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| | NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (For 2009) | | | Organic Landscape Alliance | Annual General Meeting (For 2009)
Toronto, Ontario | February 9, 2010 Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA) would like to notify its membership of the organization’s 2009 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”). Date: Sat. February 27, 2010 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Place: Centre For Social Innovation – Innovation Lab (4th Floor)
215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120, Toronto, ON M5T 2C7 More info: www.socialinnovation.ca Map info: http://socialinnovation.ca/contact
RSVP: Please RSVP your attendance in person by e-mailing us at: info@organiclandscape.org or call 1-866-824-7685
(leave message - Name & Business)
Can’t Attend In Person?
For those members who will not be able to attend the AGM in person, but would like to participate by conference call - please register by e-mailing us at: info@organiclandscape.org We will e-mail you the conference call information once you have registered. Also - see Proxy Vote By E-mail instructions below. Agenda - Call to Order
- Appointment of Secretary for Annual Meeting
- President’s Report (review of 2008-2009) - (see "Changes To Corporate Structure" below)
- Treasurer’s Report (review 2008-2009)
- Election of the Board of Directors
- Open Forum Discussion - Strategy Considerations For OLA Membership 2010 & Beyond
- Closing - Adjournment
For the following AGM documents - please click on the links below:
Organic Landscape Alliance | Notice of AGM E-mail | Proxy Voting Form Strategic Considerations Document | For Discussion | | |
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| | OLA | CHANGES TO CORPORATE STRUCTURE | | | For Immediate Release
Wed December 29, 2009
Toronto, Canada Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA) is pleased to publicly acknowledge the following changes to its corporate structure. All postings are interim and subject to approval and membership ratification scheduled to take place at the next OLA Annual General Meeting sometime in early 2010. Richard (Rick) Brzakala has accepted the posting as President of the OLA and agreed to serve on OLA’s Board of Directors. The posting is subject to a membership ratification vote scheduled for early 2010.
Mr. Brzakala is an experienced land care management executive having held senior positions with Mississauga’s Applewood Acres Gardening & Landscaping and Applewood Property Management.
His experience running Applewood Acres' Toronto and Mississauga operations and its established historical commitment to ecologically responsible land care practices will add greatly to the Board’s operational knowledge and in leading the Board to review OLA's strategic vision and corporate structure in the coming new year.
Mr. Brzakala is currently president at Applewood Acres Gardening & Landscaping, based in Mississauga Canada. Chris MacLuckie has accepted the position as Interim-Vice President and Board Member of the Organic Landscape Alliance. The posting is subject to a membership ratification vote scheduled for early 2010. Mr. MacLuckie is owner-operator of "The Greener Side", an innovative environmentally oriented gardening company that bridges the gap between edible and ornamental landscaping, while focusing on natural plant health and organic soil nutrition.
He has extensive business operational experience and is a forward thinker embracing all mediums of marketing and advertising. His executive managerial experience and familiarity with day to day company operations will serve OLA in its vision of elevating its organizational profile.
Mr. MacLuckie's operational business knowledge, industry and marketplace contacts will serve OLA and its membership well. Christine Upton, previously Managing Director for Organic Landscape Alliance, has been appointed to the Board of Directors and has accepted the role of Secretary. The posting is subject to a membership ratification vote scheduled for early 2010. Christine brings years of managerial experience with the day to day operations of OLA and other not-for-profit organizations. She has a proven track record of implementing and successfully executing policies and programs for OLA.
