August 24, 2016

For immediate release:

WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE 13TH ANNUAL
NATIONAL AWARDS OF LANDSCAPE EXCELLENCE 
Winners of the 2016 National Awards of Landscape Excellence and BC Landscape Awards of Excellence pose with MP Steven Fuhr at the awards ceremony last week in Kelowna, BC.
The thirteenth annual National Awards of Landscape Excellence took place August 17th in Kelowna, British Columbia. The BC Landscape Awards of Excellence were also presented during the ceremony. In attendance were the CNLA Board of Directors, BCLNA members, representatives from Caterpillar Inc., DynaSCAPE Software, FCA Canada, HortProtect, Kubota, as well as other distinguished guests and sponsors. 
 
Also in attendance, was MP Stephen Fuhr, who announced the contribution of $1.1 million to grow the domestic and international market for Canadian ornamental horticulture.  MP Fuhr's announcement was well received by everyone in the room, as this significant investment in Canada's nursery and landscape sector will benefit the entire value chain, from the grower to the consumer.  CNLA President, Rene Thiebaud, confirmed that the funding will be used in a variety of projects dedicated to increasing market exposure of Canadian ornamental horticulture products.
 
National judges received over 50 entries in the landscape categories alone, where only five could be named national champions.  A huge thank you to everyone that participated in their provincial awards for a chance to be entered into the national awards - 2016 was one of the biggest years to date.
 
The winners in the five landscape categories are: Bruce Wilson Landscaping Ltd. in Ontario, for the Caterpillar Award of Excellence in Commercial Landscape Construction/Installation; Pro-Land Landscape Construction Inc. in Ontario, for the Caterpillar Award of Excellence in Residential Landscape Construction/Installation; Joe Bidermann Landscaping Design Inc. in Nova Scotia, for the DynaSCAPE Award of Excellence in Landscape Design; OGS Grounds Maintenance Specialists in Ontario, for the National Award of Landscape Excellence in Commercial Maintenance; Cedar Springs Landscape Group in Ontario, for the National Award of Landscape Excellence in Residential Maintenance.
 
Harold Deenen was awarded the prestigious President's Award for his years of service and dedication to the both the association and the industry as a whole.  Donnie Burke accepted the Green for Life Community Award on behalf of Nova Scotia Lands and the other groups involved in the restoration of the Sydney Tar Ponds into the beautiful Open Hearth Park.  Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery in Barrie, Ontario was named Garden Centre of the Year.  Van Belle Nursery took home Grower of the Year and will compete in the international competition next year.
 
Congratulations to all of the winners for truly outstanding projects.  Each entrant into the Awards of Excellence program demonstrates a commitment to their community and environment, by upholding the standard of what it means to be a true landscape professional.

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About the Awards
The National Awards of Landscape Excellence is an annual gala evening dedicated to showcasing the highest level of professionalism in Canada's landscape sector. Each province nominates members that are then entered into the national awards. Along with the five Landscape Excellence Awards are the Garden Centre of the Year, Grower of the Year and Green for Life Awards.
 
About CNLA  
CNLA is the premier federation of over 3,800 member companies across Canada creating and caring for the outdoor living environment. The association represents the country's $14.48 billion green industry, which is comprised of thousands of locally owned companies that grow, design, install, and maintain plants and other landscape features in the outdoor living environment. For more information visit www.cnla-acpp.ca.
 
 
Anne Beifuss | Communications Specialist
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
888-446-3499 ext. 8690 | [email protected]

Thank you to our national sponsors!