WINTER 2023
CIB ANNOUNCES ORANGE AS COLOUR OF THE YEAR IN 2024
HEALTH & SAFETY
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*Offer of 0% is for a loan term of 48 months, valid from October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 on new compact (compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, micro/mini excavators, skid steer loaders) and small (backhoe loaders, telehandlers, small track type tractors, small wheel loaders) Cat machines sold by participating Cat dealers to customers in the USA or Canada. The credit of up to $500 USD for CVA purchase can only be applied toward the purchase of a qualifying Cat Customer Value Agreement (CVA). Purchases (both machine and CVA) and machine delivery must occur by December 31, 2023. Offer subject to machine availability and credit approval by Cat Financial. Not all customers will qualify. Amount of the CVA credit cannot exceed the price of the qualifying CVA. CVA must be at least 2yr/1000hr and must include 1-year Preventative Maintenance Parts Kit, TA1 annual Inspection, signed CVA contract, and Product LinkTM. Amount of credit towards CVA is the same for all models. Offer may change without prior notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Additional terms and conditions will apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details.
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
©2023 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
SPONSORED BY:
ON THE ROAD 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
Jeff Oudyk - AB
Landscape SK
Leslie Cornell - SK
MBNLA
THE CNLA TEAM HITS THE ROAD
The CNLA, Communities in Bloom and Green Cities Foundation team was in booth 906 in Red Deer, Alberta for the 2023 Green Industry Show & Conference, presented by Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association, on November 15 and 16 at Westerner Park. Next, the team traveled to Atlantic Canada’s industry trade show, HortEast 2023, presented by Landscape Nova Scotia, from November 20-22 at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, NS in booth 160. The CNLA team will start the year on January 9-11 at Landscape Ontario Congress, one of the biggest trade shows in the world, at the Toronto Congress Centre in booth 660. Closing out the tradeshow season will be Grow24, Manitoba’s premier green industry conference, taking place February 13 at Canad Inns Destination Centre Polo Park Winnipeg.
For circulation or content please contact NATIONAL NEWS & UPDATES FOR MEMBERS OF:
Dave Wright, CLD, CLHM - 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 Landscape Canada Committee Chair
Government Relations Chair
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is coming to a tradeshow near you this winter.
communications@cnla-acpp.ca
Growers Canada Chair
Peggy Head - NL Peter Guinane - ON Phil Paxton - AB Christene LeVatte CLHM, CLD - NS Jeff Olsen - 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 Lam cathy@cnla-acpp.ca
Member Services Coordinator
Nicole Xavier nicole@cnla-acpp.ca
Certification Coordinator
Edith Oyosoro, CAE edith@cnla-acpp.ca
Environmental Policy Coordinator
SPONSORED BY:
Guy Dowhy, RSE, CLHT, CLHM - MB
Landscape ON
Research Chair
BY STUART SERVICE
Heike Stippler, CLD - BC
Landscape AB
Frydda Sandoval, CAE frydda@cnla-acpp.ca
CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
3
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
CiB ANNOUNCES ORANGE AS COLOUR OF THE YEAR IN 2024 BY STUART SERVICE On September 30, at the Communities in Bloom (CiB) Symposium held in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, Alberta, orange was unveiled as the colour theme for 2024. This announcement coincided with the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Among those instrumental in recommending the orange theme was Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) Ward 2 Councillor Kendrick Cardinal, who is also President of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, a community with many residential school survivors. Cardinal said the opportunity for his community to reveal CiB’s 2024 colour theme was a tremendous honour. “I made sure that I wanted to be part of the community’s growth, and to be one of the people that has a great testament to what it means to represent what the orange shirt meant, and to
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
bring that meaning to the flower form,” he said. “The colour orange is not only the colour of the flower, it’s also the colour of the relationship we want to build,” Cardinal continued. “When you’re holding an orange flower, it symbolizes a way to build a better tomorrow for indigenous communities,” he said. “Our motto in the region is: it’s time. It’s time to build those relationships, and continue for 100 years to fix them, because that’s what it’s going to take to fix it all.” Over 120 delegates from all over Canada and six different countries attended the 29th edition of the CiB Symposium from September 27-30 in Fort McMurray, AB. They participated in seminars, workshops and tours in the region.
SPONSORED BY:
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM Among the highlights was a boat tour through the Athabasca River. Three boats loaded up 18 delegates who got to experience the traditional lifestyle of the river system. The group docked on Inglis Island, where they participated in sharing and smudging circles to honour the people who have passed. They visited an eagle’s nest, saw numerous footprints of birds and bears, and enjoyed stories from local indigenous leaders.
municipality’s Heritage Resources Management Plan (HRMP). This plan is a guiding document which aims to provide a proactive framework to encourage and facilitate heritage conservation activities in Wood Buffalo and to guide future initiatives for the identification, stewardship, and management of heritage resources. The HRMP was presented to council in January and adopted by a unanimous vote. In what has become an annual tradition, the National Capital Commission (NCC) donated tulip bulbs to the CiB Symposium’s host municipality. This year, Wood Buffalo received 2,800 Orange Dream tulip bulbs.
“I think that their highlight of the whole trip was that boat ride,” Cardinal said. “The smiles on everyone’s face were phenomenal and it’s probably something I won’t ever forget.”
In addition to her roles with the CiB, Liu is a senior landscape architect at the NCC and leads the design of year-round floral displays throughout Ottawa. Many of the NCC displays incorporate the CiB’s annual colour theme throughout 30 different sites in 120 flower beds on 13,000 square metres of space. She’s experimented with a few orange-themed planters around Parliament Hill, and is planning for a whole lot more next year. “Get ready for a splash of orange,” Liu said. As for how those Orange Dream tulips will be planted in the RMWB, Kendrick Cardinal said he plans to make it a community effort. “Our intention is to get everyone involved,” Cardinal said. “Not only as just a piece of art, but also feeling emotion with the community to be a part of it all, to spread the word, share knowledge, and share nothing but good faith, reconciliation, and good nature.”
