Message from the Director ] WSNLA

2023 is all about growing our roots - Plants, People & Passion!

Chavez WSNLA Executive Director

2023 is all about growing our roots - Plants, People & Passion!

With our mission of supporting your success in mind, the WSNLA Board of Directors, committees and volunteers are working to guide programs, develop resources, shape advocacy and bring you together with your peers in 2023. Please consider getting involved!

The WSNLA ‘Plant a Career in Horticulture’ task force has been diligently working a 3-part plan to promote careers in horticulture, including building stronger relationships with horticulture programs at colleges and universities across the state; participating in career events at WSU, University of Idaho & UW; and working with a video production contractor to ‘Tell the Story’ of career opportunities, success and fullfillment. If this is a topic you are interested in, we would love to have you join the committee or help get out this message.

This year, the online PROseries line-up will continue to expand. Steering committees for the Certified Professional Horticulturist and ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional certification programs are focused on cultivating the certified communities, improving communication, and promoting the value of the CPH and EPC designations to consumers. Learn more about what’s coming for both of WSNLA’s certification programs in 2023. (Certified Professional Horticulturist - page 23 and ecoPRO Certified - page 25.)

The GardenWashington brand, which includes the printed Guide and GardenWashington. com, continues to grow as a consumer resource. WSNLA received a 3-year marketing grant to promote ‘Plant Something Pollinator Friendly’. Funds will work to develop a pollinator resource page and a hub for pollinator focused member blogs on the site. Working with a creative firm, video and social media content will be developed to encourage consumers to Plant Something Pollinator Friendly. We would love to have you be a part of this fun campaign. If this is a topic you, or a staff member, are passionate about, please join the committee overseeing grant objectives.

FindPlantsPNW.com is your business to business resources, accessible via your computer, tablet or smart phone, for sourcing wholesale plants, products and services needed to do business.

WSNLA’s advocacy continues. If you were not able to attend the virtual Advocacy Update session in December, please turn to page 5 to meet our new lobbyist, Jesse Taylor. As we begin the 2023 Legislative Session, be sure to review your weekly legislative update and provide feedback on issues of concern or support.

Getting involved is easier now than it ever has been before! If not you, is there someone in your business that may be interested? I encourage you to visit www.WSNLA.org/GetInvolved or email me at breanne@wsnla.org. We need your voice!