When I first got involved with Landscape Ontario over a decade ago, it was because my boss at the time was a true believer. He saw the value in being part of something bigger than his own business and he encouraged me to get involved. I started on the Ottawa Chapter board, then moved to the Provincial Board level and I’ve spent the last eight years participating in this organization from the inside — first as Chapter rep., then treasurer, second vice president and first vice president.
What I’ve learned in those years is this: Landscape Ontario is extraordinarily good at what it does. We bring people together. We deliver education and training. We create a sense of community. We’ve been doing this successfully for over 50 years and our membership numbers prove it.
But the landscape around us is changing fast.
New digital platforms and apps now offer networking, education and peer support — quickly, conveniently, right from your phone. And they’re good at it. South of the border, state associations that once prospered like us are losing members because contractors don’t see a clear reason to belong anymore.
As I prepared to step into my new role as your association president, I kept coming back to the same question: “Why does Landscape Ontario matter in 2026?”
Here’s my answer: Advocacy.
We are the only unified voice this industry has when government comes knocking, or when a municipality writes regulations without consulting the people who actually understand and perform the work, or when procurement rules reward the lowest bid instead of the best outcome. When policies are written by people who’ve never planted a tree or managed the exterior of a property — our unified voice rings out.
No digital platform can do that. Advocacy is what protects us, empowers us and distinguishes us in 2026. That’s our unique value proposition.
Which is why my theme for the next two years is LO 2.0: Our Time to Upgrade.
Our founders built a governance model that served us brilliantly for decades, but we’re running a 2026 organization on a 1973 operating system. The recent requirements under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act forced us to review our bylaws — and that solidified my thinking: if we’re opening things up anyway, let’s do a comprehensive evaluation to make sure our governance enables us to be the advocacy powerhouse this industry deserves.
LO 2.0 isn’t about centralizing power or weakening your voice. It’s about responding quickly to challenges, focusing our volunteer energy on impact rather than process and giving this organization the capacity to advocate effectively.
In 2027, we’re opening a state-of-the-art training facility. That’s world-class hardware. We need governance that’s just as modern, agile and powerful.
I need your input and I’m here to listen. If you have thoughts, questions or ideas about what Landscape Ontario should be in 2026 and beyond, I want to hear them. You can reach me at the email below.
It’s our time to upgrade. Help me make it happen.
Lindsey Ross
LO President
president@lglinc.ca
