The Seascape
Newsletter of the CLCA
Central Coast Chapter
March 2023
Events Calendar
March 23, Thursday
“Thirsty Thursday” Golf Tournament
Seascape Golf Club
Come join the fun March 23 at Seascape Golf Club to play some golf before our Supplier’s/New Member’s Night later that p.m. Consecutive tee times starting at 10:30 am. Format will be 4-person team scramble. Price per player: $100.00 includes golf, cart and prizes. This should be a great time! So round up your foursome and sign up for fun and golf shenanigans! Contact Scott Long of Central Coast Landscape at 831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com
March 23, Thursday
Supplier’s & New Member’s Night
Seascape Golf Club—Before Supplier’s & New Member’s Night
Central Coast Chapter’s mini trade show. Come meet your local vendor reps and check out what the CLCA is all about. Dinner is free for all C-27s. Members, bring a friend. It’s a great night, full of valuable connections and new products. 4-6pm no host bar, 6pm dinner. We’re holding a golf tournament earlier that same day. Join us for some fun on the green (separate registration). More information & to register for the Supplier’s/New Member’s Night. Contact Scott Long of Central Coast Landscape at 831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com
April 1, Save the Date
Beautification Awards
MORE DETails coming soon!
We will be going back to “in person” judging this year! After 2022’s trial of digital presentation and judging we decided it’s more fun to judge onsite. Mark your calendars! Save the date of April 1, we will be sending out a notice out for submissions to enter the 2023 Beautification Awards. May 12th will be the submissions cutoff. Judging May 24-26. Drop offs will be at Graniterock locations (Seaside, Salinas and Santa Cruz) and B&B Small Engine (Santa Cruz). Saturday, June 24th, will be our gala event at Back Nine Bar & Grill. We will be sending info as it becomes available. Your contact this year is our new Director of Events, Scott Long of Central Coast Landscape at 831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com.
April 5, Wednesday
Central Coast Chapter Board Meeting
12-1:30 p.m. at Seascape Golf Resort in Aptos
Contact Phil Dundas (831) 750-0447 or phil@thelandscapecompany.com
June 24, Saturday
Beautification Awards Banquet
Pasatiempo—Back Nine Bar and Grill, times TBA
We plan to hold our Beautification Awards gala event at Back Nine Bar & Grill again this year. We’ll be sending info to you as it becomes available. Your contact this year is our new director of events, Scott Long of Central Coast Landscape at 831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com.
March 2023 Central Coast President’s Message
by Phil Dundas, Chapter President, The Landscape Company
Hello Landscape Community,
Spring’s flight has been delayed like a Southwest connection in Phoenix. On the positive side daylight savings ends March 12 for the last time! No falling back in November. The 2023 Supplier and New Member Night is now open for registration. It will be held Thursday, March 23rd, 4pm-7pm at Seascape Golf Club. In addition we will be having a golf tournament the same day before the evening’s events. So get your foursome together and sign up for that as well.
Mark your calendars, be advised that the 2023 Beautification Awards are in the works and that event will be coming up soon. The submission deadline will be May 12, and the event will be held on Friday, June 23rd. More to come on that later.
We look forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming events and hope you encourage others to join us.
Erin Go Bragh, Phil
Phil Dundas
President, The Landscape Company
phil@thelandscapecompany.com
C: (831) 750-0447 │ O: (831) 476-7070
A reminder: this is a great time to register for Partners for Success 2023. Just to make it particularly easy for you here’s a link. Join us in 2023.
Central Coast Chapter Board of Directors 2023
President: Phil Dundas—The Landscape Company
Membership Director: Terri Baker—Graniterock
Secretary/Treasurer: Julie Zuckerman—Delta Bluegrass
Director of Events: Scott Long—Central Coast Landscape
Director of Education: Shane White—K&D Landscaping
Associate Member Director: Bill Bruce—B&B Small Engine Repair
Legislation Director: Regan Barry—Coastal Evergreen
Our CLCA Central Coast Chapter board elections are held each November and will be advertised in our chapter newsletter. Newly elected officers of our chapter were announced in December. If you’re interested in joining the board, just let us know.
