SafeLawns coalition will rally in D.C.
Organic lawn care proponents will rally on the Nat'l. Mall in Washington, D.C., on April 4. The event, spearheaded by SafeLawns Foundation, will kick off a campaign to change lawn-care practices. Speakers will push for elimination of lawn pesticides on the grounds of businesses, universities, schools and day-care facilities. The Safe Lawns Certification Program, a program to inform homebuyers of properties with organic lawns, will also be introduced. "Our mission is to show people that you can have that nice lawn without the toxic and wasteful side effects," said Cameron Bonsey, SafeLawns.org director of development.

Tree conservation is hot topic
With Arbor Day (April 27) quickly approaching, tree conservation is a hot topic. Members of the green industry are spearheading efforts to plant and salvage trees.
• 'Trees are Cool' launches. Bailey Nurseries
• Trees get second chance. Statesman Journal
• Retail involvement. Nat.'l Arbor Day Foundation

San Francisco bans plastic sacks
San Francisco will become the 1st major city to ban petroleum-based plastic bags, according to a report in USA Today. The ban takes effect in 6 months for chain grocery stores and 1 year for larger drugstores only. These retailers will have to offer biodegradable plastic bags or recyclable paper bags. A spokesman for Calif. Grocers Assoc. told the paper some stores may only offer paper bags, due to the high cost of biodegradable plastic bags.

Extensive dollar coin use unlikely
A report from Washington Post questions whether consumers will embrace the latest round of dollar coins. The author cites statistics from Coinstar, the nation's largest self-service coin-counting machine company, showing dollar coins make up less than 1% of the $2.6 billion processed last year. Many Americans consider the coins collectors' items, rather than standard currency. Other consumers don't want to be burdened with coins at all, preferring cashless transactions.

ANLA Roadshow will tour Seattle
The 2007 ANLA Retail Roadshow will visit garden centers in Seattle, June 20-24. Stops include Flower World Inc., Molbak's, Swansons Nursery, Watson's Greenhouse & Nursery, Wells Medina Nursery and Wight's Home & Garden. Visitors will also tour Nordstrom, Pike Place Fish Market and Ikea. Cost for ANLA members is $495 per attendee. Early registration ends May 15.

Minneapolis hosts GCA retail tour
GCA members will tour Minneapolis-area garden centers June 24-27. Stops include Bachman's, Gerten's Garden Center, Highland Nursery, Linder's Garden Center, Otten Brothers and Tangletown Gardens. Participants will also visit Bailey Nurseries. Cost for GCA members is $550 per attendee; $750 for nonmembers. Early registration ends June 2.

View from a blog
Challenges for Earth-friendly garden centers. Open Register.

Worth a visit
Learn to grow Oso Easy roses, a collection of no-spray, no-fuss, worry-free plants. Only on GreenBeam.com.