SPRING 2022 VOL. 10, NO. 2
A LANDSCAPE ALBERTA MEMBER PUBLICATION
2021 Landscape Awards
Building Strategic Relationships
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GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 2
SPRING 2022 VOL. 10, NO. 2
CONTENTS
ADVANCING THE PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY MANAGING EDITOR Joel Beatson CONTENT & EDITING Kyla Hardon LAYOUT KWL Design Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional publication for the landscape trade in Alberta. Editorial and Advertising Landscape Alberta 18051 107 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1K3 P: 780-489-1991 F: 780-444-2152 admin@landscape-alberta.com Landscape Alberta does not assume responsibility for and does not endorse the contents of any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Landscape Alberta or its members. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of Landscape Alberta.
04
Industry and Association News
08
Alberta Highways Final Report
10
Building Strategic Relationships (Part 1)
12
2021 Landscape Awards
ISSN No: 1929-7114 (print) ISSN N0: 1929-7122 (online) Landscape Alberta Board of Directors Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd., Chair Ken Ruddock, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd. Jeff Oudyk, CSLA, AALA, JLG, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd., Vice Chair John van Roessel, CLM, CLT, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Treasurer Matthew Chausse, Seasonal Impact Laura Watson, Finning Canada Adam Jansen, The Jansen Group Landscape Alberta Staff Joel Beatson, CAE, CLM, CEO joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com Marnie Main, Member Services Director member.services@landscape-alberta.com Kyla Hardon, Communications Coordinator kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com Lisa Brick, Events & Relationship Coordinator lisa.brick@landscape-alberta.com Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper accounting@landscape-alberta.com On the Cover 2021 Landscape Award Winner, Residential Landscape Design, Lowe-Emond, Planta Landscape Inc. Follow Our Social Media Instagram: @landscapealberta Twitter: @landscapeab Facebook: @landscapealberta
GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 3
Industry and Association News Fuel Tax Act special notice Vol. 1 No. 44 : Alberta fuel tax relief This special notice provided by Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA) announces that beginning April 1, 2022 the Government of Alberta will stop collecting fuel tax in order to provide relief from the current high fuel prices. Collection of fuel tax is expected to resume by the later of July 1, 2022 and the time when West Texas Intermediate prices fall below $80 US per barrel.
Congratulations Val! On February 28th, Valerie Stobbe officially retired after more than 23 years with Landscape Alberta. Valerie (Val) was a valuable staff person for the association for many years, and an incredible co-worker and friend to those she worked with. She will indeed be missed in immeasurable ways, but we are very happy for her. It won’t be same at the Green Industry Show without her beaming smile and her basket of chocolate for ‘her exhibitors’. Some of her duties will be shifted to others, most notably Lisa Brick taking on the tradeshow component of the position. A new staff member will join the team soon but will never replace Val in our hearts.
Gas Prices Got You Down? With the cost of EVERYTHING on the rise these days, every bit of savings can make a big difference, even at the pump. As a member of Landscape Alberta, be sure to take advantage of these fuel discounts offered to members through their membership. Esso: Save time, and money, while using the Esso Business & Fleet Cards at retail locations. Parkland: Per litre discount on retail fuel, cardlock and bulk fuel. Petro-Canada: Per litre discount on retail fuel and 15% OFF car washes! Looking for more ways to save? Check out the full list of Member discount programs at: https:// cnla.ca/learn/member-savings.
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Industry and Association News
Print your own Certification of Recognition Employers now have access to a PDF file of their Certificate of Recognition (COR)! No more waiting for the mail. Employers can access and print their own certificate through their myWCB account with the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta. This is the same location where you can print your Partnerships in Injury Reduction reports. To download or print your COR certificate, just log into your myWCB account and click on Reports and Invoices. If you need assistance accessing your myWCB account, contact the eBusiness Support Team at 1-866-922-9221. This new service significantly decreases red tape and increases efficiency by reducing turnaround time for a COR to reach its employer. As soon as your COR is approved, you can access it. Please note, certificates are only available through your myWCB account, or upon request to your certifying partner.