Tina Liu, a national judge and board member of Communities in Bloom, said the entire 2023 Symposium in the RMWB was a wonderful celebration of the rich indigenous history in the region. “The inclusivity and diversity of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is a culture infused in their everyday life,” she said, adding that that is why CiB declared the region as winner of the International Challenge for a Medium/ Large Municipality in 2022. The RMWB received two more honours throughout the 2022 CiB National & International Awards, winning the Plant & Floral Display Award and the Heritage Conservation Award, which recognized the work of the
SPONSORED BY:
The NCC has been trying out different orange plant arrangements this year at some of its gardens in Ottawa. Tina Liu, CiB judge and NCC architect, said that 2024 there will be numerous orange flower varieties “flowing through the capital.”
CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
5
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
Jill Hestbak, Open Space Planning Specialist with Strathcona County, accepts the Green Cities Award from Anthony O’Neill, Communities in Bloom Director, National Judge and Chair of CiB’s Marketing and Sponsorship Committee on September 30 at the annual CiB Symposium hosted in Wood Buffalo, AB. Photo by Crystal Mercedi
STRATHCONA COUNTY
WINS GREEN CITIES AWARD BY STUART SERVICE This year’s winner of the Green Cities Award is Strathcona County. The award was announced at the Communities in Bloom Symposium in Wood Buffalo, Alberta on September 30.
environmental framework, a robust document that aligns green initiatives the municipality intends to take, is currently taking, and shows the gaps of what could be done.
“I was so happy to receive and accept the award on behalf of the county,” said Jill Hestbak, Open Space Planning Specialist with Strathcona County.
“There’s a lot of accountability built into that document as well, so I think that really just shows commitment and a willingness to improve and do what we can as an organization in a community,” Hestbek said.
She attributes the honour to the county’s
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
SPONSORED BY:
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
GROWERS
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GARDEN CENTRES Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CLIMATE CHANGE Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GOVERNMENT Strathcona County has been active in Communities in Bloom for a while, participating in the program since 1998, and hosted CiB’s annual Symposium in 2018. The county is located just east of Edmonton and has a population of about 100,000. More than half of the 1600-square-kilometre Beaver Hills, recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, falls within the boundaries of Strathcona County. “We have a ton of natural beauty as well as urban park
SPONSORED BY:
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist
systems that residents canwww.cnla.ca take part in,” Hestbek said. leslie@cnla-acpp.ca This was the first time Hestbek got to visit Wood Buffalo, as well as to experience a CiB Symposium.
CERTIFICATION Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator
“It was so generally positive,” she said. “I learned so much edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca from so many different people.”
COMMUNICATIONS Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
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HORTPROTECT INSURANCE
TAKE STEPS TO LIVE HEALTHY
AND GET REWARDED FOR IT BY PEOPLE CORPORATION As a member of HortProtect, you now have access to BestLife Rewarded™, a digital wellness solution that rewards members for taking steps towards a healthier, happier life. This program is included as part of your benefits plan to support members in fostering balanced well-being across three vital pillars: physical, mental, and financial health.
An evidence-based program. BestLife Rewarded is not just another wellness program; it uses a science-based approach that has been proven to make an impact on members’ health by targeting modifiable lifestyle risk factors and rewarding members for taking action.
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
A comprehensive approach. No matter where they are in their health journey, BestLife Rewarded is designed to meet members where they are. This begins with an important step: completing a health risk assessment (HRA). By completing the questionnaire, users receive an overall health score and personalized Small Steps Action Plan, to help you navigate the tools and resources based on the risks and factors that are most relevant to the member.
Learn and earn. The member’s health journey will be supported by an extensive library of learning resources,
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HORTPROTECT INSURANCE including articles, videos, and guides on a wide range of health topics, ensuring that members have access to the latest information and advice from leading experts in Canada. From nutritious recipes to stressrelief techniques, these resources cover all aspects of wellness. Members will also receive free access to a range of iCBT courses and live health coaching to help them achieve their health goals.
Earn points, win rewards. While using the platform, members will be earning points. BestLife Rewarded rewards effort, not just outcomes. Members will earn points as they learn, track, and interact with the platform. Members can then use their points balance to bid on rewards in the Rewards Store. The more members use the platform, the greater their chance to win. New rewards are added each month.
Exclusive offers and discounts. BestLife Rewarded members have access to exclusive discounts and offers through our partner portals. Members can enjoy discounts on travel, wellness products and services, and a variety of other point of sale savings that are not available to the general public.
Privacy is paramount. Tracking personal progress. Monitoring progress is crucial in any wellness journey. In addition to periodic health score updates, BestLife Rewarded offers tracking tools for stress, fruit and vegetable intake, hydration and more. When tracking steps and sleep, members will also have the option to connect to a wearable device to track automatically. These tools can help members stay motivated, informed, and on course.
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Getting started is easy. Simply go to www.bestliferewarded.com and click “Join” to register using the information on your benefits card. This program is available to members and any dependents listed on their plan who are 19 years of age or older. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your local advisor or at info@hortprotect.com.
CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
9
HORTPROTECT INSURANCE
DIRECTORS & OFFICERS LIABLILITY PROTECTING PERSONAL ASSETS BY MARSH The media is full of headlines that have made corporations, and particularly their directors and officers, take notice. Sarbanes Oxley in the United States, Bill 198 in Ontario, and similar legislation in other provinces, have brought heightened focus to directors and officers (D&O) liabilities. These issues are shaping the way D&O liability is being handled by corporations and executives, and
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
increasingly, executives are making this type of insurance one of their top priorities. There are three bases by which personal liability can be imposed on directors and officers: Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Breach of Duty of Care, and Statutory Liability. The first two duties were developed in common law and have now been
SPONSORED BY:
HORTPROTECT INSURANCE provincial legislation and an expanding business and legal relationship between Canada and the United States, directors and officers liability is an evolving and changing field that requires constant monitoring. Marsh recognizes the importance of managing the risk associated with acting as a director or officer and has full advisory capabilities on both potential liabilities and appropriate protection. If you are interested in obtaining additional information on the subject of directors and officers liability, please contact your local Marsh Representative.
codified within the various Business Corporations Acts. In addition, there are estimated to be more than 100 provincial and federal statutes imposing other personal liabilities upon directors and officers.
Marsh Canada Limited is the endorsed insurance broker and risk advisor to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA). For more information on how the commercial insurance program for members of the CNLA can help reduce your total cost of risk, please call your Marsh Canada Limited licensed insurance broker at 1 888 949 4360 or email cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com.
D&O liability insurance policies are designed to protect directors and officers from the legal liability they may sustain when acting in their executive capacity. Coverage can also be extended to include the following: • Employment Practices Liability - Coverage is provided to an expanded group of insureds (including employees) for claims arising out of employment-related issues such as wrongful dismissal, discrimination, humiliation, and sexual harassment. In certain circumstances, the policy is expanded to include the organization as well as the employees. •
Spousal Liability - Coverage is extended to the spouse or domestic partner of the director and officer if named as a co-defendant in an action, but typically only to the extent that the claim against the spouse or domestic partner arises out of a wrongful act of the director or officer. There is no coverage if the allegations against the spouse or domestic partners involved their own wrongful act.
•
Not for Profit Outside Directorship Liability - Coverage can be extended to directors and officers sitting on boards of outside notfor-profit organizations such as charities, associations, and sports clubs.
This article is not intended to be a complete statement on the subject of directors and officers liability, but simply a general overview of some of the key issues and considerations facing directors and officers today. With changing federal and
SPONSORED BY:
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
11
HUMAN RESOURCES
HEALTH & SAFETY IS YOUR COMPANY COMPLIANT? BY LESLIE SISON, CAE Congratulations! You have just opened your small business or you have transitioned from an owneroperation to a small business by hiring a few staff. You’ve got the space, crew, and clients; you’ve got it all covered, right? Now that you have people working for you, a health and safety committee or the appointment of health and safety representatives is mandatory, subject to ministerial decisions in all Canadian jurisdictions. The Occupational Health and Safety
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
Act (OHSA) is built upon the principle that workers and employers must work together to identify and resolve health and safety problems. At what point this comes into effect is determined by your province. For example, in Ontario, companies with five or more employees but less than 20 require a Health and Safety Rep, and 20 or more require a Health and Safety Committee. In BC those numbers change to more than nine but less than 20, so it is important to know the legislations where you do business.
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HUMAN RESOURCES What is the difference between a Health and Safety Rep and a Health and Safety Committee? Health and Safety Rep (HSR) - For companies with under 20 employees, an HSR must be selected by the workers, or by the union, if the workplace is unionized. As the employer, you must allow the workers an opportunity to select their worker representative. Many companies have workers nominate their peers and then vote on a candidate to select the HSR. Once selected, the name of the health and safety representative (and contact information if needed) must be posted. The HSR must be paid at their regular rate while performing their duties. Key Responsibilities of the HSR: • Conduct monthly workplace inspections • Assist in identifying workplace hazards and make recommendations to the employer • Be present to assist the worker for the investigation of work refusals • May inspect the workplace where a critical injury or fatality has occurred and report findings to the MOL • Provide feedback on the workplace violence risk assessment and WHMIS program • Obtain information about hazards • Obtain information about health and safety related tests (before and during testing) • Request information from WSIB about the company’s injury claims history • Accompany a MOL Inspector during a site visit, when requested Health and Safety Committee: - Once a company has 20 people or more then a Health and Safety Committee is required. A health and safety committee (HSC) is a forum for bringing health and safety standards into practice. The committee consists of labour and management
representatives who meet regularly to deal with health and safety issues. A Health and Safety Committee consists of workers (employees) and management members. Health and safety legislation specifies how the members of the committee are to be selected. Consult the legislation applicable to your workplace location. Generally, the management members are selected by the management (employer). The worker members are selected by other workers or by the union (if there is one).
When are health and safety committees required, how many people are on the committee, and who are the committee members? Table One provides brief information about the committees: when they are necessary, size and representation. This summary is intended to provide basic facts. Please consult the legislation applicable to your workplace for exact requirements, including those for construction and project work.
What are the sources of legislation regarding health and safety committees? The following are references to the provincial and federal legislation, where you will find the requirements for health and safety committees from the different jurisdictions in Canada. Since legislation is amended periodically, the jurisdictions should be contacted for the most current information. The most recent versions of the legislation can often be accessed directly from the website of the government agency responsible for occupational health and safety.
Information provided by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides details on where to look for your provincial information. www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hscommittees
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Table 1 Legislation Requirements for Health and Safety Committees When do I need a full committee?
