APRIL 2026

Mark your calendars and join us THIS MORNING (10:00-11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 22) via Zoom for the inaugural meeting of MNLA's Professional Women in Horticulture networking group. The purpose of this session is to gather information and ideas to guide the group's long-term structure and to shape programming and priorities.

2026 Green Industry Legislative Day –

A Successful Event!

On March 18th, Michigan’s Green Industry professional members arrived in Downtown Lansing for our annual Green Industry Legislative Day. We met at MNLA’s Lobby firm Governmental Consulting Services Inc. (GCSI) and started the day by walking over to attend the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development Meeting in Stabenow Hall (formerly Constitution Hall). At this meeting industry provided testimony on the proposed additions to the prohibited and restricted invasive species lists and heard the report on this from MDARD’s and MDNR’s invasive species program representatives.

From there we returned to GCSI for a group lunch and debriefing from our Lobbyist, Samantha Zandee, on our message and the protocol for our legislative office visits. We then walked over and visited every office in our Legislature to give our message and leave them with a beautiful plant. 

Our main goals were to reinforce with each Legislator the size and scope of Michigan’s Green Industry, give each our Legislative Priorities for this cycle, and to highlight the top four items we are working on for Michigan’s Green Industry. 

The four legislative and regulatory items we focused on are listed below. They are ongoing and we will update you as changes come.

–  Unemployment Issue – Work Search Waiver

–  HB 4582 – To Restore the ‘Open and Obvious’ Doctrine

–  Compost and Interpretation Issue

–  Invasive Plant Issue 

The responses that our members received while visiting the offices was very positive and included time with the staff, and some of our members were able to meet directly with the Legislators. In all instances we received strong interest and a willingness to support our industry. There were many requests for additional information and the appreciation continued to come from legislative offices after our Legislative Day had ended. In all respects this was a very successful Green Industry Legislative Day!

Our appreciation goes to our good friends at Hortech, Inc. for providing the beautiful plants that we gave out to every legislative office. Our appreciation also goes to everyone that participated in this year’s Green Industry Legislative Day! Together, speaking with ONE voice, we made a difference for our great, Green Industry!

MNLA Joins MI Alliance for Legal Reform to Address Key Issues for MI’s Green Industry

Earlier this year, MNLA’s Board of Directors approved our membership in the MI Alliance for Legal Reform. This group of coalition partners is comprised of business associations that are committed to restoring balance and fairness to our state’s legal system through commonsense reforms. The goal of this Alliance is to protect consumers, small businesses and communities from abusive legal practices.

One of the key issues of this Alliance is restoring the “open and obvious” doctrine that is hurting our snow and ice professionals. The "open and obvious" doctrine was a longstanding premises liability protection for hazards on properties deemed “open and obvious” to the average person, like a slippery patch of ice on a sidewalk or a pothole in the parking lot. This standard protected Michigan from courtroom backlogs and discouraged frivolous lawsuits against property owners.

Taking the Pulse of the Green Industry – Tell us How You Are Doing!

As we move from the Winter to the Spring season, we’d like to hear from you to assess what challenges you are facing and how you are maneuvering them. Please take five minutes to complete this survey and let us know what you are facing out there on the front lines. Click HERE to take the survey or, if you prefer, you can either email Amy Upton at Amy@MNLA.org or call Amy at (517) 381-0437 to let us know how you are doing. 

MNLA’s Community Landscape Beautification Awards Program –

Deadline July 1, 2026

The “Community Landscape Beautification Awards Program” recognizes outstanding communities for their excellence in improving the physical and aesthetic environment of their neighborhoods, and in raising the awareness of the positive economic growth and environmental impacts that quality landscaping brings to Michigan’s communities. These projects are designed to enhance the visual image of the neighborhoods, improve livability, build civic pride and promote community spirit.

To be eligible for a Community Landscape Beautification Award, the project must be a Non-Residential Landscape in a Community setting, readily visible from the street and meet the standards and entry rules as set forth by MNLA. Any Public Project is Eligible (parks, downtown streetscapes, gateway projects, etc.). Any Public Facility is Eligible (schools, University campuses, libraries, hospitals, etc.).

