CHT Excellence Continues
The CHT Eastern Ontario committee is proud to once again have hosted a first-class Certified Horticultural Technician (CHT) Evaluation session at Kemptville College – the best yet in Eastern Ontario.
Twenty-six candidates and over 50 volunteers participated in the 2-day evaluations on August 13th and 14th. The site, which received highest commendation from the international observer, was in beautiful condition thanks to the committed industry volunteers who worked so hard in the weeks prior to the evaluations.
This event yielded many benefits. Participants and volunteers forged some wonderful connections, and industry professionalism – which benefits us all – was ramped-up several notches as the desire for industry excellence and cooperation came together.
CHT is moving forward steadily and surely. It benefits individuals, companies, homeowners and the industry in general. If your company has not yet participated in CHT, we invite you to look into the many benefits. Any of the 50 volunteers and sponsors listed below can tell you how it benefits them!
CHT is run by industry people for the benefit of the industry. It would not be possible without the help from many volunteers, and the Eastern Ontario committee would like to warmly thank all of the following individuals and companies who made it happen:
Stephen Anderson (Stihl Limited), Steve Barker CHT (Ganden Landscapes Ltd), Bill Bitz (Bytown Lawn Experts), John Bloskie (Nutri-Lawn – Ottawa), Eric Brooks (Eco Landscaping Ltd), Chris Burns CHT (Clintar Groundskeeping Services – Ottawa), Dan Clost CHT (Connon Nurseries CBV Holdings), Richard Coleman CHT (Coleman Landscaping), Trevor Cullen CHT (Cullen Landscaping Ltd.), Paul Doornbos CLP CHT (Thornbusch Landscaping Company), Tim Dyer (Kings Creek Trees and Ornamentals), Mike Fulcher (Permacon), Jean-Paul Gervais (Paysagement Trillium Landscaping), Sonja Hirsig CHT (Hirsig Landscapes), Kennedy Johnston (Peter Knippel Nursery), Sarah Johnston (Greenlife), Shane Jordan CHT (Ganden Landscapes Ltd.), Tim Kearney CLP (Garden Creations of Ottawa Ltd.), Ryan Kearney CHT (Garden Creations of Ottawa Ltd.), Darrell Kekanovich CHT (Ritchie Feed & Seed), Chris Klingbeil CHT (Klingbeil Landscaping), Brad Koski CHT (Rockcliffe Landscaping Inc.), Phil Lindsay CHT (Lindsay Landscape Enterprises Inc.), Jeff Lowartz CHT (Heritage Green Landscape Contractors), Rick Mowry CIT (Greenscape Watering Systems), Hugh Pearson (University of Guelph Kemptville College), Richard Rogers CHT (RJ Rogers Landscaping Ltd.), Clifford Ruth CLT CLP, Jeff Scott CHT (Garden Creations of Ottawa Ltd.), Chad Smail CHT (Ganden Landscapes Ltd.), Bill Steen (Green Things Garden & Landscaping Centre), David Stewart CHT (Custom Lawn Care), John Taylor BA CHT PMC (JW Taylor Consulting), Nina Vanderlinden (Green Things G.C. & Landscaping Centre), Ben Winsar CIT (Yates Custom Lawn Sprinklers), Will Winsar CIT (Yates Custom Lawn Sprinklers), and Welwyn Wong (Welwyn Wong Landscape Design).
Sponsors are invaluable and contribute products, funds and volunteers (or all three!). The day would not have been possible without the following sponsors: Allan Johnson’s Equipment – Metcalfe, B&T McFarlane – Ottawa, Battlefield, Distribution Viking, Echo, Ganden Landscapes, Garden Creations of Ottawa Ltd, Geosynthetic Systems, Greely Sand and Gravel, Gro Bark, Manderley Turf Products Inc, Mathews Equipment Ltd. Ottawa, Permacon Group, RJ Rogers Landscaping, Stihl, and the Upper Canada Chapter of Landscape Ontario. We thank you for your commitment to the industry!
CHT is building momentum…we invite you to contact home office, or anyone on your chapter board to learn more about it.
NEW! CHT/Apprenticeship Field Test Practice Workshop
Calling all landscape technicians, aspiring CHT’s and apprentices – Pre-register for this new workshop geared to help you get hands-on experience on the five most challenging CHT stations. This day will help you be successful at both certification and apprenticeship.
What: A day to get hands-on experience in five challenging areas: Grading and Drainage, Chainsaw, Instrument, Irrigation Controller and Skid Steer
When: Saturday Oct 3rd 2009, 9am-3pm
Where: Kemptville College – AJ Logsdale building
Why: Extra Training and Coaching will help YOU and/or your staff prepare for the certification test and apprenticeship training
Price: $30 per person (GST Included)
Register online at: https://secure.landscapeontario.com/locc/showreg2.php?s=23,
Deadline to register: September 18, 2009
Brought to you by: Garden Creations of Ottawa Limited, Thornbusch Landscaping Company, Stihl, Greenscape.ca, Kemptville College and Landscape Ontario
For more information contact: Rachel Burt, Landscape Ontario: 1-800-265-5656 Ext 326 or email rachelb@landscapeontario.com
Chapter meeting sponsorship: Great Exposure!
