May/Jun Green for Life 2015

A Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association member publication

May/June 2015 Vol. 3, No. 3

Landscape Design: Inspirations and Industry Trends Benefit Plan “Late Applicants”: A Potential Liability?

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May 7, 2015 Arbor Day – Calgary Grant MacEwan School, Calgary, AB May 8, 2015 Arbor Day – Edmonton Gold Bar Park, Edmonton, AB

Advancing the professional landscape industry.

MANAGING EDITOR | Joel Beatson LAYOUT & PRODUCTION | Kyla McKechnie EDITOR | Marnie Main ADVERTISING | Erynn Watson

Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional publication for the landscape trade in Alberta.

May 14 - 15, 2015 Skills Canada Alberta Provincial Competition Edmonton Expo Centre, Edmonton, AB www.skillsalberta.com May 27 - 30, 2015 Skills Canada National Competition Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK www.skillscanada.com

Editorial and Advertising Landscape Alberta 200, 10331 - 178 Street NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5 P: 780-489-1991 F: 780-444-2152 admin@landscape-alberta.com

June 19 - 21, 2015 Garden Days www.gardendays.ca

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.

September 9 & 10, 2015 CanWest Hort Show Tradex Exhibition Centre, Abbotsford, BC www.canwesthortshow.com September 30 - October 3, 2015 Communities in Bloom 2015 National Symposium Kamloops, BC www.communitiesinbloom.ca

Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of Landscape Alberta.

ISSN No: 1929-7114 (print) ISSN N0: 1929-7122 (online)

Landscape Alberta Board of Directors Chris Brown, CLP, JLG, CSO, CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd., Chair Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd., Vice Chair

Steve Wheatcroft, B. Comm, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd.

Jeff Oudyk, CSLA, AALA, JLG, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd.

October 7 - 8, 2015 Canadian Greenhouse Conference Scotiabank Convention Ctr, Niagara Falls, ON www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com November 16 - 18, 2015 HortEast Conference & Trade Show Moncton Coliseum Complex, Moncton, NB www.horteast.ns.ca November 19 & 20, 2015 Green Industry Show & Conference BMO Centre, Calgary, AB www.greenindustryshow.com

Jordan Voogd, JLG, Sunstar Nurseries Ltd.

John van Roessel, CLP, CLT, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Anita Heuver, JLG, Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd. Landscape Alberta Staff Joel Beatson, CAE, CLP, Executive Director joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com

Marnie Main, Member Services Director member.services@landscape-alberta.com

A Landscape Alberta Nursery Trades Association member publication

May/June 2015 Vol. 3, No. 3

Erynn Watson, Member Services Assistant erynn.watson@landscape-alberta.com Valerie Stobbe, Trade Show Coordinator valerie.stobbe@landscape-alberta.com Kyla McKechnie, Communications admin@landscape-alberta.com

Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper accounting@landscape-alberta.com

Landscape Design: Inspirations and Industry Trends Benefit Plan “Late Applicants”: A Potential Liability

On the Cover 2015 Award of Excellence Winner, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc., Tatham Landscape Design: Inspirations and Industry Trends, Page 13 Benefit Plan “Late Applicants”: A Potential Liability?, Page 8

Follow us on Twitter @landscapeab Green for Life May/June 2015 I 3

Industry and Association News...

New Board of Directors Landscape Alberta held its Annual General Meeting at the Coast Plaza Hotel on March 11, 2015 in Calgary. About 25 members were present to hear details on the previous year’s accomplishments and to elect the new board for 2015/2016: • Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd. • Steve Wheatcroft, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. • Jeff Oudyk, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. • Jordan Voogd, Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. • Chris Brown, CRS Brown Landscape Services Ltd. • Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd. • John van Roessel, JVR Landscape (2006) Ltd. • Anita Heuver, Eagle Lake Nurseries Ltd. Landscape Awards Presentation and Dinner Our annual Landscape Awards Presentation and Dinner was held March 11 at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary, in conjunction with our 2015 Spring Workshop.

