President ’ s Message
President ’ s Message
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Karen Kerr , MCLP Harrison McPhee , Inc ., Millis , MA
VICE PRESIDENT Chris Connors , MCLP D . Schumacher Landscape , West Bridgewater , MA
SECRETARY / TREASURER Andy McDuff , MCLP Landscape America , Inc ., Wrentham , MA
DIRECTOR
Miriam Hellweg , MCLP A Blade of Grass , Sudbury , MA
PAST PRESIDENT Brian Churchill , MCLP , CSP The GroundsKeeper , Inc ., Ashland , MA
EDUCATIONAL ADVISOR Mike Davidsohn , MCLP UMASS / Stockbridge Landscape Contracting Program Amherst , MA
MANAGEMENT TEAM M . Virginia Wood Peggy Benjamin Kristen Dreyer Carrie Martin Charissa Sharkey
MLP NEWSLINE is a publication of the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals , Inc .
MLP NEWSLINE is published four times a year for the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals ( MLP ) 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 . MLP is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to communications between its membership and the industry . MLP believes the information in this publication to be accurate as of its publication date and is not responsible for inadvertent errors . The MLP and Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional ( MCLP ) logos are trademarks of the Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals , Inc . Qualified MLP members and certified members only are permitted to utilize the logo . Logos for MLP and MCLP are available through the MLP office .
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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 MLP .
Hello MLP Members ,
At Harrison McPhee , Inc . we get a lot of questions about sustainable practices , as I ’ m sure you do too . In our recent client newsletter , we broke down the buzzwords with a quick guide to the basics of the new eco-language .
When it comes to the landscape , the term Sustainable generally refers to the concept of “ do no harm ”. It includes practices that maintain an environment without causing more damage to the ecosystem . In a nutshell , they maintain the status quo . When compared to harmful and degenerative practices like large chemical inputs , mass deforestation , planting monocrops , etc ., sustainability is a fundamental step in eco-conscious living .
If we take this concept one step further and utilize Regenerative practices , we can repair damage and restore our landscape . Regenerative landscaping implies that we are moving beyond “ do no harm ” and are actually rebuilding it , improving it , increasing its resilience to stressors , and encouraging it to thrive – all while considering the effects our actions have on the greater ecosystem .
At MLP , we will continue to emphasize the critical importance of sustainable AND regenerative practices in the landscape . Every step of progress is a step in the right direction for our planet .
I ’ ll see you at Fall Field Day !
Karen L . Kerr , MCLP President
Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals 67 West Street • Medfield , MA 02052 phone : 508.653.3373 info @ mlp-mclp . org • MLP-MCLP . org
MLP Newsline | Summer 2023 3