New Committee Chair Profile

Sustainable and Ecological Landscape Committee Chairman — Brandon Losey

by Meta Levin

Nearly seven years ago ILCA member and sustainability promotor, Tom Lupfer, recognizing a kindred spirit, approached a young ILCA member about joining the Sustainable and Ecological Landscape Committee.

“I was involved in MELA,” says Brandon Losey, now the committee chair. A few years later, MELA (Midwest Ecological Landscape Alliance) became a part of ILCA, where Losey also had been a long-time member. The rest, as they say, is history.

Losey, designer and sustainability director, marketing/social media coordinator and partner for Ringers Landscape Services, not only became the committee chair, but also is heading the Impact Conference committee.

Initially, the Sustainable and Ecological Landscape Committee was focused on creating guidebooks for landscape contractors who wanted to incorporate sustainable practices into their businesses. Their materials covered everything from rain gardens to general roadmaps for landscape contractors.

When MELA became part of ILCA, its conference came with it. “MELA always had put on a conference,” says Losey. “We decided to put on our own.” This year marks the third year for the ILCA Impact Conference.

A graduate of Iowa State University’s landscape architecture program, Losey was particularly intrigued when he began studying prairie plants. “It started me down the track of learning about landscaping in a more ecological and sustainable way,” he says.

Growing up, he worked in his parents’ garden, but chose Iowa State because of its design program. Landscape architecture was one of the options under that program. “I’ve always been an artist and loved the outdoors,” says Losey.

It began with a trip down the Mississippi river, looking at the native

Brandon Losey

plants. “I sketched the whole time,” he says. “I documented everything.” Not only did he draw, but he wrote explanations for a report on the trip. He considers the ability to draw and write, an advantage. “I can express what I’m trying to do.”

When, during his senior year, he was required to write a case study, he chose Ringers Landscape Services, run by his old high school buddy, Erik Ringstrand, and the place where he had spent his summers working. He looked at how the business could be changed to become more sustainable and when Losey graduated, the two became business partners.

Using what he learned, as well as his writing and drawing abilities, Losey created an internal presentation for Ringers’ employees, so that they understand what they are trying to do.

Losey is married to Laura, Ringers office executive. They have a two-yearold daughter, Quinn, with a second child on the way and live in Barrington. “We try to have Quinn out in the yard as much as we can.”

A self-described “music junkie,” Losey plays piano and guitar, often jamming in his basement with friends who also are musicians.

He has been an amateur beekeeper for the last seven years and has a couple of hives at his home, but also set up some at the Ringers’ shop. The honey goes towards Smart Farm, a local group that grows and donates fresh produce to food pantries. “We donate time and material,” he says.

He hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm for sustainable and natural landscaping. “We want people to think of the landscape as dynamic and ever changing,” he says. “We want them to find beauty in the diversity.”

RESERVE YOUR SNOW MACHINES TODAY!

ironrental.com 630-320-0860

DORMANT SEASON MULCHING? Absolutely!

There’s so much to recommend by switching up your routine and scheduling mulch application in the dormant season. Your customers will love it, and so will your bottom line.

Why You Should Try Dormant Season Mulching?

More and more of your colleagues are changing their programs and mulching from mid-October through April, and they’re reaping the benefits. By moving this job to the cooler months, they’re realizing savings in time and labor; they’re expanding their season of activity; and they’re reducing damage to plants, as well as increasing weed suppression. Plus—they’re making their clients happy.

So how–and why–does this work?

Crews can be kept busy, and working more efficiently, when the fall and winter programs include mulching. Perennials have been cut back and leaves that have fallen can remain on the ground to be mulched over. This not only reduces fall clean-up, but it adds organic matter to the soil and decreases your end-ofseason dump fees. And it’s easier, and more efficient, to apply mulch uniformly on a dormant garden bed than to spread it around and between emerging plants.

This is the time when weeds die off or go dormant, so it’s an excellent time to apply a consistent mulch layer that will settle in and provide reliable suppression, greatly reducing the need for spring weed management. The risk of mulch breakdown is lessened in colder weather, and because very few winters offer season-long snow cover, fresh mulch will serve as sufficient protection for dormant ornamentals. It also provides that finished “wow” factor that customers crave.

ContaCt our SaleS team: P: 630-365-1990 | F: 630-365-3818 MTSALES@MIDWEST-TRADING.COM WWW.MIDWEST-TRADING.COM

MIDWEST TRADING

HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, INC.® a Midwest-Orum Company