It was an exceptional year for recognizing valuable industry members as four Executive Choice Award recipients were honored. Gord Koch of Olds College was recognized for his remarkable leadership in the restructuring of the Horticulture programs at Olds to create alignment with industry. The second award thanked George Yeaman (G & L Lawn Services Ltd.) for his long-time service to the Association’s board - his dedication to the industry is very much appreciated and remembered. The third went to Barry Paxton of Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. for his time volunteering with Landscape Canada and helping both the CNLA and Landscape Alberta develop strategic plans for the HR issues facing our industry.

The final Executive Choice Award recognized Harold Voogd of Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. for his many years as treasurer of the Nursery Growers Group. The Executive Choice Award recognizes members who have demonstrated dedication to helping the association grow and achieve its long-term goals.

Congratulations and many thanks to all of the recipients!

Retired Executive Director, Nigel Bowles, was also honoured as a Lifetime Member of Landscape Alberta. The board of directors bestows this rare membership status to individuals who provide outstanding service to the industry.

The 2015 Landscape Awards celebration featured 27 awardwinning projects this year. See pictures of the winning projects on pages 9 – 12.

We would also like to congratulate the companies whose award-winning entries have been nominated for the 2016 National Awards of Landscape Excellence: • ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. – Tatham, Town of Cochrane, La Rocque • JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. – Howard Residence • Salisbury Landscaping – Shemanchuk 2015 • High River Flood Recovery Project

4 I Green for Life May/June 2015

Landscape Industry Certified Evaluation Held at Olds College Landscape Alberta hosted a very successful Landscape Industry Certified test event on March 24 & 25, 2015 at the Olds College Landscape Pavilion. Thirty-one candidates challenged the exam this year and we congratulate all participants for their hard work.

This event marks our nineteenth year of providing certification exam opportunities to industry personnel on the prairies. Landscape Alberta staff members send a hearty thanks to each volunteer who gave their time and expertise to the tasks at hand: planning, calling, judging, timekeeping, emailing, digging, driving, arm-twisting and so much more.

We extend a special thank you to our facility host, Olds College, and the unwavering support of Jack Berggren in the Landscape Pavilion. This event would not be possible without the support of many industry suppliers who provide material, equipment and staff for this annual event. See event sponsors on page 17.

Landscape Alberta Heads to Ottawa As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the labour shortage situation for Landscape Alberta members, a small delegation traveled to Ottawa in late February. The team met with senior officials and politicians to discuss the historic, chronic and acute labour shortage faced by the landscape industry.

This included requesting immediate changes to the LMIA cap application process to allow for the seasonal nature of our sector. We also used this opportunity to start a dialogue regarding a long-term solution to our seasonal labour needs.

Currently, we are awaiting details on changes to the LMIA process and will communicate those as soon as they are released. Landscape Alberta will also be reaching out to members to meet with their local MPs and MLAs about solutions and encourage anyone with an interest to contact Joel Beatson at the Landscape Alberta office: 1-800-378-3198.

Nursery Producers Educational Bus Tour A one-day nursery bus tour has been planned for July 17, 2015 in Kelowna, BC. The tour will include stops at Bylands Nurseries Ltd., Stewart Brothers Nurseries and Quails Gate

Winery. Details are just being finzalized and more information will be emailed to members soon.

New Savings Program with Kubota Canada!

CNLA is very excited to announce a brand new Member Savings Program with Kubota Canada Ltd. Members receive 18-22% off the suggested list price, or discounts of 11-15% off the suggested list price for purchases made with 0% financing for 36 months.

Landscape Alberta members are to contact the CNLA Member Services Team at 1.888.446.349 for more information regarding specific discount amounts and to request a Member Confirmation Letter, which authorized Kubota dealers will require to administer the discount.

Grower of the Year Award Based on member feedback, the application process for CNLA's Grower of the Year Award has been modified to make it easier for nursery growers to participate in this program. The new process will see judges selecting up to three nurseries from the preliminary applications that are received and will invite each to compete as a finalist through completion of the full application form.

The winner of the 2015 Grower of the Year Award will be invited to receive their award at the CNLA's National Awards of Landscape Excellence ceremony in Winnipeg this August.

