with DHS about including “landscap- ers” in any future updates of the list. On March 28, DHS released Es- sential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response version 2.0, which specifically included “land- scapers.” This was a significant win for the landscape industry and assisted in solidifying the essential nature of the landscape industry with federal, state and local officials. Since version 2.0, a third version was released on April 17 and continues to include “landscapers” as essential.
One of the most important compo- nents of all the orders mandated by the states or localities is to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by requiring strict safety protocols that must be practiced by all business that are deemed essential. NALP promptly provided Operational Guidelines for the Landscape industry during COVID-19. The guidelines are based on recom- mendations provided by the federal government and are updated when new information is provided to better protect landscape employees and re- duce any transmission with landscape customers or the general public. These guidelines were used to demonstrate the responsible practices of the land- scape industry with state governments and should be rigidly adhered to be- cause the landscape industry is being closely watched by policy makers, our customers and the general public. Re- member the old saying “one bad apple ruins the bunch.”
While we are certainly not out of the woods yet on COVID-19 and the ability of the landscape industry to continue to operate as an essential business, the path ahead is promising. States have recognized the essential nature of the landscape industry and are now taking the next steps of beginning to relax orders on all businesses but we must remain hyper vigilant through the remainder of the spring and into the summer as fears grow over a second wave in the fall. The success NALP has had in advocating on behalf of the industry was only possible with the tremendous support and participation by the entire industry. The amount of energy and activity at the grassroots level with individual companies, state associa- tions and other allied industries and associations has been unprecedented for the landscape industry. NALP’s ability to collaborate and cooperate with our partner state associations was a pivotal component of these positive outcomes. NALP is confident that even in these
chaotic times that we will get through this by working together. There will continue to be obstacles and we will not stop advocating on your behalf. The path forward is clear, landscape services are indeed essential, strict COVID-19 safety measures must be rigorously implemented and as an in- dustry we are much stronger together working towards one common goal for the entire landscape industry. TLP
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National Association of Landscape Professionals 33
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