Size of Committee
Representation
Canada
Mandatory - 20 or more employees
At least 2
At least half to represent employees
British Columbia
Mandatory - when there are 20 or more employees or when “required by order”
Not less than 4
At least one-half must be worker representatives
Alberta
Mandatory - 20 or more employees, or when required by a Director
At least 4 persons
At least half must represent workers
Saskatchewan
Mandatory - when 10 employees or more, or when required by a Director
At least 2 and not more than 12
At least half to represent employees
Manitoba
Mandatory - 20 or more employees, or when required by the Director
At least 4 and not more than 12
At least half to represent employees
Ontario
Mandatory - 20 or more employees, or when ordered by Minister, or where a designated substance is in use (no minimum number of employees)
At least 2 (fewer than 50 employees); At least 4 (50 or more employees
At least half to represent employees
Québec
20 or more employees and where required by CNESST*
At least 4
At least half to represent employees
New Brunswick
Mandatory - 20 or more employees
As agreed upon by employees and employer
Equal Representation
Nova Scotia
Mandatory - 20 or more employees, or when required by a Director
As agreed upon by employees and employer
At least half to represent employees
Prince Edward Island
Mandatory - 20 or more employees, or when required by a Director
As agreed upon by employees and employer
At least half to represent employees
Newfoundland
Mandatory - 10 or more employees
At least 2 and not more than 12
At least half to represent employees
Canada Canada Labour Code, Part II (R.S.C. 1985, C. L-2), Sections 135 to 137 Policy Committees, Work Place Committees and Representative Regulations (SOR/2015-164) (Called: Policy Health and Safety Committees; Work Place Health and Safety Committees) British Columbia Workers Compensation Act, (R.S.B.C. 1996 as amended) Part 2, Division 5, Sections 31 to 46 (Called: Joint Health and Safety Committees) Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.A. 2020, O-2.2 as amended), Part 2, Health and Safety Committees and Health and Safety Representatives, Sections 13 to 16 Occupational Health and Safety Code (Reg. 191/2021) Part 13, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Sections 196 to 202 (Called: Joint Health and Safety Committees) Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Employment Act (S.S., 2013, c. S-15.1), Sections 3-22 to 3-27 (Called: Occupational Health Committees) Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, Part 4, Sections 4-1 to 4-12
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act (R.S.M. 1987, c. W210), Section 40 Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Man. Reg. 217/2006), Part 3, Sections 3.1 to 3.9 (Called: Workplace Safety and Health Committees) Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1), Sections 8 to 11 (Called: Joint Health and Safety Committees) Quebec (English language legislation) Act respecting Occupational Health and Safety (R.S.Q., c. S-2.1), Chapter IV, Sections 68 to 86. And the Regulation respecting health and safety committees (R.R.Q. 1981, c. S-2.1, r. 6.1, O.C. 2025-83) (Called: Health and Safety Committees) New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act (A.N.B. 1983, c. O-0.2), Sections 14 to 18 (Called: Joint Health and Safety Committees) Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7), Sections 29 to 32 (Called: Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees) SPONSORED BY:
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Prince Edward Island Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.P.E.I. 2004, c. 42), Section 25 (Called: Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees) Newfoundland Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.N. 1990, c. O-3), Sections 37 to 40 Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R 5/12, Part IV Section 25 (Called: Occupational Health and Safety Committees) Yukon Territory Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act (S.Y. 2021), Part 3, Division 3, Sections 36 to 43 (Called: Health and Safety Committees) Northwest Territories Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1), Section 7.1 Also: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R039-2015), Part 4 Sections 37 to 43 (Called: Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee) Nunavut Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1), Section 7.1 Also: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R039-2015), Part 4 Sections 37 to 43 (Called: Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee)
Opportunity for Greenhouse Operators The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council is happy to announce the launch of the AgriWorkplace Skills Training Program-Wage Subsidy. Please continue below to learn more about this exciting opportunity.
effective training methods to train their employees. Employers will also have access to CAHRC’s developed National Occupational Standards for the worker level in their respective commodity. We welcome producers from primary agriculture in Apples, Beef, Crops, Dairy, Greenhousing, Mushrooms, and Swine to participate in this pilot program.
GROWERS
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GARDEN CENTRES Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CLIMATE CHANGE Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GOVERNMENT
Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CERTIFICATION Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
COMMUNICATIONS Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
AgriWorkplace Skills Training Program is a pilot training program designed to help employers train and retain their workers by providing a wage subsidy of up to $5,000 for each trained worker or a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 for workers who identify as a member of an equity deserving group. The program offers wrap-around support for employees who may need assistance with transportation and childcare expenses to help alleviate barriers to accessing training. A completion bonus will also be accessible for each participating employee who completes the program. As part of the program, employers will complete an On-The-Job e-learning training demonstration to guide them in one of the most
SPONSORED BY:
CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
15
IGCA CONGRESS IS COMING TO
CANADA AUGUST 25-31 2024
5
DAYS OF TOURS
200
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES
20+
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
10+
GARDEN CENTRE TOURS
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!
Register now at IGCA24.ca!
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CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
SPONSORED BY:
Happy Holidays From the CNLA Family!
Canada’s National Greenhouse Industry Magazine
GREENHOUSE CANADA MAGAZINE
GREENHOUSECANADA.COM
The informational authority of the greenhouse industry for 45 Years. A must-read monthly publication for Canadian greenhouse growers and businesses.
Where Canadian greenhouse growers go for their daily fix of the most up-to-date greenhouse intelligence.
Annual Calendar
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JUNE , St. Catharines, ON
, monthly average page views
DECEMBER ISSUE
Buyers Guide
Weekly eNewsletters & eBlasts
CNLA NEWSBRIEF | WINTER 2023
17
LANDSCAPE CANADA
CNLA WELCOMES ELCA TO CANADA
A SUCCESSFUL EXCURSION BY ANNE KADWELL, CLHT The European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) came together in Vancouver, BC on September 17, 2023, for an amazing four-day excursion. We visited residential and commercial landscape designs, installations, maintenance, and a couple of tourist stops along the journey. Our week began with an informative meeting between ELCA and the CNLA, discussing collaboration, sustainable practices, membership needs and more. The meetings determined to share messaging, and to continue to work towards the eventual creation of an international network of the entire horticulture value chain.
and professional excursion to Canada,” said Egbert Roozen, Secretary General of the European Landscape Contractors Association. “We have so much in common and our cooperation is so valuable. During our political meeting we had a productive exchange on associations affairs and spoke about a global approach on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations for our trade. “The visits to impressive green projects and the talks with our enthusiastic Canadian colleagues, were very inspiring and gave food for thought for further elaboration. Thank you very much to our colleagues of CNLA for this wonderful experience!”