The CNLA Grower of the Year Award will also be submitted to the AIPH Grower of the Year Award, which will be presented at the IPM trade show in Essen, Germany in January 2016. Return airfare and hotel accommodations will be made available to the top entrants of this prestigious international event.

The deadline to participate in the preliminary round of judging has been extended to April 16, 2015. Visit http://bit.ly/1MQW8XQ for details.

Stats Canada Job Vacancy and Wage Survey Stats Canada is conducting a survey to collect information from Canadian employers on job vacancies for all occupations in all industries.

It will provide valuable information on labour market demand. The survey will provide reliable, comparable information on job vacancies and wages, and will be useful in identifying current and emerging labour

Green for Life May/June 2015 I 5

market pressures. Detailed information will be asked about each vacancy in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the vacancies that exist and the requirements for filling them.

The Job Vacancy and Wage Survey will provide labour market information, by occupation, on a quarterly basis for the various regions of Canada. This information includes: • the number of job vacancies and which regions are experiencing the most labour market pressure; • the average pay and hourly wages; • the distribution of job vacancies by level of education and experience sought; • the proportion of vacancies that are difficult to fill, by occupation; • the competitiveness of particular jobs.

Collection period: From February 2 to December 31, 2015 Collection method: Electronic questionnaire and telephone interview for non-response Survey participation: mandatory under the Statistics Act

During the winter months, October through March only, elm trees can be properly pruned of dead wood to help eliminate beetle habitat. Pruned elm wood must be destroyed (buried or burned) so that it cannot harbor the elm bark beetles - it is illegal to store elm firewood in Alberta.

Apprenticeship Scholarships The Apprenticeship and Industry Training Scholarships are designed to recognize the excellence of Alberta apprentices and trainees, and to encourage them to continue and complete their apprenticeship and occupational training.

For eligibility details and an application form, visit www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca. The deadline for application is June 30, 2015.

Thank you to our 2015 Spring Workshop Sponsors!

Minister Ritz announces Royal Assent of Agricultural Growth Act Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz recently announced that the Agricultural Growth Act (Bill C-18) received Royal Assent. The Agricultural Growth Act will modernize Canadian agriculture and increase trade opportunities for farmers.

Farmers now benefit from greater access to new crop varieties and the latest technology to remain competitive and meet the needs of Canadians. This new legislation strengthens agricultural intellectual property rights through the ratification of the Act of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, also known as UPOV'91, improves access to the latest scientific research, reduces red tape and regulatory burden on producers, and expands global market opportunities.

Minister Ritz tabled, before Parliament, a treaty to ratify the UPOV'91 Convention. The 1991 UPOV Convention is the international standard for plant breeders' rights. Being party to the UPOV'91 Convention will provide access to new and better tools to help Canada's farmers and agricultural industry grow their businesses and bring Canada in line with its major trading partners.

Elm Pruning Ban Now in Effect To help keep Alberta free of Dutch Elm Disease (DED), the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED) advises everyone to pay attention to the provincial elm pruning ban, which began on April 1 and continues to September 30.

Elm bark beetles, responsible for spreading the deadly DED fungus, feed on healthy elms and breed in dead and dying elm trees. If elm trees are pruned during the pruning ban period, these beetles which are active at this time can be attracted to the scent of the fresh wound and possibly infect your otherwise healthy elm with DED. Once an elm tree is infected with DED it will die within that year.

6 I Green for Life May/June 2015

New Members Welcome to our

Nigel Bowles Lifetime Member

Anew View Landscape Construction Ltd. Jeff Sawatzky Po Box 6098 Leduc, AB T9E 2A2 Phone: (587) 274-4402 Fax: (587) 274-0273 jeff@anewviewlandscaping.com www.anewviewlandscaping.com Lazic Services Dario Lazic 4602 Manitoba Road SE Calgary, AB T2G 4B8 Phone: (403) 888-1155 Fax: (403) 245-1112 info@lazicservices.com www.lazicservices.com

Rockyview Projects Ltd. Duncan O'Nions Box 1350 Bragg Creek, AB T0L 0K0 Phone: (403) 991-8439 djo@dunstonegroup.com www.rockyviewprojects.com

Softline Solutions AB Inc. Howard McIntyre 4611 Morris Road Edmonton, AB T6B 2V9 Phone: (780) 462-3133 Fax: (780) 462-0863 howardm@softlinesolutions.net www.softlinesolutions.net Surface Pro Services Doug Atkins 3303 57 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2C 0B2 Phone: (403) 457-1366 Fax: (403) 274-3816 doug@surfacepros.ca www.surfacepros.ca

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Green for Life May/June 2015 I 7

Benefit Plan “Late Applicants”: A Potential Liability for Businesses?

