LO enews August 12, 2020

Handy guide to 2021 LO member benefits This annual guide from Landscape Ontario reminds members of the many benefits available exclusively through membership in LO. Are there cost savings programs or networking opportunities you are not taking advantage of to grow your business? Learn about the many benefits of membership.

LO seeks employers for new GROW Program
Landscape Ontario, in partnership with SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO), funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, are developing and delivering an innovative training program based on industry member feedback that will develop in-demand new entrant workers. Participants will receive four weeks of basic technical and soft skills training and additional resources, to enter into promising careers in the landscape and horticultural industry in the Toronto, Hamilton and Muskoka/Kawartha regions. Interested in hiring an entry-level GROW Program graduates this fall? Apply to be an employer partner online.

Enter projects in LO’s Construction, Maintenance and Design Awards
Entries for Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Excellence program are open to retail members July 1 to Sept. 1. Full details and entry at LOawards.com

Enter LO Garden Centre awards until Sept. 1
Entries for Landscape Ontario’s Garden Centre Awards of Excellence program are open to retail members until Sept. 1. Full details and entry at LOawards.com

Order safety materials for your trucks and equipment
Order up to 10 "Don’t let your guard down" decals at no cost. Simply email Meghan Greaves or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2301. Bundles of 100 decals can be ordered at cost for $32.25 per 100. The decals measure eight by 2-1/2 inches. The LO Covid-19 Task Force encourages members to place as many as possible on equipment and trucks. Posters promoting safety and featuring basic action points have also been developed, and are posted for free download. Versions in English, Spanish and French are available, as well as artwork to paste into email signatures.

Declared Emergency Leave no longer available
The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development recently announced that Declared Emergency Leave (DEL) established under the Employment Standards Act is no longer available, and that the COVID-19 period for Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDML) will end Sept. 4. Read the full details at HortTrades.com.

Green Infrastructure Ontario Webinar Series
Green Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), is offering a webinar series focused on green infrastructure (GI) asset management planning.The three-part series introduces green infrastructure and asset management planning, and then delves into inventorying and valuing green infrastructure, including developing an asset register and valuing assets to understand the state of municipal infrastructure.The webinars are scheduled for August 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15, all from 2-3 p.m. Register now.

Green Cities Foundation announces first project
The Green Cities Foundation announced St. Matthews House in Hamilton will the first #GreenMyCity project. Working together with sponsor RBC Insurance, as well as the Barton Village BIA, Beautiful Alleys, The City of Hamilton, The Golden Horseshoe Chapter of Landscape Ontario and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association membership, #GreenMyCity2020 will create a natural landscape that will improve community health and well-being in the Barton Village Community beginning this fall. Learn more at HortTrades.com.

Vineland seeking individuals to join Board of Directors
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is looking for nominations of skilled individuals to join its Board of Directors. For details on the skills required, Vineland’s mission, and a nomination form, visit HortTrades.com.

Summer Growth Summit, August 22-24
The Summer Growth Summit is an interactive conference and landscape facility tour for owners and their teams. This year’s theme: Optimizing your service mix for increased market share and profitability. Register online.

Watch LO’s Covid-19 Task Force Town Hall Webinars
Landscape Ontario’s Covid-19 Task Force Town Halls are online, and can be viewed for free anytime. Watch previous Town Halls.

Water advisory for Mississauga and Brampton
The Region of Peel has issued an outdoor water use advisory for residents and businesses in Mississauga and Brampton. The advisory is due to unexpected repairs at one of the Region’s treatment facilities and is necessary to ensure our water supply levels are maintained throughout the system. For more information, visit the Peel Region Website.

LO’s COVID-19 Resource Hub includes guidance for working safely
LO’s resource centre now includes key health and safety protocols, supplementary resources, and a list of PPE suppliers as guidance to update your health and safety policies and procedures. Be sure to check out the Safe Work Protocols page, the Posters and Signage page and the Business Continuity page for the latest updates.

Pre-apprenticeship program seeks applicants
The Pre-apprenticeship Horticulture Technician program for Women is a Free-tuition training program funded by the provincial government in partnership with Humber College and Landscape Ontario. To learn more about this training opportunity interested candidates are required to register and attend a virtual information session.

Mastering fear workshop, August 18
Jim Paluch will talk with author Bob Maurer about his book Mastering Fear and strategies we can use to master our fears and find success in our health, relationships and work lives on August 18 at 3 pm. Register online. 

Stouffville not-for-profit RFP
Willowgrove, a not for profit organization located on a 100-acre working farm in Stouffville, Ont., is seeking a Request for Proposals for a landscaping project. Interest must be expressed by 5 p.m. on August 14, 2020. Details here.

Connect with members of your sector online
A number of Landscape Ontario sector groups have set up private, online Facebook discussion boards that allow members to connect in order to ask questions, share ideas and be social online. Join the discussions online being held by Landscape Contractors, Growers, and Garden Centres.
 

Watch for full seminar listings early this fall.

Visit the Events page at HortTrades.com

Details on advertising in LO enews

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association
7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Canada
1-800-265-5656
rob@landscapeontario.com
HortTrades.com

With more than 2,500 professional members, Landscape Ontario is the province’s premier horticultural trades association. Our mission is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario.

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