After three years, Colorado Green felt it was time to check in with women in the industry again (see the September/October 2018 issue). For the November/December 2021 issue, Colorado Green spoke with eight women who play different roles in their respective companies. Some own their business, some are managers at their employers’ firms, some are designers but most wear multiple hats. All have worked in the green industry for several years, giving them a perspective when looking back at their experience. They also learned that it took a few years to develop confidence navigating as a woman, particularly when younger and newer to the industry. They model perseverance.

What’s it like to be a woman in the landscape industry?
All women agreed that the green industry in Colorado is generally supportive of women. They also believe women have a lot to offer the industry and there is not much that women cannot do, whether it’s hands-on planting and installation, sales, customer service or design. Their treatment by male colleagues in the industry has generally been very respectful. Some have had incidents with customers, and some admit there are still a few men in the industry who think of women’s roles as design or administration and are surprised at their presence in other roles, such as managing landscape construction.

These eight women share a passion for the industry, love working outside and are willing to literally get theirs hands dirty as needed, and all have developed a love of plants and love being part of creating beautiful spaces for their clients.

The first in a two-part series
In this issue of Colorado Green Now, you’ll learn about four of the eight women featured in the print magazine. On January 12, we’ll publish part two of the series and take a look at four more successful women in the landscape industry.

Read the full coverage of women in landscape in the November/December 2021 issue of Colorado Green magazine.