaigns,” cities globally witness a decline in greenery, impacting urbanites now and in the future.
Realizing the urgency of this situation, I’ve embarked on a mission to uncover innovative technologies for proactive green management and fostering connections with nature. In my upcoming book, “The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet,” I explore the pioneering efforts of “techno-ecologists” leveraging technology to cultivate nature-rich communities worldwide. I call their quest the “Internet of Nature” (IoN).
to share three examples from my upcoming book that highlight how technology is being used to enhance nature in cities.
Alison Young of the California Academy of Sciences, along with Lila Higgins of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, created the City Nature Challenge (CNC). Starting as a competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2016, the CNC has grown into a global movement, inspiring urban dwellers worldwide to document local wildlife.
During a four-day annual “bio blitz”, participants use the iNaturalist app and website to log their observations, with a window for species identification and announcing winners. The CNC is accessible to all, thanks to iNaturalist’s automatic species identification and a supportive user community, including experts. It emphasizes collective achievement, fostering global biodiversity documentation and engagement, and unity.
As of 2024, over 700 cities have joined the CNC initiative worldwide. Remarkably, for three consecutive years, La Paz—the largest city in Bolivia—has emerged triumphant in the CNC, leading in total observations, species documented, and participation.
By involving citizens in scientific inquiry and data gathering, urban planners gain insights into urban green spaces’ ecological well-being, identifying biodiversity hotspots and guiding conservation efforts. The data aids in identifying areas of species diversity and those requiring habitat restoration, informing resource
allocation for green infrastructure development and conservation projects. Across the globe, the CNC has catalyzed significant discoveries, shattering biodiversity records. In La Paz, researchers rediscovered a Bolivian snake previously thought extinct within the city limits, alongside a century-unseen blueberry bush. These findings deepen citizens’ connection with nature through interactive and educational outdoor activities.
In San Francisco, Sonia Kastner, founder of Pano AI, pioneers deep learning AI to detect, verify, and classify wildfires using surveillance cameras on towers. This IoN tool aims to identify fires early, with cameras on mountaintops utilizing advanced algorithms to detect smoke. Real-time data feeds enable remote reviewers to validate AI detections, refining the algorithm.
The urgency arises from the increasing prevalence and destructiveness of wildfires in California, the western US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. Pano AI’s proactive approach holds promise for mitigating these disasters.
Sonia emphasizes the goal of accelerating the adoption of innovative firefighting techniques, like early heavy artillery use, such as aircraft and helicopters, to prevent fires from escalating. Within a year, Pano AI has demonstrated significant success. During the Shedhorn Fire outbreak in September 2021 near Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Montana, Pano’s cameras detected the threat, enabling timely response measures that contained the fire to 74 acres. This early detection, before any 911 call, is crucial, particularly in remote areas where fires can smolder undetected for hours. Swift action saves lives and protects communities.
Furthermore, this approach is sustainable, reducing the need for daily helicopter flights and their carbon footprint. Sonia’s objective is to detect fires within the crucial first ten to fifteen minutes, ensuring swift action against wildfires.
In Maastricht in the Netherlands, we meet Tjeu Franssen, an arborist, who tends to newly planted trees along the “Groene Loper” park, facing challenges from dry, hot summers. To test soil moisture sensors’ effectiveness, we set up an experiment at two sites: the Groene Loper and another in eastern Maastricht. Three sensors were placed at the Groene Loper, while the second site had none. Throughout the summer, managers monitored and watered trees. Timely notifications from sensors prompted watering where needed.
By August’s end, we evaluated progress. Shockingly, almost a fifth of trees at the site without sensors had perished, while none were lost at the Groene Loper. Surprisingly, trees with sensors were significantly larger, some tripled in size.
These cutting-edge sensors have ensured an impressive 99% sapling survival rate in the face of increasingly dry and hot summers. However, it’s AI that promises to revolutionize this technology. By integrating weather data and historical watering records, these sensors can now facilitate predictive analytics. This means avoiding unnecessary trips, thereby saving time, money, and resources, and reducing carbon footprint, similar to the helicopters spared through Pano AI’s technology.
Central to the book lies a fundamental question: How do we uphold nature-rich cities amid climate change challenges, without sacrificing modern comforts?