Most recently Ms. Upton worked alongside other environmental and health organizations and agencies in successfully advocating and helping draft pesticide-free reforms that resulted in the Ontario-wide Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act. In addition to her volunteer work with the Organic Landscape Alliance, Christine is also the Coordinator for Sustainable Halton Hills. Recently she was invited to participate in the Town of Halton Hills - Mayor’s Green Plan Task Force which lead to a document called the Green Plan. Christine is now assisting in the implementation of the Town’s Green Plan and also sits on the recently struck Halton Hills - Town Sustainability Advisory Committee. Frank Reddick has accepted the position of Treasurer. The posting is subject to a membership ratification vote scheduled for early 2010. Mr. Reddick has been part of the OLA Board for a number of years and helped represent OLA at the many municipal and provincial government consultations leading up to Ontario’s cosmetic pesticide ban. Mr. Reddick has decades of experience in the pesticide and fertilizer industries which he left to start Turf Logic. This experience included sales throughout North America, management, equipment design and custom application. He spent many years on the Ontario Board of what is now Crop Life, was on its National Board and is a member of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists. Frank is currently is Vice-President of Turf Logic, a national pesticide-free lawn care company with franchises in BC, AB and ON. He is based in Barrie, Ontario. For more information contact: Richard Brzakala or Christine Upton
1-866-824-7685
info@organiclandscape.org | | |
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| | OLA OFFERS UP SOLUTIONS FOR A PESTICIDE-FREE ONTARIO | | | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 22, 2008
Toronto – Pleased with the Government of Ontario’s announcement today with regard to legislation banning the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides, the Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA) is ready to help educate the public about natural, non-toxic gardening and landscaping methods. "The Organic Landscape Alliance is pleased that this new legislation will protect all Ontarians from the harmful effects of cosmetic lawn and garden pesticides, said Mark MacKenzie, OLA’s President. "Until now, only those residents living in municipalities that had passed a local pesticide bylaw were protected. We look forward to strong provincial pesticide regulations and an effective public education program that will empower Ontarians to create healthy and sustainable landscapes with truly organic products." Over the past 10 years, OLA has promoted organic horticulture through its website, www.organiclandscape.org. Our website offers fact sheets and resources on organic lawn care and gardening for "do-it-yourselfers" and community groups. It also lists organic lawn care and landscaping service providers.. "We have made presentations to and consulted with many Ontario municipal councils who wanted to adopt pesticide bylaws, but who needed information on the organic approach," said Frank Reddick, owner of Turf Logic. "We have worked with municipal staff across the province, helping them to create a list of allowable non-toxic products." OLA plays a unique role in educating the public and governments about organic lawn care and landscaping. With Ontario-wide cosmetic pesticide legislation on our door step, OLA encourages everyone to start this lawn care season by brushing up on sustainable lawn care and landscaping techniques and products. Nematodes, for instance, are an effective organic solution to a grub infestation. Many garden centres now carry a variety of non-toxic gardening and landscaping solutions, including nematodes. Organic lawn care creates healthy, fertile soils. Organic lawn care also relies on the selection of appropriate plant species, easing the demand on water resources—another issue of concern to the public. Buyer Beware …Not All Lawn Care Products or Services are "Organic" (Even If the Label Says So) OLA advises the public to watch out for fertilizers or lawn care programs using "organic-based" fertilizer. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which regulates fertilizers, permits fertilizers to be marketed as "organic-based" even though it only contains 15% of organic source material. Gardeners and landscapers should instead look for fertilizers and lawn care programs that are 100% organic. Hiring truly organic landscapers and lawn care service suppliers will provide good results while protecting human and environmental health. OLA is a national non-profit trade association committed to the promotion and development of organic horticulture. Organic lawn care works towards a more sustainable way of living. For answers to questions about organic lawn care, please visit: www.organiclandscape.org. -30- For more information contact:
Mark MacKenzie
President
Organic Landscape Alliance
Tel: 1-866-824-7685
Frank Reddick
Board Member
Organic Landscape Alliance
Tel: 1-866-824-7685 Christine Upton
Managing Director
Organic Landscape Alliance
Tel: 1-866-824-7685 | | |
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| | ORGANIC SOLUTIONS FOR A PESTICIDE FREE OTTAWA | | | MEDIA ADVISORY
OCT 17, 2007
