The Edge January/February 2026

î COVER STORY STRONGER TOGETHER: How NALP Relentlessly Advocates for the Industry By Jill Odom

RELENTLESS ADVOCACY IS ONE OF THE CORE initiatives for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. “We are the only national trade organization representing the entire landscape industry,” says Andrew Bray, NALP senior vice president of government relations and membership. “What is happening on Capitol Hill, especially in times like now, is moving at a very, very rapid pace, and decisions are being made that can both benefit the industry or harm the industry. If we’re not there telling our story and representing our industry, nobody else will.” NALP works at the local, state and federal levels to advocate for positive policy outcomes. Every day, the NALP government affairs team is tracking legislation and regulations that could impact the industry. “I think the other thing that people might not realize is the amount of time and effort we put into building relationships with like-minded industries or ecosystems that can amplify our voice,” Bray says. “People don’t see that. They see results, but they don’t realize we wouldn’t have gotten that result had we not brought in the Chamber of Commerce or CropLife America or the American Hotel and Lodging Association to help with issues that are really important.”

20 The Edge // January/February 2026