“With warm feelings, I look back at our meeting 18
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LANDSCAPE CANADA Day 1 The first visit on the professional excursion was led by Jeff Foley, President of ParaSpace Landscape Inc., and two of his team leads Cody Zahradnik and Shelley Nyhan. We toured Granville Island, which was renovated and transformed by ParaSpace, and continues to be maintained by the company. Taking a quick trip on the water in the Aqua Bus, we stopped in Yaletown to see a rooftop landscape oasis. Everyone was surprised how quiet this environment was considering it was atop a busy waterfront building. Thank you to the ParaSpace team who had before and after photos and drawings to thoroughly convey the work done on these fantastic projects.
Day 2 The second day started with a visit to South Granville, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver. Cable Baker and his team at Down to Earth Landscaping showed us a wonderful private garden in a high-end residential area. Next at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens, we learned about the innovative architecture behind the recently built visitor centre presented by John Ross, Architect and Project Manager with the City of Vancouver. This LEED-certified, one of a kind Visitor Centre suits the green surroundings of the garden.
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Egan Davis, who has an abundance of horticulture experience and knowledge of Vancouver gardens, led a private tour of the gardens as well as joined us throughout the rest of day, adding further fun horticulture facts about the city landscapes. We ended our tour with a carriage ride through Stanley Park, a park slightly larger than New York’s Central Park, which still has trees over 800 years old.
Day 3 Another stop to an exceptional private garden created and maintained by Cable Baker and the Down to Earth Landscapes team. A serene, modern house is in a natural setting accented by several water features.
At the University of British Columbia Botanical Gardens, we were met by Douglas Justice, Associate Director of the Faculty of Applied Science, School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. With over 23 years at the gardens, his knowledge of plant biodiversity and plant relations was very educational. The last stop of the day was to three, high-end residential estates where we were greeted by Chris O’Donohue, Owner/President of The Great Canadian Landscaping Company Ltd. Chris took us through three distinct landscapes from small to large, each with their own focus and features.
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LANDSCAPE CANADA Day 4 We started the morning with Chris O’Donohue at Eppich House II, designed by Arthur Ericson Architects and landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander. This estate, maintained by The Great Canadian Landscaping Company was like stepping into the future. The house is made of all metal with the inside reflecting the outside.
reminisced on the past four days. It was great to meet everyone, exchange our experiences and ideas for the future, and to continue working to bring to life ambitious green ideas into the world.
This event would not have been possible without the delegates, and the many BCLNA members who participated. Thank you: • • • Next to Blueshore Financial, where Heike Stippler, owner of Heike Designs, explained the transition of this roof top garden into a calming and usable space for corporate gatherings and client meetings. Heike, along with Fred Cook, designed and built this amazing garden which is now maintained by Heike Designs. The entire Blueshore Financial team was happy to greet us and have us tour their private garden. Thank you to Alan Wallace for assisting us in making this visit happen. The last stops of the Excursion treated us to the view of Vancouver from two mountains. At Grouse Mountain we were able to see local grizzly bears. At Cypress Mountain, ELCA delegates enjoyed the new fully-accessible and heated patio designed by Mike Koch, owner of Blue Bear Landscape Construction, which received the Circle of Excellence this summer at the CNLA’s 20th annual National Awards of Landscape Excellence. Great food with great company was the theme of the final night, breaking bread during exciting conversation as we
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• • • • • • •
ELCA Committee of Firms Jeff Foley, Owner/President - ParaSpace Landscape Inc Cody Zahradnik - Senior Lead - ParaSpace Landscape Inc Shelly Nyhan - Landscape Manager - ParaSpace Landscape Inc. Cable Baker, Owner - Down To Earth Landscaping Chris O’Donahue, Owner/President - Great Canadian Landscaping Brittany Pifer, Estimator - Great Canadian Landscaping Heike Stippler, Owner - Heike Designs Mike Koch, Owner- Blue Bear Landscape Construction Landscape Canada Commodity
The next excursion of the ELCA Committee of Firms will be in Brno, Czech Republic, May 30 to June 2, 2024.
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IGCA CONGRESS
2023: ITALY HOSTS INCREDIBLE CONGRESS BY ANNE KADWELL, CLHT The annual International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) congress took place in Italy from September 24-30, where delegates from over 200 independent garden centre owners and operators all over the world got to experience excellence in food, fashion and flowers. The 30-member Canadian contingent at IGCA 2023 reported dazzling experiences, and memories they’ll cherish and bring back to implement at their local garden centres. It was Royal City Nursery owner Tanya Olsen’s first IGCA tour, and she was wowed by the experience. “I learned more in five days than I have in years,” she said. “The biggest take away for me was that, even though thousands of miles separate us, we SPONSORED BY:
all have similar challenges and have some great, unique ways of solving those challenges. It is within those challenges that I found kindred spirits with solutions I may have not thought of before.” Karen Van Duyvendyk, owner of Dutch Growers Home & Garden in Regina, Saskatchewan, was grateful to the Italian hosts for loading up the week with memorable experiences. “From private palace tours and stunning gardens, to flamethrowers and, of course, the food and wine. It was a truly magical week and one we can’t say enough good things about.” Delegates visited garden centres big, small, and some brand new. There were so many
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IGCA CONGRESS demonstrations of effective ways to keep clientele visiting during the colder, slower months, including offering an abundance of home décor and pet supplies. The creativity of the merchandising and use of store capacity to showcase a diverse product selection was impressive. A larger garden centre had hands-on workshops going on throughout their store with one-onone instruction. Every new location visited seemed to have something for everyone. Bill Hardy, CNLA President and owner of Grow & Gather in Maple Ridge, BC, said the Italian garden centres left a remarkable impression. “Having visited garden centres in various countries during my travels, I’ve noticed a significant shift in their offerings,” he said. “The traditional focus on plant sales has evolved, and garden centers now offer a broader range of products and services, making them much more than just places to buy plants.”
