CNLA Delivers Full Day of Leadership, Learning, and Industry Recognition

The Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds team was a big winner at the inaugural CNLA Awards of Business Excellence, taking home the Innovative Business and Green for Life Industry Awards.

On February 3 at Hockley Valley near Orangeville, Ontario, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association hosted three concurrent events as part of the winter meetings of its Board of Directors: the Emerging Leaders Forum, the Leadership Summit, and the debut CNLA Awards of Business Excellence. Together, the events highlighted leadership development, innovation, and excellence across Canada’s green industry.

Emerging Leaders Forum grows the next generation of green professionals

At the Emerging Leaders Forum on February 3, Breanna Beck delivered an engaging keynote focused on communication and conflict management, two leadership skills often assumed but rarely taught. Drawing on her experiences as an educator, landscape construction supervisor, and former national athlete, Beck explained how miscommunication is often at the root of a workplace conflict.

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place,” she said, noting how assumptions and unclear expectations can quickly erode trust within teams. Beck highlighted the importance of active listening, clarity, feedback, and that communication must be intentional and is best deployed in multiple ways: verbal, written, visual, and non-verbal.

And when conflicts occur, they should not be avoided. When handled effectively, resolved conflicts can drive innovation and stronger collaboration.

“Effective leaders do not avoid, repeat, repress or deny conflict,” she said. Address the issues openly, identify the root causes, and follow up to ensure lasting solutions.

Following the keynote, participants broke into facilitated roundtable discussions that explored career pathways, leadership challenges, and professional growth across the landscape and horticulture sector. Conversations ranged from pursuing green careers as students to navigating intergenerational workplaces and taking the next step in professional development.

Several groups emphasized that while technical knowledge can be gained over time, professionalism, communication skills, and adaptability are critical to long-term success. Mentorship emerged as a recurring theme, with participants highlighting the value of learning from experienced leaders while creating space for patience, training, and shared accountability across teams.

A candid panel discussion concluded the Emerging Leader Forum on February 3. Pictured from left: Kelsey White from Turf Systems, Nick Winkelmolen from Winkelmolen Nursery, Alexander Godfrey from Lakeland Plant World, Sean Christie from Rugged Earth Landscaping, and Andy Walker from Andy’s Lawn and Landscape.

The finale of the Forum was a candid panel discussion featuring leaders from across the landscape and nursery sectors: Andy Walker from Andy’s Lawn and Landscape in Burlington, Ontario, Sean Christie, owner of Rugged Earth Landscaping in Muskoka, Ontario, Alexander Godfrey from Lakeland Plant World near Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Nick Winkelmolen from Winkelmolen Nursery in Lynden, Ontario. Moderated by Kelsey White from Turf Systems, the conversation explored career paths, leadership styles, growth challenges, and the pursuit of a work-life balance.

Each panellist shared a unique entry point into the industry. Walker traced his start back to age 12, when he mowed his neighbour’s lawn for $20. He enjoyed the cashflow and relative ease of the work. He registered his business as soon as he could at age 15 and the company has grown every year.

Christie described a series of closed doors in teaching that led him to entrepreneurship, finding a way to convert his passion into something that could one day help him buy a house. He added that the secret to growing the business was learning from failure, attending industry events, and finding inspiration from seeing winning projects at the Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence.

Godfrey reflected on a two-year journey to the United Kingdom, saying his time abroad working at Barton Grange Garden Centre was transformative: “Going away and getting that experience was something that I’ll remember forever.”

Winkelmolen reached the conclusion while in school for engineering that this wasn’t the career path he wanted to pursue, coming to the realization that he’d rather be outside and to be a farmer.

When asked about leadership styles, responses ranged from Walker’s “hands-on” approach to Christie’s “gradual release,” built on trust and delegation. Godfrey emphasized culture, a “positive vibe, a lot of energy motivating,” while Winkelmolen described needing to take a step back from micromanagement.

“My dad was very much a micromanager, so I have tried to get away from that as much as I can,” Winkelmolen said. “I will never be able to get away from that completely because, you know, I learned from him. But it's very much stepping back to some extent and letting people take the lead.”

Discussion of growth revealed shared constraints, including workforce shortages, land costs, regulatory hurdles, and long production timelines.

“Muskoka has a really, really hard time finding a skilled workforce,” Christie said, adding that closures of college campuses in Orilia and Bracebridge are adding to staffing challenges.

The challenge for growth at his garden centre out east, Godfrey said, is the years-long headache that’s been the permitting process, which is impeding on new renovations.

A theme emerged throughout the discussion that the people behind a business matter most. Godfrey said that building an environment that drives higher employee retention frees up time to focus on the big picture.

As Walker summed up, “Surround yourself with good people.”

