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California State Capitol |
California State Capitol sans
Green Industry Contributions
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GET
THE PICTURE?
SACRAMENTO,
CA- March 22, 2006 -This first week of spring,
the California Green Industry Council (CGIC) reminds California
that the Green Industry sustains the state’s natural splendor
while enhancing its environment and economy. Sacramento County
boasts 14
Regional Parks Districts and more than six million trees, including
those in Capitol Park. This
lush “greenscape” is maintained by representatives of a multi-billion
dollar industry that seemingly goes unnoticed. The
landscapes and lawns made possible by California’s Green Industry are on
display every day, but are obvious only in their absence. As
spring unfolds, compare the photos above and think about the
California State Capitol without the benefits of the green industry.
Environment
On
average, grassy areas are 25 percent cooler than areas with
hard surfaces. A 100 degree day on a grassy Capitol lawn would
skyrocket to 125 degrees if replaced by concrete or macadam. Trees,
shrubs and plants help slow the flow of stormwater to sewers
and drains. Roots help to filter trash, oil and other particulates
that accumulate on city roads and roofs. Plants and trees maintained
by Green Industry professionals are essential to the optimum
performance of urban water management systems.
Additionally,
trees and plants help improve air quality and muffle the sounds
of
everyday life. As part of the ecosystem,
green industry contributions provide habitat for all kinds of
birds, squirrels, reptiles and insects. The absence of green
industry contributions would greatly impact air quality, increase
pest threats in neighboring homes and offices and damage the
environment.
Economy
Keeping
Capitol Park beautiful entails the full time employment of
over a dozen individuals and thousands more are employed around
the state. According to a report
to the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Committee, “Economic
Impacts of the Green Industry in the United States” in
2002 California’s environmental horticultural industry had
an economic impact of $20.3 billion in output (adjusted to
2004 dollars) and 253,977 in jobs. Should
the Green Industry face drastic cutbacks due to regulatory
or legislative
restrictions, it would be impossible to overlook the correlating
loss of sales and salary revenue.
This
first week of spring, the CGIC reminds all of California to
appreciate
their
natural surroundings and not take the green
for granted. Enjoy the lawns and landscaping so meticulously
maintained by Green Industry professionals. California would
be far less lovely and livable without them.
About CGIC
The
California Green Industry Council (CGIC) represents the manufacturers,
suppliers and maintainers of this
state’s Green Industry. This multi-billion dollar industry employs
over 250,000 Californians who provide for a more beautiful and
healthy environment in every single legislative district.
The
CGIC professionals include sod producers, nurserymen, pest
control advisers, pesticide applicators, landscape
contractors, irrigation experts, consultants, landscape architects,
golf course superintendents, fertilizer and compost manufacturers
and many others. Many of the professionals in the ‘green industry’ are
required to have state licensing and certification and/or have
professionally managed certification programs.
The
CGIC member organizations all contribute to making California
a
beautiful and thriving
state. To help promote the contributions
and benefits of the Green Industry, CGIC developed and distributes
three educational brochures. The Economic Impact of the California
Green Industry; Landscape—An Investment in California’s
Communities and The Environmental Benefits of the Landscape—Our
Green Urban Ecosystem Today outline specific economic and
environmental contributions made possible by California’s green
industry professionals. All titles are available in electronic
format from www.cgic.org
Members Organizations Represented by CGIC:
California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA)
California
Association of Nurseries & Garden Centers (CANGC)
California Golf Course Superintendents Association (CGCSA)
California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA)
California
Landscape & Irrigation
Council (CLIC)
California Sod Producers Association (CSPA)
Council for a Green Environment
Irrigation Association (IA)
Northern
California Turfgrass & Landscape Council (NCTLC)
Pesticide Applicators Professional Association (PAPA)
Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE)
Western Plant Health Association (WPHA)