Ashleigh Munro, Garden Centre Coordinator at Kiwi Nurseries in Acheson, Alberta, enjoyed the constant, lively dialogue going on between like-minded individuals. “Everyone there has the unique ability to fully understand the challenges you are facing working with family and with the added pressure of the seasonality of a garden centre.” IGCA 2023 stimulated all of our senses with extravagant sights, captivating fragrances, and delicious food. During the event, Canada’s crew of delegates wore their blue IGCA 2024 shirts to promote next year’s Congress taking place August 25-31 in Québec City and Jamie Aalbers, Growers Specialist Montreal. Registration is open forSector what promises to be an jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca extraordinary experience to close out summer 2024.
GROWERS
GARDEN CENTRES Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CLIMATE CHANGE In Memory of Peggy Godfrey Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
Peggy loved to attend IGCA Congress and this is where she left us. Peggy was known for making strong connections, lifelong friendships, and led the way for women in the industry. She would have been proud as her son Robin Godfrey and grandson Alexander Godfrey carried on with experiencing Italy’s Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist congress. Our condolences to the Godfrey family. Donations in Peggy’s leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca memory can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Nova Scotia Branch, or Hope Blooms, a non-profit organization which supports underprivileged children through agriculture and culinary programs. “Life may not be the party we expected, but while we are Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator here, let’s dance!” edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GOVERNMENT
CERTIFICATION
COMMUNICATIONS
Online condolences can be forwarded to the family at Stuart Service, Media Coordinator peggygodfreycondolences@gmail.com
stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GREEN CITIES FOUNDATION
GCF PLANTING DAY:
VOLUNTEERS BRAVE THE WEATHER TO #GREENMYCITY BY STUART SERVICE The Birge Street Meadow got an extreme makeover on October 14 in this latest #GreenMyCity project partnership. With the help of more than 40 volunteers, nearly 300 native plants supplied by Connon Nurseries were put into garden beds as well as five trees from the City of Hamilton and Trees for Hamilton along a 700-metre strip of land across the street from Hamilton Health Sciences complex at 30 Birge Street. Brenda Duke is the founder of Beautiful Alleys, a
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Hamilton community group established in 2015 that organizes clean-up days across the city. The idea to revitalize the Birge Street Meadow came to her five years ago when she attended the grand opening of a community vegetable garden at the downtown Hamilton General Hospital campus. “We looked across the street, saw weeds and overgrown trees,” Brenda said. “And we said: ‘something’s got to be done about that.’” The ball got rolling on rejuvenating the meadow last summer when Brenda and volunteers
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GREEN CITIES FOUNDATION
“I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT NEXT SPRING, I’M SO EXCITED” -BRENDA DUKE
GROWERS
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GARDEN CENTRES Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CLIMATE CHANGE Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
and a splash of colour to it really helps bring the two landscapes together.” Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist
On October 14, the space in between those raised gardens got the attention needed to create major visual improvements for staff, patients, and visitors to Hamilton Health Sciences.
Thank you for the generosity of time and donations from so many individuals and organizations including GCF’s National Platinum sponsor RBC Insurance, Beautiful Alleys, Turf Systems, Oriole Landscaping, Landsource Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca Organix, Environment Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences and The Butterfly Project.
Alan White, Chair of the Green Cities Foundation said work done at the Birge Street Meadow perfectly aligns with the organization’s mission to connect plants and people for a greener, healthier urban climate. “Having the naturalized area with a little bit of formality 24
GOVERNMENT
installed raised-bed pollinator gardens on the corners of Wellington and Birge Street and Victoria and Birge Street.
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leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CERTIFICATION
COMMUNICATIONS Stuart Service, Media Coordinator stuart@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
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CERTIFICATION
COMMITTEE AIMS TO STRENGTHEN LHCP BY EDITH OYOSORO, CAE
GROWERS
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
A full-day strategic review by the Professional Development Committee (PDC), comprised of volunteers and provincial association staff from across the country, was recently held in Milton, Ontario, brainstorming ways to improve the practicality, participation, and performance of the Landscape Horticulture Certification Program (LHCP). The strategic review, a hybrid meeting facilitated by an external consultant, examined feedback, and proposed changes to the LHCP program based on the results of a survey conducted this summer of members and non-members to better understand perceptions of the certification program and its adequacy to meet industry needs. The committee determined professional development vision statements, to “Build skills training programs behind credentialing” SPONSORED BY:
and to “Increase the number of credentialed practitioners,” and the steps needed to pursue this new vision.
