The Edge January/February 2026

î COVER STORY

“For far too long, non functional turf has been

It will also promote water-efficient landscape practices, responsible water use, environmental stewardship and the inherent value of healthy green spaces. By addressing common myths, providing alternative solutions to water conserva tion and conveying the inherent value of healthy green spaces, HGSC will advocate for the industry as a whole with policymakers. Bray says NALP will be using the coa lition to talk to people who are making policy decisions on water management. “We hope it will be a tremendous asset as we begin debates at state capitals around the country this coming legislative session,” Bray says. One way to support the coalition is to spread the facts and information avail able at greenspacescoalition.org. DONATE TO THE PAC Lastly, you can also support advocacy efforts by donating to the NALP Political Action Center. The NALP-PAC helps to provide a cohesive and unified message of who our members are and what we represent. Members can donate to the PAC throughout the year or at specific fundraising events held during ELEVATE and Leaders Forum. “When you give to the PAC, it gives NALP the ability to attend events and build relationships and strengthen those relationships that hopefully result in beneficial policy outcomes,” Bray says. members, and other like minded trade associations at the federal and state level who want to come together and really present a different story about the importance of landscapes and how we can efficiently use water with better technology.” - Andrew Bray, NALP senior vice president of government relations and membership demonized. Green spaces have been demonized. ‘It’s sucking up too much water.’ We are taking a proactive approach, pulling in academia, supplier

Another advocacy event NALP hosts is the annual EPA Field Trip. This is a day where NALP hosts federal regulators from the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Pro grams, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Office of Pest Management Programs at the USDA and educates them on the lawn care industry. These types of events help foster relationships and provide regulators with a better understanding of how the industry operates. A new advocacy effort in response to the tier one issue of water management is the formation of the Healthy Green Spaces Coalition. Bray says the Healthy Green Spaces Coalition is NALP’s effort to change the narrative around water use and landscapes. “For far too long, non-functional turf has been demonized,”Bray says. “Green spaces have been demonized. ‘It’s sucking up too much water.’We are taking a proactive approach, pulling in academia, supplier members, and other like-minded trade associations at the federal and state level who want to come together and really present a different story about the impor tance of landscapes and how we can effi ciently use water with better technology.” The coalition will provide sci ence-backed research and expert guidance on the most effective ways to manage water efficiently in landscapes, ensuring that vital green spaces contin ue to deliver significant environmental benefits. JOIN THE HEALTHY GREEN SPACES COALITION

with NALP assistance, and really are an extension of the government relations team,” Bray says. Advocacy Ambassadors receive access to exclusive training, resources, and opportunities to connect with indus try leaders and decision-makers. This program allows landscape professionals to tell their stories and influence policies being introduced at the state and federal levels. PARTICIPATE IN FLY-INS AND OTHER ADVOCACY EVENTS Another way to get involved is to attend NALP’s various fly-in events to speak with legislators about different issues, such as H-2B. Fly-in attendees have the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and their staff and convey the importance of maintaining the 64,716 additional visas and ensuring that the timing of their release is consistent. These fly-ins are timed to take place when they are most effective.

22 The Edge // January/February 2026