By joining our team of leaders managing the Central Coast Chapter you will be helping us bring awareness to the work we do in our community and as C- 27 professional Landscape Contractors.
Volunteer Opportunity
Habitat for Humanity’s Rodeo Creek Project
Who is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is an independent locally operated and funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Our mission is to build decent, affordable homes and provide home ownership opportunities to qualified families who live and work in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. You can learn more here.
“Our current project is Rodeo Creek Court, located in the heart of Live Oak. It’s an 11 home subdivision that is half-way complete. We have six families currently moved in. Four of people in residence are local teachers, we have one veteran, and one family that was displaced by the CZU fires.
While the backyards are small, RCC (Rodeo Creek Court) will have a beautiful common area with a garden, giving the subdivision a park feel.
We are currently reaching out to see if there are any professional landscapers who would assist us in completing this common area.”
Thank you!
Keaton Port Gaarn, Production Manager
Email: keaton@habitatmontereybay.org
Included below are some photos of the progress on the Rodeo Creek Court project.
We introduced this project at the last CLCA Central Coast Chapter’s board meeting and there was interest in participating in this community project. If you are interested contact Keaton at the email above or Phil Dundas at (831) 750-0447 or phil@thelandscapecompany.com. As someone said at the meeting “we’re like an orchestra when we’re on a site. It’s good to break the project into pieces and focus us. Are we playing the tuba? the violin?” The pieces might be “clean up,” “spread mulch,” “irrigation,” “grading,” “planting” perhaps devoting a day as needed. This project is in need of assistance now.
We hope to see Habitat for Humanity at our upcoming Suppliers/New Member Night. Look for them there on March 23. But don’t wait until then to contact them about this project.—Elise the editor
2023 Central Coast Chapter Partners for Success Program
It’s that time of year to renew your partnership. Central Coast’s Partners for Success Program provides an opportunity to increase your visibility in the community, to be seen as a leader in the green industry by helping sustain the many educational and enrichment offerings of our association.
For more information, contact Phil Dundas phil@thelandscapecompany.com
register NOW for 2023!
WE love our 2022 partners (see below)!
With much appreciation Our Partners in Success 2021.
PaRTNER’S CORNER
Regan Barry, Coastal Evergreen
This month Regan Barry is featured in our “Partner’s Corner.” Read more here.
If you are a Partner, this “Partner’s Corner” feature is a great member benefit. Please contact Bill Bruce at B&B Small Engine Repair if you are interested in being featured on our website in a future “Partner’s Corner.” Don’t miss this chance for some FREE advertising.
Advertise in the Central Coast Seascape Newsletter!
It’s always a great time to Advertise in this newsletter! Reach your target audience monthly. Sign up for large, medium, or small ads. For specs and pricing contact: clcaccc.editor@gmail.com. OR sign up online next week, we’re setting up the pages online.
recent EVENT
Our Predictable Profit Workshop
presented by Justin White from K&D landscaping
“Hold on to your hats!” It was a windy day down at the Graniterock in Seaside (yes even more than normal for Seaside!) but that didn’t stop this group of contractors from putting on their learning hats and getting to work.
On Tuesday, February 21st, the CLCA hosted a great strategic workshop all about “Predictable Profit” presented from our guest speaker, Justin White, the CEO of K&D Landscaping. We had a great time discussing the most important topics every business owner should be focusing on moving into 2023. Believe it or not, we are already halfway through the 1st quarter of the fiscal year, so this was the perfect time to take a step back and work on the business and get out of the weeds for a few hours. Big shout-out to the group who came out that day. We had a good turnout of hungry business owners and managers from many companies along the central coast.
Thank you to Graniterock for hosting our event and providing great hospitality. We also want to recognize and thank all of our sponsors who continue to participate in the CLCA. Being a member helps to support these educational events as well as the Central Coast Chapter and its presence and work in the community.