GARDEN CENTRES Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist
Outcomes from the review were approved by the anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca PDC at a follow-up meeting. An ad-hoc committee was formed, tasked with identifying relevant skills training for credentialing. The committee will further explore new partnerships to transform Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator how skills trainingfrydda@cnla-acpp.ca is delivered towww.cnla.ca achieve greater interest in the program and to meet the new vision of the strategic review. This continued work will inform next steps to revitalize CNLA participation in growing humanLeslie resource capacity to meet Sison, Industry & Government Specialist industry needs. leslie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
CLIMATE CHANGE GOVERNMENT
CERTIFICATION Edith Oyosoro, Certification Coordinator edith@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
COMMUNICATIONS
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CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
CNLA OBSERVES
THE UN’S CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE BY FRYDDA SANDOVAL, CAE The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to climate action. Recently, CNLA was admitted as an observer organization to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, marking a noteworthy achievement for the association. In this article, we will explore the vital role CNLA plays as an observer organization at the UNFCCC and the impact it can have on shaping global climate policy.
Understanding the UNFCCC and Observer Organizations The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty established to address the pressing issue of climate change. This UN organization aims to reach a global consensus on actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
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CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION
The Paris Agreement calls on all actors to undertake rapid climate actions “in accordance with the best available science.” High-quality ground-based measurements of greenhouse gases form the basis of excellent science and are a vital tool to support national strategies on climate action and strengthen emission reporting by countries.
promote the benefits of greenery and nature-based solutions. Actively participating in COP meetings and related forums allows CNLA to share valuable insights, best practices, and research findings with the global community. •
2. Collaboration and Partnership: Observer organizations have the unique opportunity to collaborate with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders on climate-related projects and initiatives. CNLA can forge partnerships that advance its mission while contributing to global climate objectives.
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Observer organizations, like CNLA, are entities that are not parties to the convention but are permitted to participate in UNFCCC meetings and processes. These organizations play a pivotal role in the negotiations, offering valuable expertise, perspectives, and recommendations on climate-related issues.
3. Influence on Policy and Decision-Making: CNLA’s presence at UNFCCC meetings allows it to influence climate policy and decision-making processes. By engaging in discussions, providing input, and offering innovative solutions, CNLA can contribute to shaping effective climate strategies and actions.
CNLA’s admission as an observer organization to the UNFCCC highlights its dedication to advancing its member’s products and services. The association is a national not-for-profit federation of nine provincial landscape and horticulture associations representing over 4,600 members. Comprising thousands of locally owned companies that grow, sell, design, install, and maintain plants and other landscape features.
To represent CNLA at UNFCCC meetings, a delegation comprising Bill Hardy, CNLA President, Alan White, Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist Climate Adaptation Committeewww.cnla.ca Chair, Phil Paxton, jamie@cnla-acpp.ca COHA representative, and Dr. Audrey Timm from AIPH will attend. This delegation will play a crucial role in advancing CNLA’s mission on the global stage and driving positive change in climate and Specialist Anne Kadwell, Landscape policy & Retail Sector anne@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca environmental stewardship.
The UNFCCC serves as the framework for global cooperation to combat climate change and its impacts. The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, convened under the UNFCCC, bring together nations from around the world to discuss and negotiate climaterelated matters.
As observers, CNLA holds several crucial responsibilities and opportunities within the UNFCCC process: • 1. Advocacy and Knowledge Sharing: CNLA can advocate for policies and initiatives that SPONSORED BY:
GROWERS
GARDEN CENTRES CLIMATE CHANGE Frydda Sandoval, Environmental Policy Coordinator frydda@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
GOVERNMENT
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Leslie Sison, Industry & Government Specialist
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GROWERS
ALWAYS TOGETHER ROSE TO DEBUT IN 2026 BY JAMIE AALBERS, BSc (Agr) Hort The CNLA New Plant Development Committee (NPDC) in partnership with Communities in Bloom (CiB) and the Never Alone Cancer Foundation (NACF) is proud to introduce for spring 2026 the Always Together Rose. This rose is a sport of the very popular Never Alone Rose and has proven to be stable for the last 7 years. For the past two years, a selected group of growers from across Canada have propagated the Always Together Rose. This rose has been relatively easy to propagate from cuttings, shows vigorous growth and displays extremely well in pots. Currently there are over 5,200 Always Together rose plants growing at these growers and initiated at the tissue culture lab.
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All CNLA grower members will have the right to grow this rose once a signed propagation/ growing agreement is signed. Rose liners, 2 gal stock plants and tissue culture liners will be available for spring 2024. Interested growers should contact Jamie Aalbers at the CNLA office for a propagation/ growing agreement and to get the name of the grower and tissue culture lab who have Always Together liners to sell for spring 2024. The marketing synergy of the three partners (NPDC, CiB, NACF) will be combined for the Always Together Rose market introduction for Spring 2026. Respond soon so that you do not miss this opportunity to offer the Always Together Rose to your 2026 market. SPONSORED BY:
GROWERS CNLA Participates in US National BTM Safeguarding Meeting On October 24th and 25th, I was invited to attend the National Plant Board meetings in Cincinnati to hear from U.S. state and federal regulators, researchers and industry on the U.S. response and future directions for Box Tree Moth. My presentation to the group focussed on the Canadian experience with BTM, the need for USDA-APHIS to recognize BC as a pest free area, and that future regulations should be harmonized with Canada’s systems approach and pest module developed within the Clean Plants program and the CFIA BTM Directive. Although they did not commit to a timeline, USDA-APHIS did indicate that they will deregulate Ilex spp. and Euonymus spp. and will limit imports of Buxus spp. from Canada to plants grown in a pest free area. British Columbia should meet the criteria for this. To maintain pest free status there will need to be continued surveillance and actions in place to maintain pest freedom, such as the continued east to west prohibition of domestic movement of boxwood. USDA-APHIS has established a working group to develop systems approaches and standardized compliance agreements for BTM. I see this as very positive and hopefully will lead to an over-arching federal program for BTM in the US. AmericanHort were strong supporters of using the pest module we developed as the template and urged that the working group move quickly as growers in infested states will need these by the spring. In a day of tours, we visited some infested landscapes in Loveland
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County, Ohio where state extension staff provided updates on the biology of the moth in Ohio, what feeding damage looks like and current surveillance activities. This past summer, there were three generations of moths in the traps, potentially indicating that southern Ohio temperatures allow for three life cycles of BTM. In Ontario there are two life cycles. Many thanks are extended to the NPP for the invitation to attend this very important BTM event and to Craig and Michael from AmericanHort for their solidarity and support working with us to get to this point in BTM management in North America.
