British Columbia Landscape & Nursery Association

About the BCLNA

The [http://www.bclna.com British Columbia Landscape & Nursery Association] [ [http://www.bclna.com British Columbia Landscape & Nursery Association] ] is a non-profit organization of British Columbia's nursery growers, landscape professionals, retail garden centres and the associated landscape Horticulture. It has over 700 member companies, representing nursery, landscape, retail, education, supply, service, and government organizations working in the landscape horticultural industry. The original organization was formed in 1953 and today has chapters in the Lower Mainland, the British Columbia Interior, and on Vancouver Island. The BCLNA offers member companies leadership, information, and services, in the development of more knowledgeable and responsible landscape practices.
BCLNA is one of several provincial associations working under the [http://www.canadanursery.com Canadian Nursery Landscape Association] [ [http://www.canadanursery.com Canadian Nursery Landscape Association] ] umbrella.

History of the BCLNA

The 50's
In 1953, nurseryman Lloyd Smith met with others in his field to discuss the formation of a BC nursery association. A few were already members of the Canadian Association of Nurserymen (CAN), but the national office in Ottawa seemed too remote. Henry Eddie became the president and Smith the secretary of the first BC group, known as the Lower Mainland Division of CAN. By December 1954, it had 34 members. The first convention was held in 1955, resulting in a new name, the BC Division of CAN. At that time, members enrolled with CAN, which gave automatic membership in the BC Division (today, the reverse is true).

The 60's
The next decade brought amalgamation with the Professional Landscapers Association of BC and another name change toThe Horticultural Trades Association of BC (HTA of BC). The HTA of BC now had 60 members representing nursery, landscape, retail, and greenhouse industries. In 1962, the feasibility of integrating all regional groups across Canada into CAN was explored under the leadership of David Hunter. Two years later, the Canadian Nursery Trades Association was formed, and in 1967, the HTA of BC became the BC Nursery Trades Association (BCNTA). As environmental concerns gathered steam, the BCNTA promoted "Green Survival" to members and the public. Although the program originated in the USA, the BCNTA was the first association in Canada to promote our industry as one of environmental thoughtfulness. Industry sectors were better recognized through formation of commodity groups, landscape standards were being discussed, and BCNTA continued to gain support and make improvements in legislation, research, technology and industry-wide promotion.

The 70's
By the early 70s, the association had its first office on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver; at the close of the decade, a permanent office was located in Surrey, BC. New promotion and communication vehicles were created. Dig This was launched - a six- to eight-page newspaper edited by John Mathies of Cannor Nurseries. It has now grown to become the members' 16-page, full-colour, monthly [http://www.bclna.com/bclna_publications.htm#hortwest HortWest Magazine] with a circulation of nearly 1500. By the end of the 70s, membership had grown to just over 100.

The 80's
The 80s ushered in the Western Canada Horticultural Trade Show, the forerunner of today's [http://www.canwesthortshow.com CanWest Hort Show] . Held at the Pacific National Exhibition in 1981, the show was a tremendous success, drawing exhibitors from across Canada and the U.S. In 1987, the show moved to the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. CanWest now has 275 exhibitors in more than 430 booths. In the 1980s, the [http://www.canadanursery.com/Page.asp?PageID=749&SiteNodeID=97 Landscaper and Nursery Certification] programs were introduced to increase industry standards and provide educational programs for members' employees. The first BC Landscape Standard, now in its seventh edition, was produced cooperatively with the [http://www.bcsla.org/ BC Society of Landscape Architects] . The Plant Introduction Scheme Botanical Gardens (PISBG) was developed by the [http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/ University of BC Botanical Gardens] . With the cooperation of the BCNTA, many new plant varieties were introduced around the world. The recession of the 80s caught many nurserymen overstocked with nursery plants, but with sound business practices and a reserve from the 70s good times, the industry weathered the storm. An all-out marketing program helped keep the industry's good name and resulted in rising export sales, especially to eastern Canada.In 1987, BCNTA purchased a new office in Surrey - Cloverdale, from which the association could serve its members, now grown to more than 275.