Stay tuned for the next event! We’ll be continuing the discussion on Business Best Practices with a focus on strategy and technology.
—Shane White CLCA Central Coast Chapter’s Education Director
UPCOMING EVENTS
Supplier’s and New Member’s Night
Seascape Golf Club at 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Thursday, March 23, 2023 6:00 pm—9:00 pm
Please join us for our Annual Suppliers and New Members Night, the Central Coast Chapter’s mini trade show. Come meet your local vendor reps and check out what the CLCA is all about. Tri-tip/chicken dinner is free for all C-27s. Members, bring a friend. It’s a great night, full of valuable connections, and new products. No Host Bar 4-5:00 pm, following the “Thirsty Thursday” Golf Tournament on the same day. Dinner will be served 6-7:00 pm.
Come earlier in the day and play golf at Seascape’s beautiful course overlooking Monterey Bay. Fun “4-person scramble” with prizes for “Closest to Pin” and “Longest Drive.” Registration for golf is here and is separate.
Partners check your levels for benefits.
Note that registration is only online this year and will end close on midnight March 17.
Location: The Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Time Schedule:
Vendor set up 3:30pm
No Host Bar 4-5:00pm
Dinner* 6-7:00pm
Announcements and President’s Address 7:00pm
Event finishes 9:00pm
Dinner & Table Fees:
C27 Licensed Contractors One Free Meal
Partner’s Display Table One Free Meal
Member’s Display Table $100.00
Non-Member Display Table Fee $125.00
Extra dinners & Rep Meal $40.00
* dinner choices include chicken and tri-tip and sides.
Further questions? Contact Scott Long slong@centralcoastlandscape.com or phone (831) 462-3726 or (831)332-4565.
Golf event “Thirsty Thursday Tournament” will take place on the same day as Suppliers/New Members Night
Seascape Golf Club at 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Thursday, March 23, 2023 10:30 am-4:00 pm
Come join the fun March 23 at Seascape Golf Club. Consecutive tee times starting at 10:30 am. Format will be 4-person team scramble. Price per player: $100.00 includes golf, cart and prizes. This should be a great time! So round up your foursome and sign up for fun and golf shenanigans!
Fund towards closet to the pin on #8 and long drive on #10.
Supplier’s Night is a separate event, with separate registration. There should be plenty of time to play and relax before Supplier’s/New Member’s Event festivities (starting at 6:00 pm).
Arrival Time/Registration:
4 Person Scramble w/prizes for Longest Drive and Closest to Pin
Starting time is 10:30 a.m., good idea to arrive early.
Cost: Entry fee is $100/member and non-members.
This includes a full round of golf, cart and potential prizes.
Food and Beverage:
The snack shop will be open during the game, and immediately following tournament play, about 4-5:00 pm, there will be a no-host cocktail hour. Same day, following tournament play, Central Coast Supplier’s/New Member’s Event will start at 6:00 pm. This includes a chicken/tri-tip dinner with sides. Registration for Supplier’s Night is separate and can be found here. Join us for both.
Further questions? Call Scott Long at 831-462-3726 or 831-332-4565
Thank you for your support.
We look forward to seeing you on the links March 23.
Join us for a full day of fun with the Central Coast Chapter of the CLCA—March 23! Register for both Thirsty Thursday Golf and Supplier’s/New Member’s Night Dinner/Trade Show!
Education corner
Innovation in Every Drop—2nd Annual Central Coast Water Summit
Learn how to bring innovation into your landscape irrigation with Water Management!
Thursday, March 30, 2023, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM PDT
at Boardwalk's Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Click on image above for full PDF and QR code.
This annual event brings together the most diverse and engaged group of industry professionals on the Central Coast. It delivers education and knowledge around water management as it relates to the landscape industry, and how you can use it to better your business, your property, and your client’s properties.
Justin White and the K&D team have hand selected a group of key-note speakers that will deliver valuable information to you as an attendee. Discussions include irrigation technology, water management, and the science behind drought challenges.