Now is the Time to Implement Spotted Lanternfly Best Management Practices In October, an adult spotted lanternfly was found in Niagara, Ontario wrapped in the plastic shrink-wrap of a pallet of boxed plants imported from an infested state in the US. It was not alive, but this does point to how easily this pest can be spread. Nursery growers across Canada need to be thoroughly inspecting any plants or supplies being delivered from infested areas in the US.
Why are Trees in the City Prematurely Dying? If you have ever walked down a treelined street on a hot day, you know the obvious value of urban trees. We are also very aware that city trees have a range of less obvious benefits too, from flood control to improving our mental health. As a result, when an urban tree fails, there are financial, social and environmental costs within society. And similarly, when urban green spaces are expanded successfully there are financial, social and environmental benefits within society. It takes some 10 years after a tree is planted for it to become established and grow a cooling canopy and, depending on the city and the species, a tree must survive two or three decades before it reaches it’s maximum environmental and health benefits. Yet too many trees in urban areas do not survive the first five years after transplant. We need to understand why trees are dying and develop practices that ensure the long term survivability of urban trees. A city of saplings is no replacement for a long-lived urban forest.
CNLA has developed Best Management Practices for Spotted lanternfly that were developed to help nurseries employ practices to prevent the entry of SLF on your farm, and what to do if you do detect SLF. These BMPs are free for all, please share them with staff and colleagues. They can be found on the Clean Plants website (cleanplants. org).
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GROWERS In Boston MA, where researchers have scrutinized the local trees for decades, around 40% of saplings die within seven years of planting-- far too early to realise their benefits. In New York, more than a quarter of trees planted in 2009 were dead within nine years. So, despite planting drives, urban tree cover across the US has fallen by about 36 million trees per year. Mortality rates, abiotic and biotic stress factors, and planting and maintenance practices have been identified by Canadian leaders in the nursery and landscape industry as being areas of concern for the urban forests across Canada. The CNLA Research Committee partnered with the University of Saskatchewan to conduct a nation-wide survey of 8 major Canadian cities to better understand and report on the most prevalent and identified causes of urban tree mortality. Anecdotal survey responses found that the average mortality rate within major Canadian cities is between 5 and 10% and this rate of mortality is not dependent on regional hardiness zones, but rather the management strategies used, or not used, to mitigate stress variables.
Most Canadian urban forestry programs have problems related to water stress, soil quality, saline soils and heat stress. These types of abiotic environmental stresses are to be expected and were not of a surprising nature. But many respondents reported that anthropogenic factors such as vandalism, planting practices and human error were also important causes of mortality. Socioeconomic factors also play a role in the health of the urban forest, Wealthier neighbourhoods tend to have a more diverse urban canopy as residents have the means to purchase unique and diverse species, and the rates of tree vandalism are much lower than in less affluent neighbourhoods. The urban forest is vastly influenced by human preference and decision making process. Recent research studies in the US and Canada hypothesize that restoring the root microbiomes of city trees could help them live longer. Emerging research suggests that unhealthy microbiomes may make trees more susceptible to the stresses they face in the city.
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From a small study conducted in southern Ontario in 2009 the researchers found that the roots of urban trees were colonized by substantially fewer symbiotic fungi than comparable rural trees, and that there were fewer species present. But a study following this one, in Boston, found that urban forests in that city had more of these fungi than the rural forest did. However, as in Ontario there were fewer fungi colonizing the tree roots. In the very different settings of Bogota, Colombia, they are finding that trees growing in parks have fewer symbiotic fungi compared with trees growing in tropical forests outside the city. However, the microbiomes of street trees growing in pits surrounded by concrete are comparable with those of rural trees. One of the reasons for this may be that dogs don’t pee on these trees with their N rich urine. Miranda Hart, a UBC researcher suggests that it would be premature to draw a link between changes in microbiomes and higher mortality of trees in urban forests. But these findings hint at yet another way in which urban environments can undermine complex ecological interactions. Inoculation with native microbiomes (adding a handful of soil from a nearby forest) could help urban trees, but it’s unlikely that it would ever be enough to address the larger-scale issues that disrupt urban soil microbiomes. We must fix these problems if we want microbes to survive. Clearly the issues surrounding urban tree mortality are complicated and diverse. But to ensure the urban environment receives the benefits healthy trees provide, research needs to continue to identify the holistic solutions required. The CNLA Research Committee recently passed a motion to financially support further research on urban tree mortality in Canada. Dane Harder, a University of Saskatchewan student who completed the initial survey as part of his undergraduate thesis will expand and repeat the municipal survey increasing the sample size to include more cities. He will also conduct field research in an attempt to scientifically identify the issues causing early tree mortality in Canada’s urban forests. There’s certainly more to come on this topic in future years, as the Research Committee works with Dane to advance the research needed in this area. Urban Street Tree Mortality: a Canada wide survey looking into the rates and causes of municipal tree failure – Dane Harder University of Saskatchewan, March 13, 2023 The trees in our cities are dying – a sick microbiome may be to blame, James Dinneen, New Scientist, October 17, 2023
GROWERS
Jamie Aalbers, Growers Sector Specialist jamie@cnla-acpp.ca www.cnla.ca
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Anne Kadwell, Landscape & Retail Sector Specialist
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