The Colorado Emerald Ash Borer Response Team has announced dates for training in emerald ash borer (EAB) detection and assessment of ash trees.

A 50-acre property, currently home to an increasingly vacant shopping mall, is poised to host the world’s largest green roof in a massive renovation that could become a model of sustainability. The Hills at Vallco will be built at Cupertino, California’s Vallco Shopping mall site. This mixed-use community will ultimately feature a 30-acre green roof with a community park and nature preserve.

Research shows that customers are eager to communicate with small, local businesses online. Some small businesses may be missing a big opportunity to reach new clients and bring back past clients if they aren’t using the digital arena.

Considering an internship program at your landscape company? Internships can be a great way for students to get practical, hands-on experience in their chosen field of study while also earning college credit. It is also a great way for business owners to cultivate the next generation of their industry.

The LAB presents big events and important happenings in legislative and regulatory affairs. But even when there are no major announcements, ALCC is working behind-the-scenes to keep the landscape industry part of the conversation when it comes to laws and regulations that affect it.
In the last week, ALCC has:

• Met with the Colorado Department of Revenue regarding a proposed change to contractor sales tax.
• Presented a report which quantifies the GreenCo BMPs to the Colorado legislature’s Water Resources Review Committee.
• Submitted comprehensive comments on the Colorado Water Plan.
• Commented on rulemaking for Colorado Senate Bill 15-119 (Sunset Pesticide Applicators).

Details on the reports and comments will be made available here on the LAB in the coming weeks. ALCC members interested in participating in legislative and regulatory advocacy can contact [email protected] or call 303 757-5611 for more information.

ALCC is now accepting submissions for this year’s ELITE Awards, which recognize professionalism, innovation, business practices and sustainability. The ELITES are open to members only.

There are nine categories:

News surfaced about a patent approved in August that could help lenders determine a person’s creditworthiness based on who their Facebook friends are. It led to many people looking at their friend list in a new light.

As the busy landscape season winds down, it’s important to keep your business in the minds of clients and potential customers. Winter weather may not make consumers think about landscape services, but that doesn’t mean your marketing efforts should end with the first cold snap. In fact, it’s a great time to refresh your marketing strategy.

This summer Houzz, an online platform for home remodeling and design, published a study of landscaping and garden trends among homeowners who use the site. Three in five homeowners surveyed said that they had hired or planned to hire a professional to help with their large landscape projects. 56% of those hiring a professional budgeted $10,000 or more for the project.

The search for your next great employee often begins with an advertisement for the open position. Taking the time to write a compelling, informative, and truthful job ad can have a big affect on whether the best candidates notice—and apply for—the job.

The video below presents some advice from the experts at Monster about the elements of an effective job ad.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Could your Facebook friends affect your credit score?
3 ways to refresh your marketing strategy
Study reveals landscaping & garden trends
ELITE Awards now accepting entries