A panel discussion with local water districts will cover topics such as water rates, water restrictions, rebates and any questions from the attendees. A group of industry-leading manufacturers will participate in a showcase-style interview answering questions about their new technology and how you can utilize free resources to educate yourself and your team.
This event kicks off the irrigation season on the Central Coast and you will not want to miss it!
Event will be held at the Cocoanut Grove at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - breakfast & lunch included with ticket purchase. Come hungry to learn and network with leading water management individuals.
Who should attend: We are inviting contractors, property managers, HOA board members, municipality employees/managers, architects, designers, suppliers, technicians, students and any professionals connected to the landscape industry.
*This year we are honored to be able to offer CEUs for Certified Irrigation Technicians! Learn more and enroll here.
Justin White is writing articles for Lawn and Landscape Magazine and we’ll be sharing the links here.
Justin will also be speaking at the Technology Conference in Las Vegas in August, see below:
The Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference Heads to Las Vegas
The conference will take place August 9-11, 2023, at Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
By Jimmy Miller | November 14, 2022
The Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference, the green industry’s only conference dedicated solely to technology for landscape contractors, lawn care professionals and industry decision-makers will be held August 9-11, 2023 at the Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino. This day 2 ½ event will feature a robust educational program completely focused on how landscape professionals are using technology and software to operate more efficient and profitable businesses.
“With new challenges arising and new solutions coming to the forefront in 2023, it’s more important than ever for you to connect and discover ways to build and strengthen competitive and profitable green industry businesses,” said Lawn & Landscape Editor Brian Horn. “We are excited to once again offer both high-level education, as well as the latest technology, all under one roof for the most rewarding conference experience.”
In addition to a powerful education program, attendees will also have access to the exhibit hall featuring the latest technology and software companies serving the professional landscape and lawn care markets. Throughout the conference, attendees will also find ample time for networking.
“Our goal with the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference is to provide you direct access to the top technology and software companies on the market,” Lawn & Landscape Publisher Dave Szy said. “In 2023, we are once again proud to say we are giving you that exclusive experience you can’t find anywhere else.”
Registration rates and pass options will be announced soon.
He will also be speaking at the Lawn and Landscape Technology Conference in Las Vegas this coming August. Here’s a link to that conference.
LEAF Awards Scholarships
Nine Green Industry Students Receive A Total of $42,500
Seeking to promote and support the future of the green industry, the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation has awarded nine scholarships totaling $42,500. The scholarships ranged from $800 to $12,000.
In 2022, LEAF’s scholarship selection committee reviewed 22 scholarship applications. Their selection criteria included career goals, outside activities, work experience, financial need, letters of recommendation and GPA in their major.
The scholarships — the the donations of CLCA members and other the green industry professionals who fund them — have a huge, positive impact.
—by Marianne Estournes, Chair, LEAF Scholarship Selection Committee
RESCAPE 2023 Trainings—Register Now
ReScape is a nonprofit organization that educates about and advocates for a whole-systems regenerative approach to landscaping that works in harmony with the natural world and addresses the changing environment.
Foundational to our work is a whole systems watershed framework that acknowledges that one landscaping input affects the whole ecosystem. All aspects of a healthy community, including of nature communities, must be in coordinated partnership with one another and speak to local geography, as well as regional impact, and rely on management techniques based on sound scientific data, tools, and techniques
ReScape California initially began as the Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Coalition in 2009. The Coalition evolved to become ReScape California in 2015, and grew further when EcoLandscape California merged with ReScape in 2017.
ReScape advocates for state and regional policies that encourage and enable positive investments and implementation measures to address the climate emergency. We work with public agencies and municipalities, government entities and communities who hire our 8 Principles professionals trained in ReScape policy-driven landscape standards and practices.
