BC Landscape & Nursery Association Celebrates 50 Years

The British Columbia Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) will celebrate its 50th anniversary in style at the Fairmount Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver on Nov. 21. A lively program filled with historical highlights has been planned for the day:

Noon – Pioneer’s Lunch
Past presidents and pioneers will share their stories of “how it was back then.” Speakers include Dave Hunter, Barry Peters, John Massot, Gerry Hutchinson, John Folkerts and Bob and Marianna Metke.

7 p.m. – Gala Banquet
Eighteen past presidents will march in together, followed by the Honorable John Van Dongen, minister of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries, who will present the welcome address. Charter members will be honored and industry and association awards will be presented.

BCLNA History
Formed in 1953 by existing members of the Canadian Association of Nurserymen (CAN), the group grew from 34 members in its first year to more than 600 members to date. Originally known as the BC Division of CAN, the group changed its name to the BC Nursery Trades Association in 1967 and promoted “Green Survival” to members and the public.

By the early 1970s, the group established its first home office, which moved from downtown Vancouver to Surrey by the end of the decade. Don Smith, hired as the first executive director in 1978, was responsible for ensuring an industry voice with government, along with organizing seminars and events. Also in the 1970s, the association’s newspaper Dig This was launched and has grown from six to eight pages to the monthly, 16-page HortWest magazine, with a circulation of nearly 1,500.

The 1980s saw the introduction of the Western Canada Horticultural Trade Show (forerunner to the CanWest Hort Show), as well as the first landscaper and nurseryman certification programs. BCNTA produced the first BC Landscape Standard, now in its sixth edition, cooperatively with the BC Society of Landscape Architects. Additionally, BCNTA worked with the University of BC Botanical Gardens to introduces many new plant varieties worldwide – a program that continues today.

In 1987, BCNTA purchased a new office in Cloverdale, from which the association could better serve its 275-plus members.

In the 1990s, government downsizing created a new need for partnership among Canadian organizations, in order to provide more definitive leadership on industry-important issues. Public environmental concerns raised issues regarding pesticide use and equipment emissions, and BCNTA members pushed for more representation in the legislature. By the end of the decade, membership had topped 550 and with a strategic plan in place and another new name, the BC Landscape & Nursery Association was ready to tackle the new millennium.

THE FUTURE OF BCLNA
BCLNA is currently strategizing to ensure continued movement toward its vision of being “an organization whose actions result in global recognition of British Columbia as a leader in landscape horticulture.” The dedicated staff and membership strive to reach shared industry goals, while adapting to an ever-changing world. More than 600 members strong, the group expects nothing less than success.

The author is Assistant Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com.