While technology can help, the true focus rests on individuals like Alison, Sonia, and Tjeu, who spearhead the IoN movement, efficiently cultivating nature-rich communities. Their efforts are driven by the urgent need for nature in urban areas.
For deeper insights into their work and others’, watch vout for my upcoming book, “The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet.” Pre-order before June 18th, 2024, to join the book club and access exclusive content. Learn more at nadinagalle.com/book
Nadina Galle, Ph.D., is a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, technologist, keynote speaker, and podcast host best known for her groundbreaking work on the ‘Internet of Nature’ (IoN). Featured in BBC Earth documentaries and esteemed publications like National Geographic and Newsweek, she received a Fulbright scholarship for research at MIT’s Senseable City Lab, where she maintains a research affiliation. Acknowledged as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30, she currently serves as a 2024 National Geographic Explorer, focusing on IoN integration in Latin American cities. Her debut book, “The Nature of Our Cities,” is set to be published on June 18, 2024, by HarperCollins. Pre-order at: nadinagalle.com/book
Independent garden centre owners and operators in Québec are eager to welcome delegates from the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) at their annual Congress taking place August 25-31 in and around Québec City and Montreal.
Along with enjoying events and activities that encapsulate Québecois culture, delegates will visit 11 stores over the course of the week and witness breathtaking scale, plant quality and multi-generational history.
Pépinière Villeneuve offers customers a more than five-kilometre trail system, a petting zoo, and is a draw for bird-watching enthusiasts.
“We want people to come in at Villeneuve and have a moment in the nature looking through beautiful environments,” said Martin Breault from Pépinière Villeneuve. “We’re excited to have you guys in August.” The late-August timing is perfect for a visit to Jardins Michel Corbeil where, along with a huge plant
nursery and vibrant garden centre, there are expansive thematic gardens to explore. Within those gardens is a Monarch Butterfly sanctuary, where delegates will get to see young butterflies take their first flight.
The IGCA visits Jardin2m, a giant garden centre on 500,000-square-feet of land that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Jardin2m makes the most of its garden centre’s landmass by appealing to both retail customers and landscape professionals.
“Usually what we see is a garden centre for retail and then a yard for landscapers,” said Jardin2m owner Mariève Dyotte. “At our place everything is together.”
To help customers visualize the trees and shrubs beyond the containers and wire baskets in which they’re sold, Jardin2m has a vast, walkable demonstration garden that provides living examples of how a selection of their inventory of more than 85,000 plants will grow at different times of maturity.
Staffing reaches about 50 people during the peak of the season, all of whom have been working at Jardin2m for
more than two years, and who are eager to show off their store to delegates.
“We’re a team like a family,” said Jardin2m owner Mariève Dyotte. “They’re anxious to see you.”
Delegates will visit the Sainte-Thérèse location of Jardin Dion, a multi-generational garden centre that’s celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
“We really have wonderful employees who will be smiling with you, beautiful plants, a beautiful, warm garden center with lots of love,” said Matthieu Poirier from Jardin Dion. “We’re very, very happy to welcome you to our garden center.”
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Visit IGCA24.ca for registration details to see the incredible standard in garden retail being set in Québec.
Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
AUGUST 25-31 2024
5 DAYS OF TOURS
200 INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES 20+ COUNTRIES REPRESENTED 10+ GARDEN CENTRE TOURS Register now at IGCA24.ca!
The 64th IGCA Congress, is coming to Canada! This annual event will be hosted in Montréal and Québec City, with a focus on showcasing the best retailers around the world to an elite group of garden centre owners and operators. We will visit more than 10 garden centres plus local attractions!
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture created a summary of the 2024 Federal budget unveiled last April, referencing sections that pertain to Agriculture. These highlights have been scaled down to what applies to our industry, and references pages in the budget if readers wish to dig further.
Right to Repair (Page 141)
• Supporting efforts to amend the Copyright Act to help farmers achieve interoperability. Reannounced the government will launch consultations this June on interoperability.
• Calling on provinces and territories to amend their contract laws to support interoperability. Further details on the upcoming consultations will be announced shortly.
Advance Payment Program (Page 142)
• $64 million to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2024-25 to support a $250,000 interest-free limit on Advance Payment Program loans for the 2024 program year, and a continued review to improve the program delivery and reduce the administrative burden for producers.
