October 2014

First impressions

There’s a reason why top companies invest in ensuring that employees reflect their brand vision.

Professional Development Seminar Guide now available for 2014-2015

Guide also contains information about online learning, apprenticeship, certification, conferences and safety groups.

Pinball Clemons headlines 50th IPM Symposium

Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons will provide the closing keynote when IPM Symposium celebrates its 50th year.

Smart Watering Month

This summer the Irrigation Sector Group ran a promotion for Smart Watering Month, encouraging irrigation professionals to submit examples of their water-saving work.

Putting Challenge a big hit for Georgian Lakelands

Georgian Lakelands Chapter created an event that resulted in fun for all members, while raising funds for community events.

Communications Committee needs new members

Landscape Ontario’s Communications Committee provides valuable guidance on the association’s print and electronic communications.

Expo ready to inspire industry

Get Inspired at the 15th anniversary edition of Canada’s biggest business to business trade show that serves the garden centre and retail floral industries.

Waterloo hosts another great baseball tourney

Waterloo Chapter members enjoyed the annual baseball tournament and picnic on Sept. 7 at Breslau Memorial Park.

Windsor Chapter continues work at Solidarity Gardens

With the help of a small crew of Windsor Chapter volunteers, the Solidarity Gardens at Hospice Windsor and Essex County got a refresh this summer.

Windsor members help beautify Safety Village

Windsor Chapter has once again been busy this summer with the completion of stage one of site development and maintenance at the Windsor Safety Village.

Create your profile on landscapeontario.com

Landscape Ontario members have a great opportunity to promote their company and services to thousands of consumers who are inspired about landscaping, horticulture and outdoor living.

Snowposium provides education and networking

The 2014 Snowposium included a great variety of seminars, demonstrations, a trade show and face-to-face encounters with others in the trade.

Lost time on the job skyrockets

The 2014 LO Safety Report Card contains some unusual data.

Jarrett Woodard brings passion to his volunteer work

Jarrett Woodard, of Grand River Brick and Stone in London, has a passion for his career and the landscaping industry.

Education minister shown great benefits of SHSM program

The Specialist High Skills Majors Program (SHSM) is described as a long-term and sustainable solution to industries’ need for a qualified and competent workforce.

Silica dust starting to draw attention

LO members installing hardscapes deal every day with stone cutting, and the accompanying dust.

Summer highlights

I know it’s a cliché, however, it is incredible how fast the time goes.

Come one, come all; It’s chapter meeting season

If you are checking your e-news each week, you have seen the invitation to participate in a Landscape Ontario survey.

New training standards coming for JHSCs

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has released two new certification training standards expected to take effect in early 2015.

Governments launch Job Grant program

Ontario is accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant.

Time to prevent rodent damage

This past winter saw unprecedented levels of rodent feeding injury on landscape plants and nursery stock.

WSIB 2015 rates stay the same

The WSIB has announced that premium rates will be maintained at current levels for all employers in 2015.

Durham College crowdfunding campaign

On Aug. 19, Durham College launched Field to Fork: Sowing the Seeds of our Community, its first-ever crowdfunding campaign.

Sports Turf announces manager of the year

Ray Stukas, Manager of Parks, Toronto and East York District, for the City of Toronto, is the 2014 Sports Turf Manager of the Year.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Manual

MTO requires all Ontario-based operators who apply for a CVOR certificate to complete a CVOR written test.

Developing a sense of pride

This is a fantastic morale-boosting idea for hard-working parks and recreation crew members so they may gain recognition among their peers.

Bake business thinking into your business

Remember last month I wrote about a young local baker who was striving to make a go of his branded product?

Reasons for utility hits remain the same

The landscape and horticultural industry in Ontario will strike underground utilities between 600 and 900 times each year.