If you have worked on a community project or have an active Garden Club in your Community, please pass this on to them. Click HERE for more information and HERE to submit your Application online. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2026.

(Photo above: Award winner Ed LaClair Lapeer Rotary Pocket Park)

2027 Great Lakes Trade Exposition – Save the Date and Reserve your Booth Space Now!

We are pleased to announce the dates and location of the Green Industry’s oldest, largest, and most respected show of its kind in Michigan. The 104th Great Lakes Trade Expo (GLTE) is being held January 19-21, 2027 at the DeVos Place and Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI!

The 2027 GLTE is a Tuesday through Thursday event with a two-day trade show and three days of classroom and hands-on education. The GLTE Experience Team is developing the education conference and trade show and more details will be coming soon. Exhibitor and Sponsorship information is now available by going to www.GLTE.org. 

Please help us thank the 2026 GLTE Exhibitors and Sponsors by purchasing from them throughout the year! Click HERE to see the list of 2026 GLTE Exhibitors and HERE to see our Sponsoring Firms.

2026 Arbor Day – April 24, 2026

In Michigan, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April. This year, Arbor Day in Michigan is on April 24, 2026. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) encourages communities and individuals to plant trees and participate in Arbor Day events. Click HERE to go to the MDNR’s website and learn more.

By Trish Haeffner, Gallagher Affinity

For many landscapers and nursery owners, spring is an exciting, yet busy, return to the regular work season after a long, slow winter. With a flurry of client requests right around the corner or already underway, spring is when many business owners embark on necessary hiring, purchasing and scheduling initiatives.

While these efforts are essential to keeping your business running smoothly, they also expose inexperienced employees to seasonal risks, such as driving company vehicles, operating heavy machinery and following fast-paced timelines. For your business, these factors unfortunately open the door to work-related injuries, property damage and related claims.

Continue reading to gain a better understanding of how seasonal hiring, new drivers and outdoor conditions can impact your workers’ compensation and liability coverages, plus what steps you can take to keep claims low and control these costs. 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE...

Visit the MNLA/Gallagher | Affinity Portal for customized solutions

to keep your business growing.

Upcoming Education & Events

JULY 2026

Turf and Landscape Diagnostic Tour, July 23, 2026 at Applewood Estate, Flint, MI. MDARD recertification credits (applied for): 2 CEUs in 3A, 3B, or 6. Email Emily for information: Emily@MNLA.org.

U.P. Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education & Skills Training, July 29, 2026 in Marquette, MI. This year’s program will have a hands-on sprayer and spreader calibration workshop; a diagnostic walking tour of the turfgrass and landscape of Northern Michigan University’s campus, updates on U.P. invasive vegetation and a MDARD mock spray vehicle roadside inspection. MDARD recertification credits (applied for): 8 CEUs in Commercial Core, Private Core, 2, 3A, 3B or 6. Email Emily for information: Emily@MNLA.org.

AUGUST 2026

Elite Crew Training, August 12 & 19, 2026 in East Lansing, MI. Two consecutive Wednesdays of hands-on training for landscape crew members. Email Emily for information: Emily@MNLA.org.

MNLA’s 36th Annual Golf Classic - Thursday, August 13, 2026

Mark your calendar for this summer’s Annual Golf Classic! This year’s event will once again take place at PohlCat Golf Course, located at 6595 E. Airport Rd. in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Don’t forget—100% of the proceeds support the MNLA Scholarship Fund. Last year alone, 11 scholarships were awarded, helping make a meaningful impact in the lives of students pursuing careers in the Green Industry.

For more information contact Becky at (517) 381-0437 or email Becky@MNLA.org.

Landscape Design Tour, August 28, 2026 in Detroit, MI. Join your peers for a creative and inspirational day of tours featuring residential, commercial, and public landscapes in the Metro Detroit area. Email Emily for information: Emily@MNLA.org.

OCTOBER 2026

10th Annual Green Industry Chapter Sporting Clays Competition and Meet & Greet, October 8, 2026, Brighton, MI, Sponsored by Southeast MI Nursery & Landscape Association and Unilock Michigan. Registration information will be sent out soon.

Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association

517.381.0437

www.MNLA.org