Below are the main points extracted from an Alberta Court Case where a firm was • found responsible for NOT enrolling a new employee into their group benefits plan.

The full details of the court case can be viewed by visiting the web link at the end of • the article.

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Count On

•

On July 7, 1998, a young employee started a job at a steel fabrication company in Alberta. His employment contract provided for a benefits package from an insurance provider. His waiting period to join the plan, however, was 90 days after commencing employment.

The Group Policy stated that an employee who becomes eligible for benefits must make an application for those benefits within 31 days of becoming eligible. Any • applications after the 31 day waiting period would require that the employee submit evidence of his insurability.

On February 23, 1999, the Group Enrollment form was completed by the employee, with his parents listed as the beneficiaries.

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•

The very next day, the 22 year-old employee died while on the job.

The Group Enrollment form that was completed the day before had an incorrect employment start date on it.

Based on that, the insurance company denied the initial life insurance claim for the parents of the employee on the basis that the employee did not complete the 3-month waiting period.

Proof was provided that the employee did indeed start prior to the 3 month waiting period and a subsequent claim was made by the parents. The insurance company, however, denied the claim a second time as he was determined to be a late registrant under the terms of the plan and did not provide the required evidence of insurability.

The parents of the employee sued the employer for negligence in failing to provide insurance coverage under an employment contract between the employer and the employee and demanded that the employer pay the benefits that would have otherwise flowed from the group policy. The total claim for damages amount was $92,000.00.

The employer claimed that the employee declined to apply for insurance coverage which disentitled him to coverage at the time of his death. The employer further claimed that it was the employee’s sole decision as to whether or not he enrolled in the plan.

What it boiled down to is that, even though the employer may have exercised due diligence in informing the employee of their options to join the plan, decline enrollment, or join as a late registrant, they could not prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they had done so. In the end, the judge decided to apportion the liability equally, and the employer was ordered to pay half of the damages.

y & Ser vice 8 I Green for Life May/June 2015

Located 5 kms m east east of Str Strathmor thmore, AB on Range aange Road Ro Roa oaad d 245 224455

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This article is provided by The Investment Guild – offering employee group benefits to members through the CNLA HortProtect insurance program. For more information about this valuable insurance program designed for businesses in the landscape industry, contact Sara Munshaw at sara@schmunkgattsmith.com.

2014 Landscape Awards

It took two days of judging to evaluate the 32 entries submitted for the 2014 Landscape Awards program. The judges gave 20 Awards of Merit and 5 Awards of Excellence. The 2014 Landscape Awards were presented at the annual Landscape Awards Dinner held at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary on March 11, 2015.

High Score Award Winners

Riley Paxton, Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping with Eric Heuver from Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply.

We would like to thank this year’s volunteer judges for taking their assignment seriously and giving so generously of their time and expertise.

Nigel Bowles, Living Legend Lise Prosser, Elite Lawn & Snow Inc. Jordan Voogd, Sunstar Nurseries Ltd. Jeff Oudyk, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. Donna Brown, Donna Brown Landscapes Kerri Buksa, Buksa Designs

We would also like to give a special thank you to Expocrete Concrete Products, Manderley Turf Products Inc., and Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply for being prize sponsors for the 2014 Landscape Awards. Top honours went to ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc., JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. and Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

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.

John Van Roessel, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. and Brian Brooker from Expocrete, an Oldcaste company.

The Landscape Awards program has four main objectives: • Encourage landscape contractors to be the best in their field • Provide a marketing opportunity to those companies that receive an award • Encourage a company’s employees to aspire to excellence • 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.