Year of the Garden 2022 You’re invited to join in the fun and “Live the Garden Life” during the Year of the Garden 2022, a celebration of everything garden and gardening related in Canada. The Year of the Garden will publicly launch on March 20, 2022, the first day of spring, and between now and then, members of Canada’s Garden-Family – from growers to garden centres and retailers, designers, landscapers, the garden experience sector from public gardens, horticultural societies and garden clubs, to garden communicators, and educators – are all invited to engage with Canada’s Year of the Garden 2022 activities. Discover the many ways you can celebrate today’s vibrant garden culture at home, at work, in school, in your community, and at public gardens across the country from the Planter’s Moon in the spring of 2022, to the Frost Moon in the fall. Watch for the full Year of the Garden 2022 website launching soon! Yearofthegarden.ca
Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply’s new CEO Announcement
Nathan has worked for Eagle Lake for over 8 years, moving from LiveRoof and bulk media sales manager to Vice President and now CEO. He has proven to be a great leader, innovator and has been instrumental in transforming our business to industry leaders in Green Infrastructure. With an excellent supporting team, Nathan is well equipped to bring our business to the next level.
Humboldt Garden Update Landscape Saskatchewan continues to be very busy on the Humboldt Urban Garden Sanctuary (HUGS). We have several items remaining for installation this spring, including a gazebo, garden benches, landscape lighting, and the art piece central to the garden’s memorial components for the Broncos. If you are interested in volunteering this spring please let us know with a quick email to admin@landscapealberta.com or if you you’re short on time but still want to contribute you can donate via our partners at the Green Cities Foundation.
We’d like to announce Nathan Gill as our new CEO at Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply & Eagle Lake Turf Farms. GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 5
https://gcfoundation.ca/ project-humboldt-sk-2021/
Industry and Association News Elm Pruning ban starts April 1st This a reminder that the elm pruning ban starts April 1. Dutch elm disease (DED) and its elm bark beetle vectors are declared pests under the Agricultural Pests Act (APA). There are Provincial DED Prevention and Control Measures in place that are enforceable under this act. Number 1 and 2 address the elm pruning ban in Alberta. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/dutch-elm-diseaseprevention-control-measures-responsibilities-authority-apa 1. Elm Pruning Ban Pruning ban period means the period commencing on April 1 and ending on September 30 of the same year. Elm bark beetles (EBB), the vectors of DED, are active between these dates and can be attracted to the scent of fresh tree cuts, possibly infecting a healthy tree. 2. Elm Preventive Pruning Pruning elms can only be carried out commencing October 1 to March 31 the following year. Elm trees can be removed any time of the year (4. - Elm Tree Removal)
Preventive pruning is essential to eliminate breeding material for the elm bark beetles (EBB). Preventive pruning is the systematic removal of dead, damaged, or diseased (other than from DED) branches from healthy elm trees. If a tree is dead or dying it should be removed. All elm wood must be properly disposed (4 - Elm Tree Removal ; 5a - Elm Wood Disposal). Keeping elms well-maintained will aid in the control of DED. Improper pruning techniques and tree topping can weaken the elm tree, creating a hazard and increase the risk of attracting EBBs. To avoid spreading DED, all equipment must be sterilized before pruning a different elm tree. To sterilize your tools, use methyl hydrate, a 25% solution of bleach and water, or a 70% concentrate of rubbing alcohol. Note that bleach can rust iron-based tools.
City of Edmonton – Snow Removal Damage to Trees The Landscape Alberta office is starting to hear concerns about how the changes in City of Edmonton’s snow removal procedures will impact landscape and tree survivability this coming spring. The amount of snow in the Calgary Office : 403-263-4200
Peter Krebs (Sales Manager) : 587-434-6638 Rob Veno (Northern AB) : 780-910-8402 David Schramm (Central AB) : 403-934-1276
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Industry and Association News windrows this year could lead to greater losses of trees on pre-FAC sites. We are asking members to document losses with pictures as the snow begins to melt. If there are systemic losses that can be attributed to snow piling or plowing, we will need evidence to support discussions with City administration. Please email any concerns to joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com.
