President’s Message

What are you Doing?

Several years ago, we realized that perceptions of our industry were not reflecting the positives that VTC members do on a daily basis with regards to protecting the environment. Great minds got together in 2016 to discuss ways to change those perceptions and the idea for the Come to the Bay industry conference was formed.

One focus of Come to the Bay was to educate and train industry persons on everyday actions performed during the course of landscape maintenance and how they have direct effects on water quality and impacts to all of Virginia’s waters. We have been able to show members that simple tasks such as keeping soils and fertilizers off hard surfaces have enormous benefits, especially preventing soil and sediment from eventually entering into the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterways.

With most VTC members tasked with more than just maintaining lawns and turf, Come to the Bay also focused on shrub and ornamental care, best management practices, and storm water pond maintenance practices.

Equally important was our willingness to seek input from groups outside the industry that held many of those false industry perceptions to be true. This willingness has become a hallmark of the conference with many of our former foes now helping to plan and implement programing. We invited many who might disagree with our industry to speak at the conferences. The Bee Keepers, Butterfly Societies, River Keeper Associations, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and others have seen the value of our services. Their involvement contributes to the success of Come to the Bay.

What changed people’s minds? Service projects! When we decided to put our money where our mouth was, former foes realized we had much more in common than many realized. Now, environmental groups ask: “When is the next service project and what can I do to help?”

Last year’s project at the Virginia Aquarium was a tremendous success. We were able to get dozens of area students to design the landscape, grow plants and install plants. Students worked side by side with industry. Together, they planted native vegetation at a demonstration pond and installed coir logs for erosion control. Student involvement has been crucial to the long-term success of our service projects – they will become tomorrow’s leaders.

Come to the Bay 2025 service project will be back at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Brock Environmental Center and Virginia Beach’s Pleasure House Point Park. Two years ago, we renovated a non-functioning Best Management Practice water retention area and installed flowering native plants as a demonstration that BMPs can be an attractive feature. That project has been a great success, generating much good will.

So, what are you doing to help? Service projects success depend on your willingness to volunteer time and provide financial support. I encourage you to look around your communities and be more involved.

Wes Bray

VTC President