‍

Leadership Summit: mental health, technology, and the human side of leadership

Gerry “The Recovering Farmer” Friesen encouraged leaders to recognize the impact of stress on themselves and their teams, and to create environments that support open conversations about mental health.

The Leadership Summit brought together industry leaders to explore the interconnected themes of well-being, technology, and people-centred decision-making. Emceed by Landscape Ontario Executive Director Joe Salemi, the summit featured presentations from Gerry Friesen, Peter Guinane, and Jason Maraschiello, each offering a distinct perspective on the evolving demands of leadership in the green industry.

Gerry Friesen, also known as The Recovering Farmer, opened the session by drawing on his background in agriculture to speak candidly about mental health, resilience, and the pressures faced by business owners and leaders. Friesen emphasized the importance of self-awareness and emotional well-being, particularly in industries shaped by seasonality, labour challenges, and external stressors beyond one’s control. He encouraged leaders to recognize the impact of stress on themselves and their teams, and to create environments that support open conversations about mental health.

Peter Guinane from Knowledge Tree Consulting followed with a forward-looking presentation focused on artificial intelligence and its growing influence on business and leadership. Guinane explored how AI is reshaping decision-making, productivity, and communication, challenging leaders to engage with technology proactively rather than reactively. He emphasized the importance of understanding both the opportunities and limitations of AI, noting that while technology can enhance efficiency and insight, it cannot replace human judgment, values, or relationships. His talk encouraged leaders to think critically about how AI can support their organizations without defining it.

Closing the summit, Jason Maraschiello brought the conversation back to the practical realities of leading teams. Drawing from his experience in business leadership, he focused on accountability, communication, and empowering people at every level of an organization. Maraschiello highlighted that leadership is demonstrated daily through actions, consistency, and the ability to support others' growth.

Throughout the session, Salemi guided the discussion and connected shared themes across all three presentations, explaining how effective leadership in the horticulture and landscape sector requires a balance between innovation and empathy, performance and well-being, and technology and human connection.

‍

Debut CNLA Awards of Business Excellence celebrates leaders and innovation across the sector

The 2026 CNLA Awards of Business Excellence recognized outstanding Canadian companies and individuals who continue to raise the bar for professionalism, leadership, and innovation across the nursery and landscape sector. Presented at the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s winter meetings, the awards highlight excellence in business practices, sustainability, creativity, community impact, and long-term industry contributions.

The Best Business Practices Award was presented to Atkinson Landscaping in Surrey, British Columbia, for its strong management approach, employee retention, and long-standing client relationships. The close-knit team delivers reliable, high-quality services across both maintenance and project divisions while fostering a culture that values hard work and rewards staff.

The Most Innovative Business Award went to Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, a national leader in nature-based play and learning environments. With more than 4,500 projects completed over three decades, the company has redefined how communities engage with outdoor spaces. The Green for Life: Industry Award also went to Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, acknowledging its global influence and mission to connect one million people to nature every day by 2030.

Sheldon Ridout from The Silent Gardener in Westminster, BC, wins the Sustainable Solutions Award. He tells the audience that he’s always available to share tips and advice on the path he took to change all of his company’s vehicles and equipment to be 100% electric.

The Sustainable Solutions Award recognized The Silent Gardener in Westminster, British Columbia, for its commitment to quiet, full-service landscaping using exclusively battery-powered equipment and vehicles.

The Outstanding Volunteer Award honoured Guy Dowhy, RSE, CLHT, CLHM, owner of Dowhy Designs and Landscapes and Manitoba’s CNLA board representative, for his longstanding dedication, leadership, and service to the association.

The Emerging Leader Award was presented to Matthew Bell of Geller’s Design | Build | Landscape in Winnipeg, Manitoba, recognized for fostering a strong team culture and delivering award-winning design-build projects.

The Landscaper of Distinction Award was awarded to Para Space Landscaping in Vancouver, British Columbia, for exceptional growth, employee development, and industry leadership.

David Endacott and Matt Atkinson from Atkinson Landscaping in Surrey, BC, thank the audience of about 100 upon receiving the Best Business Practices Award.

NVK Nurseries received the Grower of Distinction Award, recognizing the Dundas, Ontario nursery grower’s strong focus on consistency, customer service, and supporting landscape professionals and garden centres with reliable products.

Connon Nurseries earned the Garden Centre of Distinction Award, reflecting its innovative retail expansion through their seven The Branch pop-up locations opened across the Greater Toronto Area in 2025, as well as their continued commitment to customer experience.

“The 2026 award recipients reflect the strength, creativity, and professionalism of Canada’s horticulture and landscape industry,” said CNLA President Anita Heuver. “Their achievements set a powerful example and help move our industry forward.”