Sponsoring a chapter meeting is a great way to make your company and products known to Ottawa’s landscape business leaders. Sponsorship is $250 and allows you to introduce yourself to chapter members during the meeting, to set up a table with your company and product brochures, and to meet meeting attendees before, during and after the meeting. Consider sponsoring a chapter meeting today – contact the Ottawa office at 613-796-5156.
LO Creates Online Job Board
Employers and employees are invited to post job opportunities and resumes online to help connect job seekers with companies looking to hire. To post an opportunity or candidate profile, go to www.locc.ca and click on the Online Job Board link. Questions? Contact Rachel Burt at rachelb@landscapeontario.com. All Internet postings expire after one month.
Membership renewal Time
You’ve already seen it in the mail…your LO membership renewal form. Renew now so your great LO membership benefits will continue. If we can answer any questions about your membership, please contact the Ottawa office.
October Ottawa Chapter Meeting
Mark your calendars for Tuesday October 20th at the RA Centre in Ottawa. Networking begins over coffee at 9:30 am and the meeting begins promptly at 10 am. Feel free to bring along an industry colleague.
Golf review
There could not have been a more perfect day for golf than the Ottawa Chapter’s tournament on August 27th. Sun, a cool breeze, and high spirits were just some of the highlights of the day.
Money-Saving Tips from Your Board
1. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)-requires you to have a permit to dig for any reason. Contact them at 877-682-8772.
2. Phone/driving ban came into effect September 1st. Here’s what is banned: cellphones (even at a stop light), dialing, BlackBerrys, texting, hand-held GPS. Handsfree units are still allowed. Offenders will receive a fine and 6 demerit points.
3. The ‘Urban Tree Conservation By-law’ came into effect in Ottawa on September 1st. It affects the cutting of trees over 50cm in diameter. Visit www.ottawa.ca for details.
4. Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) now has a yearly ‘user fee’ – $100 for the first year, $50 yearly after that to renew.
Kudos-Ottawa Cancer Survivors Park
The Cancer Survivors Park in Ottawa is a public park offering green space for reflection, motivation, serenity and inspiration to cancer patients and survivors, their friends and families.
Members of Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa chapter helped to build the site (located on 4.5 acres at the busy intersections of Alta Vista Dr., Industrial Ave., and Riverside Dr.) last spring. The giving has continued all this season, as some members have continued to donate their time in order to upkeep the site. Each and every Wednesday morning you will see crews keeping the site beautiful. Our thanks go to the following companies for their continued dedication to this worthy cause: Ryan Kearney (Garden Creations of Ottawa Limited), Chris Burns (Clintar Landscape Management – Ottawa), Bill Bitz, (Bytowne Lawn Experts), Sarah Johnston (Green life Landscaping), Ed Hansen (Hansen Lawn & Gardens Ltd), Susan Bedhun (Horticare Landscaping) and Richard Rogers (RJ Rogers Landscaping Ltd.).
Profit Builders Event at GreenTrade Expo, February 17, 2010
Just Announced! Jim Paluch of JP Horizons brings a ‘cutting-edge, never-before seen in North America’ afternoon to GreenTrade Expo. This explosive afternoon is about green sustainability – how can we all capitalize on ‘green’ – in our business, in our profitability and in the environment. During this powerhouse presentation and optional expanded workshop, Jim Paluch will help you establish a path to accomplish goals in three essential focus areas – The People, The Profits and The Planet – that will lead to the success and sustainability of YOUR company and YOUR industry. Together we will all be inspired to take action and drive the movement that provides entrepreneurial rewards along with an active commitment to a sustainable and better future. Why? Because we are the green industry. This ‘must-participate’ event is called “A Better Wayâ€, and it’s about sustainability. For all of us.
To register and for more details, visit www.greentrade.ca.
Eastern Ontario Education booklet out soon
Keep watch for your Eastern Ontario Education Booklet, polybagged in the November issue or Horticulture Review. It lists dozens of educational, social and chapter meeting opportunities. On-line registration will be open when you receive your book. Don’t delay, many courses sold out last year.
Awards of Excellence Deadline
The online submission deadline is October 5th . Award winners for the ‘Construction, Maintenance and Design’ categories will be announced at Congress (January 12 – 14, 2010). For more details contact Kristen McIntyre at LO Home office: 800-265-5656 Ext 321, or visit visit www.loawards.com.
Apprenticeship Starts Mid-November
For more information on Apprenticeship, Red Seal Program and its benefits for employers and employees go to: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/training/
Attached to this newsletter is a form that you can use to start the Apprenticeship process.
Stephen Anderson, Steve Barker, Bill Bitz, John Bloskie, Eric Brooks, Chris Burns CHT, Dan Clost CHT, Richard Coleman CHT, Trevor Cullen CHT, Paul Doornbos CLP CHT, Tim Dyer, Mike Fulcher, Jean-Paul Gervais, Cassie Harvey, Sonja Hirsig CHT, Kennedy Johnston, Sarah Johnston, Shane Jordan CHT, Ryan Kearney CHT, Tim Kearney CLP, Darrell Kekanovich, CHT, Chris Klingbeil CHT, Brad Koski CHT, Phil Lindsay CHT, Jeff Lowartz CHT, Rick Mowry CIT, Hugh Pearson, Richard Rogers CHT, Clifford Ruth CLT CLP, Jeff Scott CHT, Chad Smail CHT, Bill Steen, David Stewart CHT, John Taylor CHT, Nina Vanderlinden, Ben Winsar CIT,
