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WSNLA helps you mind the store.
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Legislative “watch” and advocacy. WSNLA has an established presence in Olympia and in other places where public policy affecting the industry is formulated. In fact, WSNLA is named in certain state laws as the organization which advises state government on some matters and makes recommendations of people to be named to certain government advisory committees. A special state fund to pay for plant research was championed solely by WSNLA and is now producing in excess of $100,000 yearly to benefit and protect the industry.
WSNLA’s advocacy efforts have achieved many notable successes over the years. Today, we continue to keep the dialog open, bringing members and state legislators face to face to discuss pertinent issues and partnering with like-minded organizations to encourage regulatory and legislative decisions that make good business sense and help our members prosper. We also work hand-in-hand with regulators, especially at the Washington Department of Agriculture, to ensure a smooth and productive working relationship.
Our collaborative efforts here in Washington State include work with the Nursery Industry Advisory Committee, Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP), Washington Floriculture Association (Waflora), Flower Growers of Puget Sound (FGPS), Washington Friends of Farms and Forests, Washington State Farm Bureau and Association for Washington Business. Nationally, we are actively involved with the Nursery & Landscape Association Executives, Western Region Nursery Association Executives, American Nursery & Landscape Association and Horticultural Research Institute.
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 “Water for Life” statewide campaign. Originally created by WSNLA in 1992, this public education campaign has been renewed and expanded to address ongoing concerns regarding drought (or threat of drought) and its ramifications for landscape installation and maintenance. Our central message to the public is simple: even in water-stressed times, you CAN plant and water, if you use proper conservation-oriented techniques.
The “Water for Life” campaign includes helpful brochures which are distributed through retail nurseries and garden centers, as well as work with garden writers around the state and with Seattle-area media personalities, all aimed at getting our message to the public. Our goal is to give the public a message that is positive, constructive, well-rounded and consistent.
“Water for Life” has become a cooperative effort of WSNLA, WALP, Waflora and FGPS. Along with the public education steps described above, we are working as a group to gain additional support from the major utilities and to remind regulators and legislators that water usage is an economic issue. Ornamental agriculture is a key industry in making Washington one of the top specialty crop states in the country.
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