Historical Highlights
The BC Landscape & Nursery Association is a non-profit organization that represents over 700 members consisting of BC's nursery growers, landscape professionals, and garden centres. Since 1953, this dynamic, member-driven organization has been promoting quality and providing leadership to the horticulture industry.

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 of 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.)

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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.

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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.

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 HortWest magazine with a circulation of nearly 1500. By the end of the 70s, membership had grown to just over 100.

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The 80's
The 80s ushered in the Western Canada Horticultural Trade Show, the forerunner of today's CanWest Hort Show. Held at the PNE Fair Grounds 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 and Exhibition Centre. CanWest now welcomes 275 exhibitors in more than 430 booths.

In the 1980s, the Landscaper's and Nurseryman's Certification programs were introduced to increase industry standards and provide educational programs for members' employees. The first BC Landscape Standard, now in its sixth edition, was produced cooperatively with the BC Society of Landscape Architects.

The Plant Introduction Scheme Botanical Gardens (PISBG) was developed by the 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 Cloverdale, from which the association could serve its members, now grown to more than 275.

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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.

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The 2000's
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, 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 of 2004, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of P. 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 has been working with all key stakeholders in developing a certification program so that nurseries can demonstrate on an ongoing basis that they are free of the disease.

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Whats in store for the next 50 years?
BCLNA is strategizing again to ensure it continues moving toward its vision of being "an organization whose actions result in global recognition of British Columbia as a leader in landscape horticulture."

For more historical facts, you can check out the BCLNA's 50th Anniversary commemorative book highlighting the associations past. Come down to our office, grab a coffee, relax in the boardroom and enjoy the read.

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Honorary Members
Jean Anderson
Bill Duivenvoorde, Valley Garden Centre Ltd.
Henry Eddie
Don Fraser, Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd.
David Hunter, (David Hunter Garden Center)
Gerry Hutchinson, Hutchinson Nursery Sales Ltd.
George Kato, Kato's Nursery Ltd.
Ed Les, Eddi's Wholesale Garden Supplies Ltd.
Bruce Macdonald, (UBC Botanical Garden)
John Massot, (Massot Nursery)
John Mathies, Cannor Nurseries Ltd.
John Murray, (Murray Nurseries Ltd.)
Dave Ormrod, Arborvitae Nursery
Barry Peters, Freelance Garden Writer/Landscaper, seasonal Cedar Rim employee
John Philippo Dave Redekop, Aldergrove Nursery Ltd.
Bert Vielvoye, (Gibbs Nurseryland & Florist)
Dave Mitchell, DMG Landscape Architects
Brian Minter, Minter Country Garden Ltd.

(Note: italics denotes no longer active or involved in business.)

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