Volunteers on various Landscape Ontario sector groups continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss issues and brainstorm and implement initiatives to promote and educate those within their own sector as well as potential clients. Below are updates of group activities from January to March 2021.

Contractors Group

The group’s chair, Peter Guinane, is coordinating the Provincial Garden Makeover winner to be done in Pefferlaw in May or June. The group is also promoting the Canada Blooms brand through a series of 10 videos to highlight the 25 year history of the festival, and also continues to support the Covid-19 Task Force’s “Don’t Let Your Guard Down” messaging.

Next meetings:
• Jul. 16, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Aug. 13, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Sep. 10, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Oct. 15, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Nov. 12, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Dec. 10, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Designers Group

A survey of 124 attendees of the 2021 Landscape Designers Conference gave the group great feedback on this year’s virtual event in which 83-90 per cent of attendees were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with the sessions. The group continues to work on exploring the idea of an internationally recognized designation and work with the OALA, APLD and CNLA on various initiatives.

Next meetings:
• Jun. 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Jul. 13, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Aug. 10, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Sep. 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 9, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Garden Centre Group

The group is working with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre on how consumers purchase plants online, and continues to work closely with the Box Tree Moth Industry Working Group. Demand for plants was up 50 per cent in the U.S. last year, and the group expects a strong demand again this year.

Next meetings:
• Apr. 20, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Jun. 29, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Jul. 13, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Aug. 24, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Sep. 14, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Oct. 26, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Dec. 14, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Growers Group

The group’s annual educational and networking event, the Growers Short Course, had 200 attendees hear the latest in production techniques and research. A survey of 40 attendees rated the quality of the presentations at just over 95 per cent as either satisfied or very satisfied. The group continues to work closely with the box tree moth group and has set Nov. 30 as the date for the annual Fall Dinner Meeting.

Next meetings:
• Jun. 15, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (tentative)
• Jul. 20, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Aug. 17, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Sep. 28, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Oct. 19, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Nov. 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Dec. 7, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Irrigation Group

The group has been working on identifying priorities in order to set goals and keep everyone on track. Some include: making Certified Irrigation Technician a Red Seal Trade, attracting new labour and retaining existing employees, and promoting the WSIP program. and best management practices to both contractors and the public.

Next meetings:
• Sep. 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 5, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 2, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Turf Management Group

The group’s virtual IPM Symposium in January attracted over 350 professionals to hear the latest information from a number of expert speakers. Over 200 attendees completed the mandatory exam in order to receive CECs from the IPM Council of Canada. The group is looking at speakers for 2022. The group continues its relationship with GTI and OMAFRA and is planning the annual spring maintenance of St. James Park in Toronto around April 22 to coincide with Earth Day.

Next meetings:
• Apr. 15, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (tentative)
• May. 13, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (tentative)
• Jun. 10, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (tentative)
• Jul. 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Aug. 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Sep. 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Oct. 14, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Nov. 11, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Dec. 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Lighting Group

The group is looking at ways to increase sector representation within the LO Awards of Excellence program and possibly educating contractors on how to best prepare submissions via a speaker at the All-Chapter meeting in September. The group is also looking to educate those new to the sector on the most common mistakes made by contractors, as well as the need to collaborate with a professional.

Next meetings:
• Apr. 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• May 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Jun. 9, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Jul. 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Aug. 11, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Sep. 15, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 13, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 10, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 15, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Snow and Ice Management Group

The group has put out a survey until April 15 to get ideas and discussions for Snowposium 2021, scheduled for Sept. 16. The results of a study on the captive insurance model showed it is more economical to stay with the normal insurance market, however, a captive might make sense for companies who cannot obtain insurance. Bill 118 was recently passed and will have a positive impact on insurance rates in the future.

Next meetings:
• Apr. 15, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• May 27, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Jun. 17, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Jul. 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Aug. 26, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Sep. 9, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 18, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Dec. 30, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

To learn more about sector group initiatives, visit HortTrades.com/sector. Any members who would like to participate can contact Kaneisha De Leon at kdeleon@landscapeontario.com.