Professional Landcare Network
The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) was a professional body for lawn care professionals, landscape management professionals (exterior maintenance contractors), design/build/installation professionals, and interior plantscapers. On April 1, 2015 PLANET became the National Association of Landscape Professionals which represents more than 100,000 landscape industry professionals, mainly in the United States.
History
PLANET was formed 2005-01-01 via a merger of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA, founded 1961) and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA, founded 1979). It was then rebranded and in April, 2015 became the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
Certification Program
Landscape Industry Certified is a broad but powerful distinction for individuals who have taken their experience, skills and desire for excellence to the next level by studying, testing and becoming certified. They stay on top of their game by maintaining their certification every two years through recertification. The International Certification Council administers the certification program for PLANET.
Several certifications are available leading to the Landscape Industry Certified Manager, Technician or a combination of Manager & Technician designations. Lawn and landscape professionals choose between the following:
Landscape contractor business owners or managers should consider the Manager (formerly CLP) designation.
Exterior technicians in softscape installation, hardscape installation, turf maintenance, ornamental maintenance or irrigation should consider the Technician - Exterior (formerly CLT-E) designation.
Interiorscape technicians should consider the Interior Technician (formerly CLT-I) designation.
Green industry professionals looking to expand or reinforce their knowledge of landscape plant life should consider the Horticultural Technician (formerly COLP) designation.
Lawn care professionals wanting a well-rounded foundation in warm- and cool-season turfgrass establishment, growth, maintenance, troubleshooting, and customer relations should consider the Lawn Care Manager (formerly CTP) designation.
Lawn care practitioners looking to underscore their professionalism and commitment to best practices should consider the newest designation, Lawn Care Technician – National (new).
Lawn care professionals focusing on cool season lawns should consider the Lawn Care Technician(formerly CTP-CSL/cool season) designation.
Events
The association hosts a number of public service and educational events throughout the year. These include Day of Service, Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery, Student Career Days (now the National Collegiate Landscape Competition), PLANET Gives Back, as well as hosting the Green Industry Conference (now LANDSCAPES) and participating in GIE+Expo, the landscape industry's largest educational conference and expo.