October 17, 2007 (Ottawa): “Organic Solutions For A Pesticide Free Ottawa” is the topic of the Organic Landscape Alliance’s (OLA) conference, to be held Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Embassy West Hotel in Ottawa. The conference is open to anyone interested in organic landscaping solutions. It will offer beginner and advanced workshops covering organic lawn care and gardening, a mini trade show, an organic lunch and a panel discussion entitled “Why Ottawa Needs a Strong Pesticide Bylaw”. “So much is happening nationwide with regards to pesticide bylaws… it’s perfect timing to educate people about organic solutions,” said OLA Managing Director, Christine Upton. “The Ontario Liberal Party promised a provincial ban on cosmetic pesticides if they were elected. The public, municipalities, and landscape businesses will need to learn less toxic, more sustainable practices,” said Upton.A beginner workshop, entitled “Organic Lawn Care 101”, will feature guest speakers Mary Anne Jackson-Hughes, a Horticulturist, and Penny Macdonald, an Entomologist. Popular Ottawa entrepreneur and speaker, Doug King, owner of Make It Green Garden Centre, will deliver “Organic Gardening 101”. Mr. King has extensive experience educating the public about organic landscaping. Advanced workshops will cover important aspects of organic lawn care which are essential to maintaining a healthy lawn and garden — such as how to optimize soil conditions. Advanced workshops will feature OLA member, Frank Reddick of Turf Logic, whose clients include municipalities, large businesses, and lawn care franchises. “Exterminating pests and weeds to have a nice lawn is old thinking”, says Reddick. “We teach people that good horticultural practices will get them the lawn they want without the pests they don’t want.” Gary Skillen’s workshop, entitled “Balancing Soils for Healthy Plants”, will review nine principles that create conditions under whereby weeds are less competitive and insects are kept at bay.People who are unable to attend the entire conference may opt to enjoy OLA’s organic lunch and a panel discussion entitled “Why Ottawa Needs a Strong Pesticide Bylaw”. The panel includes Dr. Meg Sears, an Ottawa science analyst and medical writer associated with the CHEO Research Institute, who works closely with physicians and scientists regarding the health effects of pesticides. Frank Reddick will relate his experiences with municipalities and how they are best able to overcome challenges under pesticide bylaws. During the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to network with organic lawn care providers. A mini trade show will feature earth-friendly products and services.The Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA) is a non-profit association dedicated to non-toxic landscaping. OLA is in the business of growing beautiful, healthy lawns, gardens, and parks. A reliable source of organic landscaping information and services, OLA provides educational, networking and research opportunities to professionals and the public. OLA’s website www.organiclandscape.org offers a list of organic service providers and suppliers. The “do-it-yourselfer” will find fact sheets on organic lawn care and gardening covering topics including organic lawn care, assessing a lawn, grasses, fertilizers, grub control, groundcovers, and how to talk to others about organic lawn care.The Organic Landscape Alliance’s (OLA) Ottawa conference will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2007 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Embassy West Hotel in Ottawa. Registration begins at 8:00 am. Media are welcome.For more information on this upcoming conference and on the Organic Landscape Alliance, contact: Christine Upton
Managing Director
1-866-824-7685
info@organiclandscape.orgMeg Sears PhD
(613) 297-6042 (cell)Frank Reddick P. Ag.
(705) 309-1400 (cell) | | |
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| | ORGANIC LANDSCAPE ALLIANCE SUPPORTS A BAN ON LAWN AND GARDEN PESTICIDES | | | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 31, 2007Ottawa - The Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA) supports a provincial law that would ban the use of lawn and garden pesticides.
“A provincial pesticide law would protect Ontario residents from the health and environmental effects of lawn and garden chemicals,” said Mark MacKenzie, owner of Appleseed Organic Lawn Care and chair of the OLA. “A provincial pesticide law would also protect consumers from unscrupulous lawn care companies that mislead consumers by claiming to provide “organic” lawn care programs when they actually rely on unnecessary—and hazardous chemicals.”
The OLA is concerned that lawn and garden pesticides pose a serious health risk to both children and to pets. Lawn and garden pesticides can contaminate air, soil, groundwater, and surface water supplies.
The misuse of chemical pesticides and fertilizers results in an unhealthy lawn that is highly susceptible to pests and diseases. Organic lawn care creates healthy, fertile soils. Organic lawn care also relies on the selection of appropriate plant species, easing the demand on water resources.
“Ontario residents who want an organic lawn care program should be wary of lawn care companies looking to take advantage of people who care about their health and the environment,” said MacKenzie. “Individuals should do their homework before they sign a contract with a lawn care company to ensure that they are in fact receiving a chemical-free lawn care program.” Until the Ontario government introduces a pesticide law, the OLA urges Ontario consumers to be aware of the following deceptive marketing techniques used by some lawn care companies:“We only spot treat with pesticides if absolutely necessary.”
Ask the lawn care company if they use imidacloprid, commonly known as Merit®, a chemical used to control grubs. Lawn care companies spray an entire property with Merit®, even though grubs are not present. Nematodes are an effective organic solution to a grub infestation. Merit® is suspected of being toxic to worms, birds, and honeybees. “We use an organic-(based) fertilizer.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the sale of fertilizers. The CFIA permits fertilizers to be marketed as “organic-based” if contains just 15% of organic source material. Many lawn care companies use fertilizers that contain exactly this minimum content of organic source material. However, only fertilizer programs that contain 100% organic source material can actually be called “organic”. “Pesticides are safe. Health Canada says so.”
