2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Miriam Hellweg, MCLP, MCA A Blade of Grass, Sudbury, MA
VICE PRESIDENT Katie Merrifield, MCLP Merrifield Garden & Design, Wayland, MA
SECRETARY / TREASURER Andy McDuff, MCLP Landscape America, Inc., Wrentham, MA
PAST PRESIDENT Chris Connors, MCLP Grove Street Services Boston, MA
DIRECTORS Mike Landry, MCLP, MCA Riverside Services, Inc. Hopkinton, MA Matt McCoy, MCLP Harrison McPhee, Inc. Millis, MA
MANAGEMENT TEAM
M. Virginia Wood Amy Davis Peggy Benjamin
Carrie Martin Charissa Sharkey
MALP NEWSLINE is a publication of the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals, Inc.
MALP NEWSLINE is published four times a year for the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals( MALP) and is distributed free of charge to members. The purpose of the newsletter is to disseminate information to promote general standards and ethics in landscape contracting, as well as to foster research and share knowledge with its members. MALP is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to communications between its membership and the industry. MALP believes the information in this publication to be accurate as of its publication date and is not responsible for inadvertent errors. The MALP and Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional( MCLP) logos are trademarks of the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals, Inc. Qualified MALP members and certified members only are permitted to utilize the logo. Logos for MALP and MCLP are available through the MALP office.
EDITORIAL Readers are encouraged to submit articles, announcements, review of products, or letters. Address correspondence to the attention of the MALP Newsletter Editor at the address below.
ADVERTISING For advertising rates and information, contact Charissa Sharkey at csharkey @ mvwoodco. com or at the MALP phone number below. Ads may be submitted as high-resolution pdf files. Discounted advertising rates are available to MALP members.
DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the MALP.
Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals 67 West Street • Medfield, MA 02052 phone: 508.653.3373 admin @ mlp-mclp. org • MLP-MCLP. org
PRESIDENT ' S MESSAGE
As the leaves fall, we’ re slowly making our way into the colder months. In preparation, we had a great member meeting on September 30, led by J. P. Sanieski of Perrone Landscaping, who shared methods and tips for being ready to handle whatever winter throws at us.
Looking ahead, we’ re excited for our November 3 Annual Meeting and a presentation by expert arborist, Scott McPhee, MCA on the benefits of dormant-season pruning.
I’ m always grateful to the members and industry professionals who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with our group. And it got me thinking about what the MALP is really about.
We are a community of green industry professionals: landscape contractors, suppliers, educators, and other businesses from throughout Massachusetts, who come together to support and strengthen our industry.
Sometimes that happens simply by getting people in the same room. Our events give us opportunities to make connections, exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build professional relationships that extend well beyond a single meeting.
Education is also at the heart of what we do. Through the MCLP program and educational events throughout the year, we help green industry professionals continue learning and stay current on best practices. And through the Green Industry Alliance and other legislative efforts, we advocate for our industry while working to promote professionalism and high standards throughout Massachusetts.
All of that depends on people choosing to participate.
If you’ ve ever thought about becoming more involved with MALP, we’ d love to hear from you. Maybe you have feedback or an idea to share. Maybe there’ s an area of the industry you’ re passionate about and would be willing to teach others about. Maybe you’ d like to join the MCLP Committee, get involved with our legislative initiatives, or consider serving on the Board.
There are lots of ways to participate, large and small. MALP is strongest when our members bring their knowledge, ideas, questions, and energy to the community, and we’ d love to have more of you involved.
Miriam Hellweg, MCLP, MCA President
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