The 90's
In the 90s, BCNTA activities mirrored the rapidly changing world: globalization, government downsizing, environmental stewardship, leadership and partnership became important issues. Government budget deficits called for new ways of doing things. Partnering became a requirement: industry would provide more definitive leadership on industry-important issues, and government would consult at an earlier stage in the legislative and program development process. Global travel increased the frequency of "exotic" pest introductions. Public concern over the environment brought issues such as pesticide use and urban noise and emissions from landscape equipment to the forefront. Members pushed for a higher public profile for the BCNTA, resulting in development of the GardenWise Directory. New landscape and retail certification programs were introduced to meet consumer demands for higher standards and accountability. By the end of the 90s, membership had reached 550, and with a strategic plan in place and another new name, the BC Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) was geared to tackle the new millennium.

The 2000s
The first half of the new millennium has already brought about new issues and challenges. In 2001, the BCLNA managed a ground spray operation of gypsy moth on behalf of the provincial government, with the majority of environmental lobby groups supporting the initiative. Located in North Delta, BC, the introduction was small and contained; an ideal location to test the effectiveness of a ground operation. Initial results appeared to be good but in 2003, large numbers of moths were trapped, bringing into question the effectiveness of both ground spray and voluntary homeowner participation. Since 2002, BCLNA has partnered with the city of Vancouver, manufacturers, dealers and others to develop a joint strategic action plan for managing the noise from leaf blowers. The solutions are complex as banning the equipment would significantly increase costs for agencies with large public property such as school and health boards and parks. Progress is being made as manufacturers report a high percentage of industry is switching to quieter, cleaner blowers. In March 2004, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of "Phytophtera ramorum" (a fungus like pathogen) in Camellias imported from California. BCLNA, together with CFIA, organized the first ever public plant recall, successfully retrieving most of the 1,100 Camellias. Since the recall, BCLNA and key stakeholders have developed a certification program so that nurseries can demonstrate on an ongoing basis that they are free of the disease. The program is now delivered by the [http://www.cleanplants.ca/ Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI)] [ [http://www.cleanplants.ca/ Canadian Nursery Certification Institute (CNCI)] ] .

Publications

The BCLNA publishes [http://www.bclna.com/bclna_publications.htm HortWest Magazine] , the [http://www.bclna.com/bclna_publications.htm BCLNA Buyers Guide] , and works with Canada Wide Media Limited to support publication of the GardenWise Healthy Garden Guide.

Events

The BCLNA produces numerous events for its members, and in participation and / or support of British Columbia's ornamental horticulture industry. These include:
Annual Fundraising Auction with partial proceeds to Kwantlen University College
Annual Golf Tournament
[http://www.canwesthortshow.com CanWest Horticulture Show]
[http://www.igcacongress.com International Garden Centre Association Congress 2008]

Honorary Members

Jean Anderson
Bill Duivenvoorde, Valley Garden Centre Ltd.
Henry Eddie
Don Fraser, [http://www.landscapesupply.com Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd.]
David Hunter, David Hunter Garden Center*
Margaret Hunter, David Hunter Garden Center*
Gerry Hutchinson, Hutchinson Nursery Sales Ltd.
George Kato, Kato's Nursery Ltd.
Ed Les, [http://www.eddiswholesale.com/ Eddi's Wholesale Garden Supplies Ltd.]
Bruce Macdonald, [http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org UBC Botanical Garden] *
John Massot, Massot Nursery*
John Mathies, Cannor Nurseries Ltd.
Brian Minter, [http://www.mintergardens.com Minter Country Garden Ltd.]
Dave Mitchell, [http://www.dmglandscape.com/ DMG Landscape Architects]
John Murray, Murray Nurseries Ltd.*
Dave Ormrod, Arborvitae Nursery
Barry Peters, Freelance Garden Writer/Landscaper, seasonal [http://www.cedarrim.com/ Cedar Rim Nursery] employee
John Philippo Dave Redekop, Aldergrove Nursery Ltd.
Walter Pinder, [http://www.specimentrees.com/ Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd.]
Dave Redekop, Aldergrove Nursery Ltd.
Bert Vielvoye, Gibbs Nurseryland & Florist*

"*Note: These BCLNA honorary members are no longer involved in the businesses noted."

Notes and References