Health Canada’s Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) approves all pesticides sold in Canada. Pesticides undergo a risk assessment process under various conditions and they must be applied according to label instructions. Despite this warning, numerous scientific studies show that chemical lawn care products continue to pose serious risks to the environment and to human health. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of pesticides. The PMRA’s own directive (DIR99-02) states the following: Under the PCPA and Regulations, “No person shall package, label or advertise any control product in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.”It is an offence to advertise a product in a manner that is inconsistent with the label. For example, the uses indicated on the promotional material must be consistent with those on the registered label.• Advertising must not be in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create erroneous impressions regarding the character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety of the control product…. • Advertising must not contain words stating, implying or inferring that a control product is approved, accepted or recommended by the Government of Canada or by any of its departments or agencies.”When hiring a lawn care company, consumers should also heed the words of Canada’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, who found that the “federal government is not managing pesticides effectively…The PMRA can give only limited assurance that pesticides approved meets today’s standards…All pesticides re-evaluated to date were found to pose significant health or environmental risks, at least for some uses” (Managing the Safety and Accessibility of Pesticides, 2005, www.oag.bvg.gc.ca).Hiring truly organic landscapers and lawn care service suppliers will provide good results while protecting human and environmental health. OLA is a non-profit trade association committed to the promotion and development of organic horticulture. Organic lawn care works towards a more sustainable way of living. For answers to questions about organic lawn care, please go to www.organiclandscape.org.For more information contact:
Mark MacKenzie
Chair, OLA
Tel: 613-852-2371
mark@appleseedlawn.com Frank Reddick
OLA Board Member
Tel: 705-812-1363 | | |
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| | NEW WEBSITE TO TACKLE MISINFORMATION | | | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2006NEW WEBSITE OFFERS REFERRALS TO 100% ORGANIC LANDSCAPING AND LAWNCARE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND HELPS PUBLIC MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE! (TORONTO) In response to the overwhelming proliferation of misinformation about organic landscaping and lawn care practices, the Organic Landscape Alliance has launched its new website, providing the public with a credible source of industry information. The website www.organiclandscape.org includes:- Referrals to 100% organic landscape and lawn care service providers and supplies
- Factsheets on organic lawn care and landscaping available for download
- Information on organic standards development
- Information on strategic issues including; campaigns to stop the proliferation of misinformation
- Newsletters and Events
- Members only discussion forum
- Links and much more!
In recognizing the value of community building and information sharing, OLA has included a members section with a discussion board to provide the latest information to its members and help facilitate interaction, networking and community building.“We are very excited to launch our new website” says Mark Mackenzie, President of OLA “It provides a one-stop shop for people looking for organic landscaping and lawn care services, especially as municipal by-laws kick in, and people are looking for accurate information” The Organic Landscape Alliance is a non-profit trade association committed to the promotion and development of organic horticulture, whose members provide 100% organic services and products. For help or more information on choosing an organic landscaping and lawn care provider in your area, contact the Organic Landscape Alliance at 1-866-824-7685, info@organiclandscape.org , or visit www.organiclandscape.org For more information:
1.866.824.7685
info@organiclandscape.org | | |
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| | ORGANIC LANDSCAPE ALLIANCE OFFERS ALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDE BY-LAW WARNINGS, FINES | | | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2005(Toronto) Toronto residents should be aware that, although it is now illegal to use pesticides on lawns and gardens, there are companies that offer non-chemical lawn care, according to the Organic Landscaping Association. OLA is non-profit trade association committed to the promotion and development of organic horticulture.
Warnings from bylaw officers to homeowners whose lawn care companies use pesticides chemicals have drawn criticism from the companies.
"Bylaw officers are telling homeowners that pesticide use is illegal. Organic landscapers want homeowners to know that pesticide use is unnecessary," said Mark Mackenzie, president of the Organic Landscape Alliance
The Toronto pesticide bylaw prohibits the use of pesticides for non-essential residential applications. Penalties for using pesticides are gradually being phased in to allow for public awareness of the bylaw. Warnings will be issued during the summer, and fines in September.
Many homeowners and companies already use organic methods to take care of lawns and landscaped areas. How-to information is available from many sources, including the City of Toronto. Making the transition off chemicals can be a challenge, and requires special attention to building healthy soil with natural fertilizers. OLA members offer 100% organic services to thousands of clients in Ontario and offers information and references for choosing an organic lawn care company.
"Most people would not knowingly break the law," said Mackenzie. "Ask a few key questions and be sure the company you hire doesn't use chemical pesticides." Companies that make false claims regarding their products or services can be prosecuted and fined by the Federal Competition Bureau, which has issued specific guidelines regarding lawn care. Businesses and consumers who believe they have been misled should contact the Bureau toll free at 1-800-348-5358 or visit the Bureau's Web site at www.cb-bc.gc.ca
For more information:
Mark Mackenzie: 613-852-2371
Angela Rickman: 613-241-1839, 613-859-5701
The Organic Landscape Alliance can be reached toll-free at 1 866 824 7685 | | |
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