(Page 201)
• Urgently return fuel charge proceeds from 201920 through 2023-24 to an estimated 600,000 businesses with 499 or fewer employees through a new refundable tax credit. Proceeds from the Carbon Pricing would be returned directly to eligible corporations through direct payment from Canada Revenue Agency. Corporations would be required to file taxes for 2023 by July 15, 2024, to be eligible. Note: this is an area requiring further clarification in terms of its applicability to farmers.
(Page 223)
• Proposes to provide $6.9 million over five years, starting in 2024-25, with $1.4 million ongoing for the Meteorological Service of Canada’s early warning system for extreme weather events, with a focus on floods and storm surges.
Lifetime Capital
(Page 336)
• Announces the government’s intention to increase the inclusion rate on capital gains realized annually above $250,000 by individuals and on all capital, gains realized by corporations and trusts from onehalf to two-thirds, by amending the Income Tax Act, effective June 25, 2024.
The tax-free limit with be increased to $1.25 million, effective June 25, 2024, and will continue to be indexed to inflation thereafter.
(Page 407)
• The government proposes to amend the Red Tape Reduction Act to provide all Ministers with authority to enable regulatory sandboxes, providing them with authority to grant temporary exemptions to legislation or regulations to allow for testing of products, services, processes, or regulatory approaches.
• $39 million funding over 2 years proposed to maintain the pesticides regulatory system and monitor and promote sustainable pesticides use.
Financial Crown Corporations (Page 407)
• Further to the 2023 Fall Economic Statement announcement regarding a review of the operations of financial crown corporations, including Farm Credit Canada, budget 2024 announced changes to the Capital and Dividend Policy Framework for Financial Crown Corporations, as well as new guidance to mobilize more financing, and take on
greater risk to support Canadian businesses that need it. Farm Credit Canada Act will require regular legislative reviews to ensure FCC’s activities are aligned with the sector’s needs.
(Page 199)
• Government will launch the first-ever Canadian Survey on Interprovincial Trade in June 2024, to engage thousands of Canadian businesses on the challenges they face when buying, selling, and investing across provincial and territorial borders. The survey’s insights will help identify top interprovincial barriers so that they can be eliminated.
Strengthening Canada’s AI Advantage (Page 167)
• Announced a targeted increase in AI support of $2.4 billion in funding, including $200 million over five years to boost AI start-ups to bring new technologies to the market and accelerate AI adoption in critical sectors, such as agriculture, and $100 million over five years for the National Research Council’s AI Assist Program to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses and innovators build and deploy new AI solutions to increase productivity across the country.
Biofuels (Page 194)
• Proposing new measures to support biofuels production in Canada, with a focus on renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and renewable natural gas, aiming to capitalize on the demand for these fuels and strengthen Canada’s position in the market. The government’s intention is to disburse up to $500 million per year from Clean Fuels Regulations compliance payment revenues to support biofuels production in Canada. By the end of the year, Natural Resources Canada will launch another call for proposals under the extended Clean Fuels Fund. The Canada Infrastructure Bank will invest at least $500 million in biofuels production under its green infrastructure investment stream.
Forced Labour in Supply Chains (Bill-s211) - (Page 320)
• The Budget reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to introduce legislation in 2024 to eradicate forced labour from Canadian supply chains, and to strengthen the import ban on goods produced with forced labour. The government will also work to ensure existing legislation fits within the overall framework to safeguard our supply chains. This will build on existing funding which supports the requirement for annual reporting from public and private entities to demonstrate measures they have taken to prevent and reduce the risk that forced labour is used in their supply chains.
• $20 million proposed for Employment and Social Development Canada for the Migrant Worker Support program for community-based organizations to support vulnerable foreign workers.
NOT INCLUDED in Budget 2024:
• Sustainable Agriculture Strategy
• Labour
• Transportation / Ports
• International Trade
This has been a very tumultuous spring regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. There have been several changes since the end of March, some of which have impacted our members.
Just before midnight on February 29, the Government of Canada adjusted its travel requirements for Mexican citizens, who will now need a visitor visa to travel to
Canada unless they meet the following requirements:
• They have held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa; and
• They are using a valid Mexican passport to fly to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport to another destination.
