INFORM
RECAP ON THE INAUGURAL EVENT
Pro Landscaper USA is dedicated to connecting the three main sectors of the landscape industry: design, build, maintain. This happens by sharing ideas and experiences between industry professionals, and we do so by our magazine, online platforms and now a capstone event. The first FutureScape USA in the United States took place on March 24 in the Atlanta metro area. The day-long symposium brought landscaping leaders and innovators together to discuss the state of the industry in town hall-style meetings. Speakers covered numerous topics, determining why various challenges or changes are happening amongst landscapers and ways to use those factors to elevate the industry. Audience members engaged with speakers throughout the talks by asking questions and adding their own thoughts on the topic. The panels created a space for knowledge sharing and education between individuals who are passionate about the future of the landscape industry.
FIRST PANEL DISCUSSION OF THE DAY
PANEL 1 SUSTAINABILITY: A GREENER FUTURE The day began by discussing a topic that is foundational for many landscapers: building a sustainable world and a greener future. Joe Langton moderated the panel. Eric King, Cindy Code, Dan Mabe and Jim McCutcheon talked through what sustainability means to different groups and how they approach sustainable practices. Dan Mabe defined sustainability as sustaining people. “Sustaining people, sustaining businesses, finding a way to incorporate what is good for the planet into what is good for the work we’re doing. It allows landscapers to go into a community and enhance the quality of the grounds and of life,” said Dan. Cindy Code says her perspective is a bit different. “Sustainability is about maximizing all the inputs and outputs of a landscape.
JOE LANGTON We need inputs like water and pesticides and other features that renovate and protect a greenspace. We need outputs of a space for carbon sequestration and reducing runoff. Being sustainable is maximizing the work of all of these features.” They considered ways landscapers successfully create sustainable sites and ways they fall short. “Sustainability is a unicorn. The traditional maintenance approach is to mow, blow, edge, pick up or take away. We leave it the way it was when we were there last week. It’s a big reset. That is not nature though. Nature is constantly moving, always changing. It won’t work long-term. Nature doesn’t rain every day. That causes fungus and shallow roots. So why are we watering every day? Reuse the water, reuse the leaves. Educate people on why this is important. We need to find how to allow nature to move and that will create sustainable landscapes,” said Eric. They also dove into public perception of the green world and ways to embrace or protect nature.
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Pro Landscaper USA South May/June 2022
south.prolandscaperusa.com
