Pollinator Week 2016 is June 20-26, and it is a great time to talk with clients about planting for the benefit of wildlife. You may have already had customers ask you about how to protect pollinators or attract them to their landscapes. Media reports about the role of bees and butterflies have shed a light on how important they are to our ecosystem and to our health.

Is your business prepared for the upcoming proposed rule regarding overtime? Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division plans to update the regulation defining and delimiting the exemptions of “white collar” employees. This could have an impact on managers, foremen, sales teams, and other landscape company employees’ exempt status. 

The national H-2B coalition is hosting an ‘emergency’ H2B fly in on May 18.  Two ALCC leaders will be attending, and we invite fellow members and H-2B users to join them for this one-day effort. The purpose of the fly-in is dual:

1. We need appropriations provisions (returning worker exemption & other items) to be extended

2. Importance of the H2B program to seasonal businesses

Yesterday, ALCC joined Irrigation Association representatives and irrigation supply companies at the Colorado State Capital to demonstrate how smart irrigation can conserve water in our landscapes.

Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent a bulletin inviting users of the E-Verify program to help test a new mobile app. Find information about the testing program below. 

ALCC members who participate are invited to share their experience with us at [email protected]. Your feedback helps us better communicate with government and legislators about the impact of laws and regulations on landscape companies.

The recession of 2009 helped one ALCC member go from seasonal to year-round work, thanks to owner John Reffel’s ability to be flexible and open to change. JLS Landscape & Sprinkler, Inc. has built its success by expanding and contracting its services to reflect the economic climate and to meet consumer demand.

LandCare Management believes that certification is a critical step to achieve the company’s vision. It is not only an essential part of marketing, but a building block for overall employee development. LandCare’s mission includes using “professionalism and experience to provide quality services.” However, this is only achieved when employees are experienced and are empowered to utilize their knowledge in decision making. LandCare promotes certification because of its effect on the employee’s confidence, the company culture, and competitive advantage.

This year, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule regarding exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The aim of the rule is to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers. There are two standards: one for Construction and one for General Industry and Maritime.
Landscape company employees can be exposed to respirable crystalline silica on the job. Silica-containing materials include sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar—all materials found in many hardscapes.

Hiner Landscapes Inc. may not have invented 3D design, but they have pioneered a design process that takes full advantage of its capabilities to give the customer a positive and informative experience. Their ground-breaking efforts earned them The ELITE Award for Innovation from Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado this year.

On March 23, Houzz released its 2016 U.S. Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey. The study reveals what homeowners who use Houzz are planning for their landscapes this year. Read about the results in the article below.