Arnold van de Ligt, Manderley Turf Products Inc. and Matt McAdam from ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc. Green for Life May/June 2015 I 9

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Merit

5. Solid Landscape Construction & Design Inc. Prentice Residence Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

1. Salisbury Landscaping Breitkreitz 2014 Landscape Construction under $50,000

6. Salisbury Landscaping Nixon 2013 Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

2. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping Staveley/Mendham Residence Landscape Construction under $50,000

7. Salisbury Landscaping Caouette 2013/2014 Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

3. Earthlings Inc. Kaskiw Residence Landscape Construction under $50,000

8. ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. Fullerton Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

4. Earthlings Inc. Kellet Residence Landscape Construction under $50,000

9. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping Johnstone Residence Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

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10. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Legacy - Traffic Islands Commercial Landscape Construction $100-$500,000

15. Year-Round Landscaping Inc. Knoll Residence Concept and Planting Plan Residential Landscape Design

11. Alpha Better Landscaping Inc. Legacy Phase 1 - East West Pond Commercial Landscape Construction over $500,000

16. Earthlings Inc. Storey Residence Residential Landscape Design

12. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping McManes Residence Residential Landscape Features

17. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Lennox MacDonald Residence Residential Landscape Design

13. ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. Springbank Hill HOA Commercial Maintenance

18. Julia's Alpine Garden Bernardo Project Residential Landscape Design

14. Salisbury Landscaping Shemanchuck 2015 Residential Landscape Design Green for Life May/June 2015 I 11

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Showcase your expertise and creativity...

Enter the 2015 Landscape Awards!

Watch for information on the 2015 Landscape Awards program in your inbox in the coming weeks!

The Landscape Awards program is only open to active members of Landscape Alberta.

Excellence

21. JVR Landscape (2006) Inc. Howard Residence Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

19. Homescapes Complete Residential Landscaping Mulloy Residence Residential Landscape Construction under $50,000

22. ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. Town of Cochrane Commercial Landscape Construction over $500,000

20. ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. Tatham Residential Landscape Construction over $50,000

23. ULS Maintenance and Landscaping Inc. La Rocque Residential Landscape Design

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Landscape Design: Inspirations and Industry Trends A good landscape design can add function and value to any yard. Designers take the spaces presented to them, along with the vision of the client and turn them into beautiful landscapes that improve the use and value of the property.

Landscape Alberta spoke to a few member designers about what inspires their work and what trends they see coming in 2015.

aesthetic considerations. When selecting material, I look to capture the feel or essence of the space. And finally, as the ideas and concepts evolve, I consider the client’s budget which plays a key part of determining the final design.

Where do you find inspiration?

Jason: My inspiration has rarely come from other gardens. What I’ve been taught and, in part, what I’ve learned, is that beautiful design in one discipline can be echoed in another. The balance and line of furniture design, the boldness and substance of architecture or the creativity and strata of graphic design all enable me to approach design work from a different perspective.

Kirsten: Inspiration comes from all different places for me. What often

Design by Kirsten Hironaka, Earthlings Inc.

How do you approach a design? What influences your work?

Jason Stubbs: I was always taught to see each garden as a box and my task was to fill that box with the client’s hopes and dreams. As a result, all my design work is a reaction to the clients, their family, their home and their desires for the finished article. While it’s important for the client to be heard, sometimes it’s important for the client to be ignored. That way new and better ideas evolve and take shape.

Kirsten Hironaka: My primary focus when designing is to create a usable inviting landscape. This might sound boring, but there is nothing that saddens me more than a landscape that doesn’t draw you outside.

Bruce Kay: I begin all my design processes with first understanding who will use the space and how they will use it. I always plan for a balance between the intended use, and the client-driven

Green for Life May/June 2015 I 13

happens is my mind is focused on a particular element of a design and I notice ideas on the internet or in magazines and books. I really like using websites like houzz.com; lots of great inspiration there.

And of course, there is also inspiration that comes from visiting great landscapes in person.