• You must apply for your work permit outside of Canada. You may not apply for a work permit at a Canadian port of entry. If we approve your work permit application, we’ll automatically issue you a visa. You do not need to make a separate application for a visa. You will now need to submit your passport at a Visa Application Centre so we can affix your visa counterfoil (sticker) into your passport before you travel to Canada.
These new travel requirements caused delays for members waiting on workers and continues to affect the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
On March 21, the Government of Canada released information on changes to the TFWP that took effect on May 1: https://tinyurl.com/mtwpxced
Changes effective May 1, 2024, are as follows:
New Labour Market Impact Assessments will be valid for six months (a decrease from 12 months) to ensure accurate labour market needs.
• All employers identified in the 2022 Workforce Solutions Road Map (seven selected industries; ornamental horticulture was not included) will have a reduction from 30% to 20% of their total workforce that can come in through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, under the low wage stream, with an exception for the construction and health care sectors.
• Employers will need to explore every option before applying for an LMIA — including recruiting asylum seekers with valid work permits here in Canada.
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
These changes came as a surprise as we recently attended a meeting to discuss industry labour needs and concerns with members of the Minister’s staff before this release. Nancy Healey, Commissioner for Employers, has already sent follow-up emails to express industry concerns to Brian Hickey, Director General of the TFW program. Nancy has also met with Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages of Canada, and raised our concerns with this release.
There has been a meeting by the government alluding to the development of a new Foreign Worker Program. While this is still in the very high-level end of planning, there is a desire to take the good aspects of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and merge those with existing TFW Programs to create a new program. The government has promised to engage industries that use the program in consultations.
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
There is still a lot to be worked out and nothing has been finalized yet, which unfortunately leaves very little to report on. There are concerns and unknowns at this time, but CNLA will continue to follow this closely.
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Green roofs continue to contribute to the quest for sustainable urban development. Integrating various technologies with green roofs such as solar power, or stormwater detention, can present even more sustainable solutions. These new systems provide opportunities for landscape architects to work with other building professionals for better uses of roof space.
The fusion of green roofs and solar PV or stormwater detention technology can maximize renewable energy production and/or increase stormwater management while also enhancing other environmental benefits. Here is a quick overview.
Solar power comes in various forms, each with its unique advantages. Photovoltaic (PV) systems directly convert sunlight into electrical energy, making them common in consumer applications, such as rooftops.
Understanding a building’s solar energy potential involves assessing available rooftop space, sunlight exposure, and economic feasibility. Satellite mapping, irradiance data, and shade analysis contribute to estimating the viability and benefits of rooftop solar PV installations.
A new trend is the combining of green roofs with solar panels because it yields a number of advantages. For example, by incorporating solar panels racking within the green roof system, additional weight from vegetation and growing medium acts as ballast, thereby improving stability and eliminating the need for roof penetrations. Furthermore, the green roof’s evapotranspiration generates cooler air which helps to increase panel energy production by anywhere from 5 to 15 per cent. This is because when solar panels get hot they lose production efficiency. Other benefits include extending the waterproofing lifespan so the panels don’t have to be removed to re-waterproof; improved building energy efficiency, and even increased biodiversity, the result of creating microclimates.
Maintenance of combined solar green roof systems requires designing sufficient spacing between solar arrays. Regular maintenance prevents plant overgrowth from shading panels. Care must be taken to select the right plant species for these projects. With the panels placed above the green roof, they provide shelter for plants and thereby create microclimates conducive to more diverse species than typically found in traditional extensive green roofs.
Vertical solar installations, where the panels are positioned upright, offer greater wind resistance and sunlight exposure for plants, with bifacial panels maximizing energy production by capturing the sunshine on both sides. These new technologies also facilitate maintenance and promote plant health by allowing more sunlight to shine on the plants than with panels positioned at angles.
Rooftop agrivoltaics, the concurrent use of green roofs for solar panels and agriculture is a relatively new approach which is being researched. See the LivingArchitectureMonitor.com for articles on rooftop agrivoltaics. If you want to know more, see our new Solar Green Roof integration course on the LivingArchitectureAcademy.com
Blue-green roofs combine water detention practices with the water retention abilities of green roofing. A blue roof is a roof that is designed with the express purpose of detaining water followed by its controlled release. This can be accomplished through a variety of means, cisterns, vaults, grids, drainage dams etc.
