“OK, I can do this. I can do this.”  I was sitting in a hallway outside of one of the lecture halls at the [Colorado] Convention Center trying to calm myself down. Kristen Fefes (former executive director of ALCC) had asked if I would work with Martin Mosko (Marpa Design Studio) to talk about water features at ProGreen. I was to handle the technical side while Martin showed the beauty and art of water features. When I showed up at ProGreen that morning I learned Martin had woken up sick. I peeked into the lecture hall and figured about 300 people were already waiting.

Are you trying to help your team get vaccinated against COVID-19? ALCC has just learned of a new resource for finding vaccine appointments. 

There will be a drive-through and walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic (Pfizer) this Saturday, May 1, at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Sign up for an appointment: at https://www.comassvax.org/reg/5610729087. This webpage has a Spanish translation.

This information was shared by Focus Points Family Resource Center. You can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/focuspoints where they post up-to-date resources.

Once again, Colorado landscape industry professionals are invited to engage with government officials at Legislative Days on the Hill. The annual event, hosted by NALP, is an opportunity for the landscape industry to make its concerns known to lawmakers. This year the event will be held virtually due to ongoing restrictions related to coronavirus.

The COVID-19 crisis brought new challenges to ensuring workplace safety. As landscape companies begin their busiest part of the year, it’s an excellent time to re-evaluate your overall workplace safety plan—not just COVID precautions. April 28 is World Safety and Health at Work Day, as declared by ILO (International Labour Organization). Why not take the day to start your safety program review?

Landscape professionals understand that trees have tremendous value and offer many benefits: trees prevent soil erosion and water pollution, provide shade for homes and habitat for wildlife, and increase property values. But consumers need ongoing education and reminders of the role trees play in the health and beauty of communities.

The following five perennials received the 2020 “Top Performer” award at the CSU Trial Gardens. Out of the 67 taxa planted in 2018, these five plants were the superior performers during three growing seasons and two winters in the Fort Collins trials.

There are several implications for employers regarding COVID vaccines. Can you ask if an employee or job candidate is vaccinated? Can you mandate vaccines? Employers can download a free toolkit from CDC regarding vaccines and the workplace. Employers Council also tackled this topic in a helpful video. 

Good afternoon,

In partnership with the Seasonal Employment Alliance (SEA), we ask for your help in reaching out to Senator Bennet in support of H-2B reform.

DHS’s recent release of 22,000 H-2B visas underscores the need for Congress to fix this program permanently. 100% of our frustration and determination should be channeled into advocating for a permanent fix. Counting on either the Trump or Biden administration to bail us and Congress out each year has been an abject disaster.

Last week, on April 8, USCIS hosted an H-2B Nonimmigrant Worker Supplemental Visas Listening Session. There were many participants on the call representing the landscape industry, forestry, and hospitality along with other industries who benefit from the H-2B program. Due to the high volume of participants, not everyone was able to speak on the call. While the comments made on the call were overwhelmingly in support of the need for additional H-2B visas, opponents of the program continue to lobby the Administration against the release of supplemental visas. It is important that we make our collective voices heard and that we urge DHS to immediately release all additional H-2B visas that are authorized under the law.

Please take a minute to send a short email to USCIS stressing the need for the immediate release of supplemental visas. 

Earn your Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) Colorado certificate at next week's online class on Tuesday, April 13. Deadline to register for this session is Friday, April 9.