A landscaper spreads lime between the headstones at Arlington National Cemetery at last year’s Renewal and Remembrance.
File photo
Not long after celebrating Independence Day, landscapers from across the country will be flocking to Washington to participate in the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ 20th annual Renewal and Remembrance event.
On July 11, more than 400 landscapers will gather to pay their respects to America’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. The volunteers will mow, fertilize and maintain the hallowed grounds.
According to NALP, this year’s event has expanded to include phosphorous application, aeration, irrigation installation and repairs, tree cabling and lighting protection, and landscape and hardscape projects.
Also, while landscapers are in the nation’s capital, NALP will be leading its annual Legislative Day on the Hill on July 12. This event focuses on current legislative issues affecting the green industry and allows landscapers the opportunity to have their voices heard by members of Congress.
“This is a must-attend event for every landscape or lawn care company in the U.S. that cares about how the government impacts their business,” said Paul Mendelsohn, NALP vice president of government relations. “We need everyone to learn about the issues so they can talk effectively with their local, state and federal representatives to help them understand the business pressures that they are under.”
A crash course in effective lobbying will be provided for those who plan on attending Day on the Hill. Along with learning how to communicate effectively with government officials, landscapers also will have the opportunity to hear keynote speaker Alex Castellanos discuss this year’s presidential election.
Castellanos is a CNN commentator and has served as a media consultant for seven different presidential campaigns. He has two decades of experience in the political consulting field.
“If there is ever a year to have an insider’s look at Washington, this is the year,” Mendelsohn said. “The event will be fun, informative and important for people’s businesses and for the industry as a whole.”
NALP will also be educating legislators on the value of healthy lawns and landscapes with its Landscape Learning Lab. Attendees can invite their elected officials to learn about sustainable landscaping, how to care for plants and a number of other landscaping-related topics.
To register for either or both of these events, click here.
Below is a video of the 2013 Renewal and Remembrance event.