City of Edmonton – New Tree Protection Bylaw A new permit process for tree protection and preservation comes into effect on May 1, 2022. The Public Tree Bylaw requires a permit and a tree protection or preservation plan for any work done within five metres of a boulevard and open space tree or within 10 metres of a natural stand. Information about the permit process is now available. The bylaw passed on August 30, 2021 and applies to City-owned trees only. This includes sample tree protection drawings that can be used to help standardize the permit application process. The bylaw does allow for fines for those not complying with the permit process in addition to penalties for any damage caused to city owned trees.
www.marsh.ca/quote. For commercial insurance program inquiries, please call your Marsh Canada Limited licensed insurance broker at 1 888 949 4360 or email cnla.hortprotect@marsh.com.
Stormwater management engagement Alberta Parks and Environment is looking for feedback from stakeholders on proposed amendments to the Water (Ministerial) Regulation to exempt low-risk stormwater use from requiring a Water Act licence. Stakeholder feedback will help inform proposed regulation amendments that address: • specific volumes of stormwater that should be exempt from requiring a Water Act licence • specific uses of stormwater that should be exempt from requiring a Water Act licence • whether regions facing water scarcity should have different stormwater licensing exemptions If are interested in participating in the consultations on behalf of Landscape Alberta please email joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com.
For more information please visit - https://www.edmonton.ca/residential_ neighbourhoods/gardens_lawns_trees/ trees-construction
Get Certified This Winter Advance your landscape horticulture career and business by getting certified this fall/winter. LHCP certifications are fully aligned with Red Seal Standards and other nursery and landscape industry guidelines. Hands-on practical and written tests are delivered entirely online! Test at your convenience!
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Home and Auto Benefits for your employees Member employees are eligible for preferred group rates for their home and auto insurance needs through Marsh’s Private Client Services at 1 877 476 6727. If you would like a reminder before your renewal date, please visit GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 7
Alberta Highways Final Report Soil Health and Tree Performance Five Years Post Remediation
E
xecutive Summary This report covers activities related to the soil assessment and tree monitoring conducted across two Alberta Highway Planting Trial sites by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) between August 2016 and August 2021. While the original trial included three testing sites, Calgary, Airdrie and Edmonton, this report covers the results of two sites with prerestoration soil conditions more typical of urban and/or roadside conditions, Calgary and Airdrie respectively. Findings from Edmonton (2016 to 2019) were presented in the previous Greening Canada’s Highways Report (p. 50-59), the summary results of which can be found in Appendix A. Vineland identified, collected and analyzed soil samples, prepared maps and corresponding soil health reports as well as designed and conducted follow up monitoring on the 96 trial trees located across the Airdrie and Calgary trial sites. The Alberta Highway Planting Trial was designed to compare tree establishment and survival between the standard planting specification implemented by the Cities of Airdrie and Calgary and soil restoration treatments outlined by Vineland for highway roadside plantings. The trial consists of (i) pulp & paper residual and (ii) compost amendment treatments, (iii) a mechanical decompaction treatment and (iv) a standard planting practice ‘control’ treatment. All restoration treatments (decompaction, pulp and paper and compost amended beds) were implemented at both trial sites prior to planting in Spring 2016. Vineland’s organic amendment soil restoration treatments were expected to improve tree establishment and growth by reducing soil compaction and increasing soil organic matter, soil permeability, water-holding capacity and overall soil health as compared to the ‘control’ standard planting specification used for highway roadside planting in Alberta. Based on previous research, the mechanical decompaction treatment was expected to provide moderate improvements to soil compaction and tree establishment.
Within this report, Vineland presents the results pertaining to: • Airdrie and Calgary trial site soil health five years postrestoration (August 2021) • Post-planting tree performance (August 2016- August 2021) In the summer of 2017, 2019 and 2021, Vineland team members visited the Airdrie and Calgary trial sites to collect soil samples characterizing soil conditions throughout the five years following soil restoration. Post-planting tree assessments were conducted alongside soil sampling to characterize the performance of Ulmus americana ‘Brandon’ and Fraxinus pennsylvanica (multiple varieties) installed at both highway roadside planting sites.
GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 8
Read the full report: https://www.landscape-alberta.com/ 3527-90/research/
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5
1970-2020
Building Strategic Relationships (Part 1) BY JACKIE HART
Last month, I presented a couple of virtual seminars at Congress Conference Redefined… one of which seemed to strike a surprising response in terms of participant engagement, curiosity and gratitude for the ideas I presented.
STEP 1:
I thought that my readers here would like to learn the highlights too. Reading a 1000 word column isn’t quite the same impact as a 55 minute live presentation… but let me give you the ‘coles notes’. In my opinion, relationships can either help to make your business stronger, or they can break it. A few key, solid, well timed relationships can launch your business into its next level. And they can be your steady bread and butter. They can provide insight and creativity to innovate, pivot, and re-invent. They can challenge your status quo – pushing you to stretch your talent and beliefs. Without them, you’ll be paddling up stream – doing the heavy lifting yourself to keep your business moving forward, one inch at a time. So, how do you go about improving the quality and quantity of relationships? How do you prioritize decisions as to what relationships to nurture and abandon? Try these THREE STEPS to focus your energy and launch your relationship results:
RETURN ON TIME INVESTED – R.O.T.I.
Be intentional as to where you spend your time relative to developing important relationships in your business – suppliers, customers, advocates, community partners, allied trades, etc. Consider these three categories:
STEP 2:
Build relationships strategically, both inside and outside of your business. This diagram is a portion of a Business Roadmap that I developed in my coaching tool box. In this segment of the Roadmap©, I’m illustrating how the dynamics between your company’s ‘internal’ brand and ‘external’ brand are both separate and connected. Staff and customer experience both form the foundation which drives the steps above each. If you’re missing one of the levels, everything above it won’t be sustainable. Start from the bottom and work upwards – each level is a driver for the level above it.
This is the return to you for your time invested in the business. It could be salary, commission, dividend, bonus, profit, new skills/ training etc. POTENTIAL RETURN ON TIME INVESTED - P.R.O.T.I.
This is the return to the business on the time you spend outside of your ‘work tasks’. For example, networking at a local business group event, working on new offering/market share, peer groups, online communities etc. RETURN ON RELATIONSHIPS – R.O.R.
This is the returned intrinsic value to the business from relationships developed with suppliers, employees, colleagues, competitors, customers, community influencers. It’s your Word Of Mouth Referral Base. By taking stock of the activities you do which directly and indirectly support relationships, you’re going to be equipped to develop the key relationships your business needs to thrive.
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This is where the heart-beat of the company dwells. It’s where the experience that people have of the business, both inside and outside, translates into delight, engagement and success. I often think back to this quote from Simon Sinek: “Customers will never love your company until the employees love it first.” This is about recognizing when the emphasis of your focus needs to be on building relationships with your employees and when you need to shift that focus on building relationships with customers and others.
Building Strategic Relationships Part 1 While it’s true that all relationships need to be nurtured constantly, there are times in the growth and development of every business when attention must shift to respond to the every-changing dynamics of the business cycle. And, relationships need to be built strategically, and through a progression of layered steps. STEP 3:
The opportunities to build better relationships in your business run both broad and deep. How often do you make the time to assess how consistently your team is managing the relationships across your business? For example, do you have a ‘cooling off’ policy for staff to follow before responding to a text or email into which staff may have read ‘tone’ and might respond inappropriately? Is there a standard sign-off, signature, greeting, firm hand shake (whenever that will be allowed again…) etc. What inspired me to focus on this, was a combination of horrific realizations that at times and in different ways, my staff were unintentionally misaligned with my company brand image and the clientele with whom we provided our services…. Who primarily were wealthy cottagers in the Muskoka region. There were little signs, here and there, and I felt that I always had to ‘script’ what staff would say to a customer or supplier…. To put my words and intention in their mouth so that the right sentiment, professionalism and ethic came across consistently. Ok, so I was a bit anal about my brand, but it paid off big time in loyal customers, referrals, aligned trades, helpful suppliers etc. I thought ‘common sense’ would direct staff toward ‘aligned’ behaviour. Boy, was I wrong. What it boils down to is this: Common Sense = Information + Experience. That’s it. Period.
