The Edge January/February 2026

BECOME AN ADVOCACY AMBASSADOR Once you are informed, you need to become engaged. Bray says one of the best ways to get involved is to join the new Advocacy Ambassador program (read more about this program on page 18).

IDENTIFYING INDUSTRY ISSUES NALP’s government relations team takes their marching orders from the member led Government Affairs Council. Each January, the GAC gathers to review and update their strategic plan for the year, ranking issues by priority level from tier one to tier three. “Tier one issues are issues that we have to make a priority, and we have to have a leadership role, because if we don’t do it, nobody else will,” Bray says. “There will be a vacuum. Tier two issues are issues that are important to us, but likely we’re going to be working, not maybe as the lead of a coalition, but working within a coalition to affect the result or outcomes on those issues. Tier three issues are issues that we just monitor and provide information to our members.” Bray says certain industry issues may move up or down the tier ranking de pending on the year. For instance, water management has moved up to a tier one ranking this year. “We work in an ever-changing government relations space, and I use COVID as an example,” Bray says. “In 2020, COVID was not even on our strategic plan. But by March 15, it was our top tier one because it was so important and impactful. I always want to make sure people understand that we’re a dynamic department, always ready to move and protect the industry when things are occurring in the policy realm.” Bray says NALP’s policy efforts have evolved with the expansion of the gov ernment affairs team. “The future of NALP’s government relations is really how we build out our bench of people who are engaged,”

Bray says. “NALP’s true strength in the advocacy arena is not throwing money into another lobbyist; our strength is the number of people we have in the industry. The better we harness that, the more impactful we can be. That’s where we want to get to in the next five years.” SUBSCRIBE TO THE ADVOCATE Bray says the first step to advocacy is to be informed. This includes paying attention to what is going on in your local government as well as the state and federal levels. “Being informed is really simple,” Bray says. “Sign up to get The Advocate. Read stories that go on The Edge that are related to advocacy. That’s step one.” The Advocate is NALP’s member-ex clusive newsletter that provides updates on federal and state-level issues as well as action items when member voices are needed. BE IN THE KNOW Subscribe to our weekly government affairs newsletter, The Advocate at landscape professionals.org/ advocate

“I want five to 10 ambassadors in every single state throughout the nation who are actively engaged, are comfortable going and talking to their legislators, are proactively reaching out to legislators  Government Affairs Council Members

■ Chris Lee, Osprey Landscape Group ■ Tim Maloney, Irrigation By Design ■ Eric Miltner, Allied Nutrients ■ Clare Munie, Munie Greencare Professionals ■ Mark Platt, MMC Land Management ■ Tim Portland, Yellowstone Landscape ■ Aaron Samson, Lush Lawn ■ Erika Schoenberger, The Davey Tree Expert Company ■ Chris Senske, Senske Services ■ Brandon Sheppard, Weed Man ■ Christopher St. Marie, The Davey Tree Company ■ Chris Ternet, Stanley Black & Decker ■ Chase Tew, John Deere ■ Vince Torchia, The Grow Group

■ Keven Stratton, Stratton Landscape Group – Chair ■ TJ Ashachik, Envu ■ Joseph Barnes, Yellowstone Landscape ■ Christine Bedi, Mariani Premier Group ■ Pierre Bridger, Vibrant Outdoors ■ Nick Brummel, Landscape Workshop ■ Mike Caprio, Nufarm ■ Lyle Croy, Croy’s Mowing, Ltd. ■ Cam Cundiff, Weed Man ■ Jeff Fedorchak, TruGreen ■ Adam Flint, Pacific Landscape Management ■ Suzanne Graham, Massey Services, Inc. ■ Jon Gohl, Aspire Software ■ Mark Kelbacher, Mission Green Services ■ Jeff Kolbe, Spring-Green Lawn Care ■ Brad Leahy, Blades of Green

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