Landscape & Irrigation

October 2015

Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.

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For our annual look at the state of the landscape and irrigation industries, Landscape and Irrigation recently asked Sabeena Hickman, CAE, National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) CEO, and Brent Mecham, CID, CLWM, CIC, CAIS, industry development director, Irrigation Association (IA), for their views on the issues facing the industry. L&I: Please give us a brief update regarding your association: what's new or different, and what should our readers know? Hickman: We recently underwent a rebrand, including a name change for the association and for many of our programs; and with it we focused in on what members and the industry need from us. It is a critical time for our industry, and we want to support landscape contractors through education, advocacy and increasing the professionalism in the industry. We also feel it is our job to educate the public about the importance of managed landscapes, and we are increasing our public relations efforts to promote our industry and our members. Mecham: The Irrigation Association continues to put a strong emphasis on advocacy efforts that promote efficient irrigation, but we've increased our focus on professional development. There's a higher demand for certified professionals now that regulatory groups are including certification requirements into their standards and codes. But, of course, there's more to earning a certification than simply sitting for an exam. Preparing for an exam means taking classes, studying IA resources and applying everyday know-how used in the field. IA develops more training opportunities for irrigation professionals on the go. This means creating more online courses and launching new programs to educate trained professionals in the field. L&I: What are the biggest challenges industry professionals have faced in the past year, and how are those challenges being met? Hickman: Government overregulation makes it hard for many landscape companies to run their businesses. Our members want a level playing field, they want to pay employees fairly and run safe and profitable business, but competition from fly-by-night operators that don't operate legally makes it tough for some to compete, and the government overregulation makes it very difficult to run a business. Another thing members continue to struggle with is not being able to find enough workers. Many companies can't get enough employees to keep up with client work. In the past, H-2B has been an answer for some, but the Department of Labor is making it practically impossible to use, and government rules make the hiring process laborious. One of the pillars of our association is relentless advocacy. We are talking to members about these challenges, and working hard to affect change at the government level and in the court of public opinion. Our goal is to make it easier for landscape contractors to run their businesses. Mecham: Weather has been the biggest problem for our industry this year. Unsurprisingly, the severe drought conditions in California and other western states have affected the types of systems and projects being installed. In response to the water shortage, California has responded quickly by implementing new ordinances about water use, but it has also created permanent policy changes. Landscapes in California will be drastically different as a result. However, other regions of the country have received an above-average rainfall, which often causes substantial flood damage. When the weather is adverse, it's difficult for professionals to be out working in the field as usual, which cuts into planned revenue. L&I: What do you think will be the industry's biggest story in the coming year? Hickman: The drought and water shortages out west have been a big story in the media, and will likely continue to be a story that will impact the whole industry. Many people are taking advantage of turf removal, and there is extensive media coverage of the story. People are using the problem out west as a hook, and there are anti-lawn stories as far away as Connecticut. We need to promote the environmental benefits of lawns and landscapes, and we need to be the ones educating people about responsible water and landscape management. The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is now proposing city regulations that require the planting of trees, citing that their city has become a huge heat island because there weren't enough turf and trees in the wake of their long drought. We have to show people the negative effects that will happen when they reactively remove all turf plants and trees. Mecham: Climate change and its effect on local communities. Industry professionals have an opportunity for increased 10 October 2015 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com State of the Industry INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Sabeena Hickman Brent Mecham

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