Los Angeles pledges 1 million trees
Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa launched the Million Trees Initiative this summer. He wants Los Angeles residents, businesses and city departments to plant 1 million trees during the next several years. The city distributed free seedlings and 5-gallon trees Sept. 30. The city partnered with nonprofit organizations such as TreePeople and L.A. Conservation Corps to continue giving away trees. The initiative is encouraging people to plant 5-gallon or larger trees. The city is asking residents and businesses to plant trees that provide shade, require little water and establish relatively easily, said George Gonzalez, Urban Forestry Division chief forester.
Van Dyke testifies on Farm Bill
Kevin Van Dyke, president of Skinner Nurseries, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., testified before the House Ag. Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture regarding the 2007 Farm Bill. He spoke on a wide range of issues including plant pests and diseases, risk management, research and conservation. "Research is vital to our industry. Our strength as a growing industry is only as strong as the commitment to research," Van Dyke said. He spoke strongly on keeping our industry independent. "We are proud that our industry competes in a free market where we strive to meet the needs of our customers and not the dictates of a government program. As an industry, we do not want subsidies."
Oregon officials find Asian gypsy moth
Officials trapped an Asian gypsy moth in a residential area in St. Helens, Ore. This is only the 3rd time that Asian gypsy moth has been found in the state. Officials fear the Asian gypsy moth could be more destructive to Northwest ecosystems than its North American cousin. Unlike the domestic species, Asian gypsy moth females can fly. Ore. Dept. of Ag. checks 19,000 gypsy moth traps annually. The Columbia River area is at greater risk of Asian gypsy moth infestation due to the number of cargo ships from Asia that travel through the region.
Coalition urges comprehensive immigration reform
The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition sent a letter urging Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to support comprehensive immigration reform. The letter says Hastert and Congress need to "deal with the real underlying problem: a dysfunctional immigration system that does not reflect economic reality." EWIC developed the letter in response to quotes from Sens. Frist, John Cornyn, R-Texas, and others who suggest Congress enact immigration enforcement measures aimed at employers.
ANLA, SAF discuss imports with Plant Board
ANLA and Society of American Florists participated in the annual meeting of the Nat'l. Plant Board. At SAF's request, a special meeting was held to discuss the U.S. response to the European Union's new enforcement of regulations prohibiting export of herbaceous plants not coming from a whitefly-free facility to an EU country. As a result of negotiations, the U.S. will send 2 technical experts to Brussels to try to negotiate an interim agreement with the EU.
Worth a visit
Follow along as we take you to Garden Centers of America's Fashion in Bloom on the Eastern Seaboard. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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