I decided to create a list of every opportunity our team had to ‘make an impression’, and I put guidelines and processes in place for each one. I came up with a list of over 50 touch-points in my business on any given day… How many can you list? I covered the areas of Website, Social Media Channels, The Office phone/voice mail protocols, cell phone voice mail, Office visitors, Facility appearance, security, signage, visitor experience, Staff conduct off-site, Print media , public media, emails/contracts/correspondence, Interviewing, Hiring, Community, and Networking. The Touchpoint List and the resulting processes/protocols helped to guide my team to act and think in a way that was aligned with my brand consistently – with each other, with customers, suppliers and potential customers who saw our trucks and brand out in the community. As you head boldly into this new year and upcoming season, I invite you to pause and think about your relationship building strategy – to support and launch your business to its’ next level this year! Thank you for reading! Until next time.
Catch Step 4 in the Summer 2022 issue of Green for Life magazine.
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GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 11
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS
Each year, we see beautiful, welldesigned landscapes that truly showcase the best this industry has to offer. This year, stemming from 19 entries, there were 10 winners in the Merit category and 2 winners in the Excellence category. We congratulate 2021 winners: Planta Landscape Inc., Salisbury Landscaping, Jenron Creative Landscapes, OnGrowing Works Ltd., MaisonScapes and The Jansen Group. We would like to thank this year’s volunteer judges for taking their assignment seriously and giving so generously of their time and expertise: Adam Jansen, John van Roessel, Maria Galdon, Jeff Campbell, Andrew Heighton, and Mark Janzen. THE LANDSCAPE AWARDS PROGRAM The Landscape Awards reflect the association’s commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of the urban landscape. The program is also designed to reward independent landscape contracting professionals who execute top quality landscape projects.
The Landscape Awards program has four main objectives:
1. Encourage landscape contractors to be the best in their field 2. Provide a marketing opportunity to those companies that receive an award 3. Encourage a company’s employees to aspire to excellence 4. Provide an opportunity to compete in the National Awards of Landscape Excellence Members can enter projects into nine different categories covering construction, maintenance and design. Each entry is evaluated using a set of criteria; the submissions are not judged against each other. There are two award levels: a Merit Award goes to an entry that earns 70-84 points, and an excellence Award goes to an entry earning 85 or more points. Entries that achieve Excellence status are eligible to be selected for the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, a Canada-wide program developed by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. GREEN FOR LIFE SPRING 2022 • 12
EXCELLENCE
Residential Landscape Design
Georget
Planta Landscape Inc.
National Award of Landscape Excellence Nominee
Planta Landscape Inc.
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Lowe-Emond
National Award of Landscape Excellence Nominee
Residential Landscape Design
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS
Hildebrand
Residential Landscape Construction under $50K
Taylor Residence
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS
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Salisbury Landscaping
Residential Landscape Design
Planta Landscape Inc.
MERIT
Residential Landscape Construction over $100K
Auburn Lake House
Jenron Creative Landscapes
MERIT
OnGrowing Works Ltd.
Outdoor Water Harvesting Sanctuary
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Residential Landscape Construction over $100K
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS
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Residential Landscape Construction over $100K
MaisonScapes
OnGrowing Works Ltd.
Alberta Stormwater Management Pond
Residential Landscape Construction over $100K
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS Country Living High River
MERIT
Residential Landscape Construction over $100K
River Valley Reno
The Jansen Group
MERIT
The Jansen Group Hilliards Bay Estates
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Residential Landscape Construction over $100K
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS
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Landscape Feature - Residential
MaisonScapes
Planta Landscape Inc.
Landscape Feature - Residential
Rideau Road Entry Feature
2021 LANDSCAPE AWARDS Chuck Wagon Style Pergola
MERIT
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Let 2022 be the year you Everything blooms and your projects bloom!
in its own time
– Ken Petti
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