Bruce: I am inspired by natural landscapes and recreating those natural places. There exist those spaces in nature that just make us feel right in the world, and I am always inspired when I am in them, can design them, or have created them for others to enjoy. The patterns I refer to as “Landscape Archetypes” commonly connect us to designed outdoor spaces when they appeal to our simplest human needs by providing shelter, or protection from harm.

Landscape Archetypes that inspire me include: A Cave, which creates a space with protection from all sides, top and bottom, allowing the person within to view, and thus know, the only potential source of a threat, while free from wind, sun and rain.

A Promontory, or high point, which maximizes vistas and provides protection by height, but is wide open to the elements.

A Harbour which is a space that generates positive space or “arms” that wrap around the space being used.

I have been fortunate in my career to have many mentors that inspire me. Some of my mentors that continue to impact my design process include Christopher Alexander and his book Pattern Language, Julie Moir Messervy, Virginia Burke and Ruth Olde who connects landscape to household utility terms such as living rooms, hallways and kitchens.

Design by Wade McArthur, OnGrowing Works Ltd.

What is your favourite part of designing a landscape for a client?

Jason: Undoubtedly the act of revealing design work for clients is a hugely exciting element of the process. I’m always looking to add elements in to a design that surprise and excite my clients; things that elevate the space in to something unique. Then at the garden’s completion, taking the time to connect with the finished space, breathing it all in can be incredibly rewarding.

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Kirsten: My favorite part of designing a landscape is when I get a

solid chunk of time in the wee hours and the creative juices are flowing; where all the thoughts that have been rolling around in my mind are actually set to paper.

Bruce: I thrive on working in collaboration with a client who is inspired by my concept design process. When a client and I work on creating and envisioning and dreaming together toward the same intended experience - this is my favourite part of landscape planning.

What new industry trends do you see coming this season?

Jason: Trends are for charlatans and as a result I have always felt that trends belong in the bin. If something looks as relevant now as it did 200 years ago, then the chances are it’ll look as relevant in 200 years’ time. So, study the history and evolution of Landscape Design, apply the rules and then break them where you can.

Are consumers finally understanding the true value of paying for a professional design?

Jason: Initially people need to see more value in landscaping and the effect a well-considered landscape can have on how they interact with the space. The opportunities afforded by a professional landscape design can elevate the space from something dull and mundane to something magical. The design process allows them to be part of that evolution rather than a bystander with a cheque book.

Kirsten: I think that consumers are beginning to understand the value of designers because we have begun valuing ourselves. I would say the answer to the question is yes.

Consumers can see the difference a professional design can make to a landscape and they want that for themselves.

Bruce: I believe it is our role as horticulturists to educate our clients. Through this education, our clients have always understood the value of our ideas, designs and experience, and we remain grateful for the amazing work opportunities they provide because they know the value of what they are paying for.

Jason Stubbs from Salisbury Landscaping in Sherwood Park worked with a small garden design practice in London and Dublin before starting at Salisbury. His focus is on designing gardens that amaze and inspire clients, leaving them with something unique that remains relevant for years to come.

Kirsten Hironaka is the principle designer for Earthlings Inc. in Lethbridge. She graduated from Olds College with a diploma in Horticulture in 1998.

Design by Jason Stubbs, Salisbury Landscaping

Kirsten: I definitely see a trend to be more water conscious and being more creative with groundcovers, rather than using the traditional Kentucky blue grass mixes.

Bruce Kay, Certified Landscape Horticulturist is the owner of OnGrowing Works Ltd. in Cochrane. He has worked in various roles and aspects of the industry for over 30 years, creating visions for his clients.

Business for Sale

Established and well respected high-end residential landscape construction company based out of Invermere, BC is for sale. Most prestigious client list in the province. For inquiries, contact Rick at rwferrier@shaw.ca. www.ferriers-waterscapes.com.

What past trends are you happy to see fall out of favour?

Kirsten: I don’t know… garden gnomes? Just kidding, but seriously I have seen way fewer “gravel-scapes” and that makes me happy!

Bruce: Inappropriate lawn areas and irrigation systems always disappoint me, and I am ecstatic to see people are understanding that the trend of having a green lawn is no longer the sustainable or responsible thing to do.