Blue-green roofs are a relatively new innovation which involves stacking a green roof assembly on top of a blue roof assembly. The green roof assembly sits on a grid which separates the growing media and plants from stored water. These systems can provide a tremendous amount of increased storage capacity, while enhancing the living systems that interact with it. During a major rain event, when the retention capacity of the green roof is exhausted, the water is collected below, often sitting directly on the membrane. This water can be released through control flow drains or in some cases, be reused to supply the green roof above. Water remains a critical resource for the support of biodiversity, without it plant and animal communities will be incapable of thriving.
While green roofs are known for their stormwater retention capabilities, the addition of blue roofs enables the temporary detention of stormwater. By retaining and detaining stormwater on-site, these roofs reduce the strain on infrastructure and can help to mitigate the impacts of flooding.
By maximizing the evapotranspiration process of plants, blue-green roofs contribute to a reduction in the urban heat island effect while promoting biodiversity and plant growth.
The integration of green roofs with solar power and/ or stormwater detention represents a modern and holistic approach to sustainable building design. For more information on solar green roof integration, and blue green roofs, see the Living Architecture Academy, or attend one of our events hosted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. November 6 to 9, 2024 is the 20th Anniversary of our CitiesAlive conference in Toronto.
For more information; LivingArchitectureMonitor.com LivingArchitectureAcademy.com Greenroofs.org/events
Obtaining landscape horticulture certification offers many advantages to those pursuing careers in the field.
According to a survey of members who’ve completed the Landscape Horticulture Certification Program (LHCP), nearly all respondents (97%) are proud of their certification, stating that it validates individual credibility and grants access to an elite group of high performing professionals. The same number of participants recommend certification, reporting that it demonstrates competence, opens doors to new opportunities, helps to keep up on the latest innovations, and advances the industry.
Over three-quarters of those certified reported earning more income from improved profitability, salary raises, higher charge rates, more job opportunities and the ability to start their own business. Business owners report that having certified staff enables them to tender and successfully close contract bids, charge up to 50 per cent more for their services, and achieve up to 50 per cent growth in annual sales.
Nearly all respondents are glad they became certified, stating that it serves to distinguish their performance and reassures clients and contractors of their expertise and professionalism. Most recognized that certification made them
more committed to their career and reported that it raised their perception of landscape horticulture as a secure career option. Additionally, three quarters of those certified received support from employers in the form of training, receiving time off for exams, and covering the cost of registration and recertification.
All business owners agreed certification increases productivity, with one respondent citing up to a 75 per cent increase in productivity by certifying staff. Nearly 60 per cent of those certified feel an increased loyalty to their employer for supporting their certification process. They recognize their employers’ investment in their careers, which in turn increases their job security and desire to continue at their jobs. Those certified report that their employers are willing to support enrollment in the LHCP, seeing how it enriches their staff and leads to improved staff retention.
For more information, visit cnlagetcertified.ca
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Landscaping can be a beautiful business, but you need a versatile machine that can do the dirty work. The 184 G-Tier Compact Wheel Loader has the power and precision to help you shape the land, carry big pallet loads, and handle heavy piles. Consider it your all-purpose paintbrush.
Advanced Suspension
The advanced four-wheel suspension system allows for a smooth ride and consistent cut.
2-Belt Pulley System
Less stress on each belt maximizes lifespan and minimizes maintenance.
Sturdy Mowing Deck
Take on the job with a mower built for the long haul with its professional-grade fabricated mowing deck.
Premium Suspension Seat
Discover optimal comfort on the STIHL RZ 700 Series with adjustable arm rests, back rest, and lumbar support.
THE POWER PROS NEED
The Kawasaki engine provides reliable operation and consistent power output.
STIHL RZ 500 Series
Ideal for farm and ranch users or pros, the STIHL RZ 500 Series comes in 52" and 60" decks and combines comfort with performance.
STIHL RZ 700 Series
Available with a 52” or 60” cutting deck and professional-grade EFI engines, the STIHL RZ 700 Series helps pros maximize the mowing experience.