Firescaping Qualification Training - (FQT)
March 23, 24 - 9am - 1pm
The course provides comprehensive best practices in regenerative landscaping, specifically oriented to reducing fire hazards and preparing cities and large property owners/managers for safety before, during and after a firestorm
Design Qualification Training - DQT
May 2, 3, 9, 10 - 9am - 1:30pm
This training provides landscape design professionals with practical tools for designing and constructing healthy landscapes that protect local watersheds, conserve resources and address our changing climate.
Board Meeting Minutes
February 1, 2023 CLCA Central Coast Board Meeting Minutes
Attendees
Phil Dundas, Terri Baker, Regan Barry, Ki Bowman, Elise Huffman, Scott Long, Shane White, Chris Wilson
Call to Order
Phil called the meeting to order at 12:10 PM. Meeting was at Seascape Golf Course Dining Room
Minutes were approved for Oct.
Notes:
Need to remove David Ventura from Santa Cruz County Bank account, add new Secretary once determined
Regan-Motion to approve CLCA Board Meeting Minutes for following months: (November, December, January) M-S-A
Motion to assign Shane White as Secretary for time being M-S-A (Julia Zuckerman with Delta Blue Grass possibly coming on as new secretary in March, 2023)
Motion to assign Shane White as Treasurer, upon further review and advice from State Chapter, Shane will not be taking the Treasurer seat
Events, upcoming
Date of 4/23/2023, for Suppliers/New Membership Night & Golf Tournament
Seascape Golf Club & Banquet Room is the desired location
Scott asking for total head count, estimated 40 for golf, 75-80 for event
Terri had idea of spreading the word at NorCal Industry Show 2/9/23. Flier with QR code taking people directly to registration page
Elise to work on Constant Contact page for event and work on QR code
Elise to send draft to Phil, Scott, and Regan for final approval then post live on Constant Contact and get into Newsletter for advertising
February Education Event:
Predictable Profit: GraniteRock Seaside upstairs meeting room on Tuesday, February 21st 11:30-1:30 PM. Location is secured and ready for event, thank you Graniterock/Terri Baker, and Chago
Elise to e-blast and social media blast flier around event with Constant Contact registration information, already have 6 people signed up
Elise and Regan to review Constant Contact list of contractors and previous attendees and create “master list” for Scott and the board to start calling, Shane, Terri, and Chris volunteered to help make calls
2 lists total: 1 for attendees, 1 for sponsors
Chris mentioned he has list from Graniterock of all south county landscape companies, going to send to Shane to call and get to sign up
By-Laws:
Regan going to confirm State has approved Central Coast By Laws-he will work with Phil to make sure we are good
Marketing:
Social Media Campaign with Jackie Serrano, discussion around not posting as much on Facebook, focus on LinkedIn and Instagram
Elise to add Terri, Scott, Phil, and Ki to Constant Contact
Elise has archived newsletters for reference and contacts
Elise goal for newsletters, get out for the month within first week of new month
Terri has been working hard on relationships with vendors
Awards Banquet:
Phil mentioned it would be good to start looking at venues for Awards Banquet, maybe Chaminade, Back 9 at Pasatiempo, Dream Inn, Hilton Scotts Valley, McKenzies (Scott and Regan to begin getting pricing and information)
Community Outreach:
Habitat from Humanity (CLCA to donate labor and expertise around irrigation and planting, Phill to handle coordination at this point and bring information back to board of how and when we can help and get other contractors involved to help out)
Meeting adjourned @ 1:26 PM
TO DO’s:
Phil: Need to remove David Ventura from Santa Cruz County Bank account, add new Secretary once determined
Elise to E-blast and social media blast flier around event with Constant Contact about Predictable Profit
Elise and Regan to review Constant Contact List of contractors and previous attendees and create “master list” for Scott and the board to start calling, Shane, Terri, and Chris volunteered to help make calls
Chris will send list from Graniterock of all south county landscape companies, going to send to Shane to call and get to sign up
Regan going to confirm State has approved Central Coast By Laws, he will work with Phil to make sure we are good
Elise to add Terri, Scott, Phil, and Ki to Constant Contact
Scott and Regan begin getting pricing for Awards Banquet in June