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The TLE Sustainability Center! 
 New to The Landscape Expo this year, the Sustainability Center will feature sessions geared towards implementing sustainable and efficient practices in your operation. Topics will range from seminars on robotics and battery-powered equipment presented by the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) to understanding turf legislation and designing pollinator-friendly landscapes. A few seminars will also cover the current status of the rebuild after the 2025 L.A. fires and what gaps landscapes can fill, not only in the aftermath, but also in anticipation of future fire events. In addition to seminars, the Sustainability Center will host an authonomous mower demonstration area, featuring the newest models from brand-name manufacturers. Whatever your team's journey on the path to sustainability, you'll find answers and inspiration here! Sometimes, humans try to reinvent the wheel when nature has a perfectly functioning system running right under our noses. Experts like Dane Shota will share how to design resilient, low-maintenance landscapes of all sizes utilizing permaculture practices that take advantage of natural systems while expanding aesthetic possibilities. Kim Chacon, Ph.D. will dive into techniques for building pollinator-friendly gardens that support bees and other pollinators while contributing economic value to the larger landscape. Though the burden of maintaining the ecosystem cannot fall on one landscape alone, strategies relating to permaculture and pollinator-friendly design contribute to a region's overall biodiversity and sustainability while positively adding to the experience of the humans inhabiting these places. Learn how the landscapes under your care can play their part. Kim Chacon and Dane Shota Starting in 2027 for government properties, 2028 for commercial properties, and 2029 for residential communities, the use of potable water will be prohibited in "nonfunctional" turf areas. Not sure if the turf areas in your landscapes are considered "nonfunctional"? Join Krista Guerrero of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to understand the history and intent behind AB 1527 as well as the tools for identifying nonfunctional turf on your properties. You will get the chance to ask detailed questions from one of the agencies that helped develop the 2023 legislation, giving you the tools to ensure your projects are in compliance before the law goes into effect. Krista Guerrero and Brandon Burgess 
Over a year after the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, the rebuilding process is only just beginning, with a large number of properties expected to begin rebuilding toward the end of this year. This is the last chance the landscaping community has to impart establish and newly acquired wisdom regarding firescaping and fire-wise design on a captive general audience. In continuation of the conversations started at last year's conference, the Sustainability Center will host a Future of Landscape Panel featuring local experts from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Building Association (BIA), and Altadena Green who have been intimately involved with the clean-up and rebuilding process. They will share progress updates from their respective disciplines, point out blind spots and cross-industry gaps, celebrate environmental and building wins, and identify the knowledge and skills design, installation, and maintenance professionals need most right now to support their clients in the aftermath of this recent, devastating fire and in anticipation of future fire events. A seminar led by last year's fire panelist Greg Rubin will augment knowledge shared at this year's panel with an in-depth exploration of fire-resistant plants native to California. Whether you design, install, or maintain landscapes, make sure you and your team are well positioned to handle the current rebuild and prevent future catastrophe on the properties under your care. Greg Rubin Elsewhere on the hall floor, you'll have the opportunity to earn CEUs for other sustainability-related topics like conducting irrigation system audits and navigating the world of smart controllers, learning from poor practices in landscape management, and integrating new plants into your landscapes. You can find a seminar for any topic you might want to learn about at The Landscape Expo! 
AGZA – short for the American Green Zone Alliance – has been a constant presence at The Landscape Expo through its founder, Dan Mabe, and the many facilities and manufacturers the company has worked with. This year, that alliance expands, as TLE's Sustainability Center features the AGZA Green Zone. This area will feature AGZA-facilitated seminars covering case studies of facilities that have successfully transitioned to battery-powered equipment, a panel looking at the legislation regarding gas-powered equipment, and a panel reviewing the newest advancements in robotic technology as well as where the field is headed next. Take advantage of face-to-face conversation with the experts in implementing the newest clean technology in the landscaping industry and walk away empowered! Click to Register In the AGZA Green Zone, you will be able to test autonomous equipment from brand-name manufacturers like ECHO and many others. Autonomous mowers of all sizes will show off what they can do in indoor courses while you have the chance to ask their manufacturers questions. Take a look at battery-electric lawn equipment that has been certified under the AGZA Field Tested Certified (AFTC) program or chat with the AGZA team about the steps to turning your facility into an AGZA Certified Green Zone. If your team is considering the switch to autonomous equipment, the Sustainability Center is where you need to be! Since 2007, the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) has worked with superintendents and developers to test and improve battery-powered technology in the grounds maintenance industry. With increased access to autonomous technology, AGZA's Dan Mabe has been studying the developing abilities of robotic mowers and other battery-powered equipment, assessing the extent of their contributions to existing landscaping operations in third-party tests for the opportunity to become AGZA Field Tested Certified (AFTC). Facilities where routine landscape maintenance is performed using low-impact equipment and environmentally responsible practices can work through AGZA's four levels to become a Certified Green Zone. For more information on the AFTC or AGZA Certified Green Zone programs, go to: agza.net. Register for your VIP Conference Package today to attend unlimited seminars and make the most out of the Sustainability Center and your Landscape Expo experience! |