Hort Mart

Bruce: Water awareness continues to be a strong trend.

Specifically slow water, promoting both passive and active water harvest for re-use. Going back to the old ways with new technology and understanding rain gardens, bio-mimicry, water harvesting and food production in place of lawn maintenance, continue to dominate trends.

Buying? Selling? Hiring?

Rates start at $46 per inch Call 1-800-378-3198 to book your space today!

Green for Life May/June 2015 I 15

Exhausted or Drunk Behind the Wheel It Makes No Difference

Our society considers it unacceptable to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In Alberta, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .05 percent.

At this level, drivers are considered to be impaired. Thinking and reflexes slow down, judgment may be impaired, speech may slur, and there may be problems with memory. Drivers in this condition should not operate, nor should they be allowed to operate, any motor vehicle.

lack of sleep on human performance may force us to look at worker fatigue in the same way. Since fatigue or tiredness is so difficult to measure, the researchers compared impairment due to sleep deprivation with alcohol-induced impairment. While the laboratory setting may not always reflect the “real world”, the results may surprise you.

A 1999 study by Australian researchers on the effects of Subjects were kept awake and asked to perform four tasks at hourly intervals. The tasks judged the accuracy and speed of subjects on grammatical reasoning and vigilance (watchfulness) tests. Findings of the study suggest that after only 20 hours of sustained wakefulness, a person may be as functionally impaired as someone with a BAC of .10 percent. That’s a level of alcohol intoxication greater than the level legally permitted in Alberta.

The results of this study support the suggestion that even moderate levels of sustained wakefulness reduce performance to an extent greater than is currently acceptable for alcohol intoxication. Since approximately 50 percent of shift workers typically spend at least 24 hours awake on the first night shift of their work period, these findings have important implications to industries involving shift work.

The results are also important for anyone working extended hours over multiple days or weeks with inadequate periods of rest. Since sleep debt is cumulative, we can expect to see similar performance impairments in workers fatigued due to a lack of sleep.

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16 I Green for Life May/June 2015

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The message?

Sleep deprivation needs to be taken seriously since extended periods of wakefulness can significantly impair worker performance. Most employers have company policies to deal with alcohol and drug use. Some employers are now introducing fatigue management programs to prevent injuries and financial losses. No one would allow an intoxicated person to operate a motor vehicle. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider our attitudes towards allowing someone who hasn’t slept for the past 20 or more hours to operate a vehicle or dangerous equipment.

• • •

Lost for words? Sleep loss means you may have difficulty finding the words for what you want to say. Uh …uh … uh …

Taking more risks? Fatigue causes some people to take more risks as they try to avoid additional effort.

Only a few seconds? A “microsleep”, one of those naps lasting four or five seconds, is long enough for you to travel more than the length of a football field at highway speeds.

2015 Sponors

Danger signs If you experience any of these symptoms while driving, take them as a warning that you could fall asleep without meaning to.

• • • • • • • •

Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves.

You have trouble keeping your head up.

You can't stop yawning.

You have wandering, disconnected thoughts.

You don't remember driving the last few miles.

You drift between lanes, tailgate or miss traffic signs.

You keep jerking the car back into the lane.

You have drifted off the road and narrowly missed crashing.

If you have even one of these symptoms, you may be in danger of falling asleep. Pull off the road and take a nap. (National Sleep Foundation) Source: Work Safe Alberta

Green for Life May/June 2015 I 17

Helmut & Jane Huebner, Juniper Landscaping Ltd.

Tom Lastiwka, Tom’s Tree Farm

Marlene Semko

A look back at our association Pat Butler and Alf Savage

Robert Sproule, Salisbury Landscaping

The people in these photos have been identified to the best of our ability. If we have made an error or if you are able to identify someone in a photo, please email admin@landscape-alberta.com, so we can update our records.

18 I Green for Life May/June 2015

Southern Chapter Summer BBQ c.1980

From L to R: unknown, Jane McIntosh, Jenny Munson, Vay Pollock, Sandra Lastiwka and Alison Munro.

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