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iLandscape 2024: January 31-February 2

iLandscape is the show for today’s landscape professional. Join us for the 11th annual iLandscape show, January 31-February 2, 2024!

Announcements & Articles

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY IDENTIFIED IN ILLINOIS

Press Release - Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Nuisance Pest Does Not Present Human or Animal Health Concerns

SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first detection of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma deliculata) in Illinois. Following a report of a live adult on Sept. 16, state, federal, and local officials coordinated a site visit near the area of the report and identified a moderately populated area of spotted lanternfly (SLF) on Sept. 18. Specimens were collected and submitted for identification, and confirmatory results were received on September 26. The spotted lanternfly does not present any human or animal health concerns.

"If there is a silver lining associated with spotted lantern fly in Illinois, it is that we have no reason to believe that widespread plant or tree death will result from its presence," said Scott Schirmer, Illinois Department of Agriculture's Nursery and Northern Field Office Section Manager. "This is likely going to be a nuisance pest that interferes with our ability to enjoy outdoor spaces and may have some impact on the agritourism industry, including orchards, pumpkin patches, and vineyards."

"Spotted lanternfly has been inching closer to the Midwest and Illinois for close to a decade," said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director. "We have had a multi-agency team working to prepare for this scenario - including efforts on readiness, informing and educating the industry and the public, as well as monitoring early detection,"

Spotted lanternfly is an invasive plant hopper native to eastern Asia. First found in the U.S. in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014, SLF has continued to spread throughout the eastern U.S. and recently into the Midwest. Confirmed identifications of SLF have been recorded in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, in addition to some eastern and southeastern states.

SLF feeds on a wide variety of plants, including a strong affinity to the invasive tree of heaven (TOH), grapes (both wild and cultivated), and maple trees. These plants should be targeted for any monitoring activities. When feeding, SLF produces honeydew which is a sticky liquid that often coats or accumulates on the foliage and other parts of plants.

SLF is believed to move easily on wood surfaces and products, vehicles such as trains, outdoor articles, and more - making it a challenging pest to contain and anticipate. Prevention and early detection are vital to limiting its ability to move and intrude upon new areas. Persons are highly encouraged to report any believed sightings of SLF to lanternfly@illinois.edu. Photos are necessary to verify a report and to aid in identification.

"IDOA is working with federal and local partners in an effort to determine the full extent of the infestation," said Dr. Michael Woods, Division Manager of Natural Resources. "Although we cannot determine with any degree of certainty how SLF has arrived here, efforts are being undertaken to better understand its movement and behavior."

The research and regulatory communities are continuing to learn about SLF, its behaviors, potential impacts, and effective management strategies - despite ongoing endeavors to minimize its spread and the associated impact on industry and natural resources.

What can you do to help?

• Report sightings - If you see SLF or suspect it, report it to lanternfly@illinois.edu. A fact sheet, including photos, is available through the University of Illinois Extension.
• Remove and destroy pests - crush nymphs and adults, scrape egg masses into a container with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them. Remember to take photos first, and report this!
• Check your vehicles, boat, camper, outdoor articles, etc. - Before leaving an area, do a quick inspection for any life stages. Destroy any eggs or insects found.
• Keep your eyes open and spread the word (not the pest) - We need the public's help to look for and report this pest, and to also strengthen the outreach about it. It will likely impact everyone in Illinois one way or another, so the more awareness we have the better.

2023 Hall of Fame Nominations.

Nominations may be submitted by an active member of WNLA.  However, letters of support from any person or group may accompany a nomination. If you’ve submitted a nomination more than two years ago, please re-submit the nomination to ensure your nominee’s consideration for the 2023 award.

NALP Advocacy News

The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the driving force behind protecting and advocating for the interests of landscape and lawn care companies, enabling them to create and maintain the managed landscapes that keep our nation green, healthy and beautiful. Our team tracks legislation, participates in government advisory boards and committees, and provides input on legislation and regulations that affect our industry. Your participation is vital to those efforts

                               Federal Issues                         State Issues                    NALP-PAC 

Wisconsin

Commercial use of pesticides and fertilizers to care for lawns, landscapes and trees requires strict compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Below are some resources pertaining to applicable state laws and regulations for pesticide and fertilizer use by professional applicators, information on certification and training requirements for professional applicators for their specific area of use and information on how to contact your regulators with questions or concerns.

Pesticide Regulations

Fertilizer Regulations

Certification Information

Contact Your Pesticide Regulators

Contact Your Fertilizer Regulators

Fertilizer Application Compliance

Recruiting, protecting, maintaining and growing the workforce is of paramount importance to the Landscape industry. There are a myriad of state specific laws and regulations concerning labor and safety issues; along with many opportunities to engage local and state officials to ensure compliance and tap into resources to assist you in growing the workforce. Below is some information on key state specific labor laws and regulations along with recruitment opportunities and state agency contacts.

WNLA Committees

• Serve as WNLA interface with state government
• Build relationships with state agencies that regulate our industry
• Works to make the profession of “Green Industry “visible and relevant
  to our state legislators and government officials.
• Provides updates to membership on relevant governmental issues
• Support Workforce Development Skills
• Review national groups for public awareness opportunities
• Look for collaborations in business development for member companies

• Grow Membeship by recruiting new members
• Launch recruiting campaign to aggressively attract and recruit members
• Develop and implement Retention Campaigns to keep existing members
• Target younger potential members

• Stage engagement experiences and events (coordinate new member and networking social events)

• Promote conferences and industry events
• Promote professional development seminars and offerings
• Develop brand statements
• Maintain social media presence via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.

• Build on the Spring Start up Workshop
• Hall of Fame & Distinguished Service Awards 
• Seek Potential SpeakersProvide on-site support
• Coordinate educational workshops, seminars, garden & landscape events  

NETWORKING/SOCIAL EVENTS Committee 

• To plan and facilitate WNLA networking and social events
• Solicit Sponsorship, auction items, and raffle prizes
• Provide on-site support
• Golf Outing
• Brewer Game
• Holiday Party

All Committee’s will work with association management office to execute the events successfully.

If you are interested in joining a WNLA committee please email jeanine@wamllc.net, for details.

Sponsors

WNLA Annual Sponsorship Opportunity

2023 Sponsorship Advertising 

Advertising in the WNLA website gives your company unbeatable exposure to current and potential customers! You will also be listed in each WNLA Enews. Website Scolling Logo on Home Page with link to your own website.  Listing in WNLA Newsletter for 1 year The logo, once clicked, will direct to your company website. For more info email jeanine@wamllc.net. 

Call for Articles

This is a call for articles or events happening with your company.  Any news or press releases pertaining to your organization or if you are holding an event at your location that you would like others to hear about, pass them along to us and we will add them into our newsletters!  Send any content to Jeanine.  jeanine@wamllc.net