Senate approves 1-year H-2B exemption
A sought-after 1-year extension of the return guest-worker exemption for the H-2B program passed in the Senate during consideration of an appropriations bill last week..H2B champion Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., was a major advocate for its passage. "Passage in the senate was just the first hurdle in a longer effort to secure this extension," said Corey Connors, ANLA dir. of legislative relations. The return worker exemption, if enacted into law, would increase the number of immigrant workers from the current 66,000 to the larger numbers possible when this exemption was in place in 2005 and 2006. The measure faces a tougher time in the House.

Crimp in H-2B worker supply will hit landscapers
The landscape industry will take a disproportionate hit from inaction on the H-2B program, said Tom Delaney, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) gov't. affairs dir. On Sept. 27, the Dept. of Homeland Security announced that the nationwide cap of 33,000 H-2B workers for the first half of the next fiscal year had been reached. The cap put any further visas on hold until April 1, 2008, when 33,000 visas for the second half of the fiscal year will become available. Virtually no landscape contractors will have access to H-2B workers in the spring, PLANET said in a news release. By law, landscape contractors and other seasonal employers cannot apply to the program until 120 days or less before they need the workers to begin. "The landscape industry will be harder hit than other industries this year," Delaney said.

Chilli thrips attack Florida live oaks
Two weeks ago researchers found chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) "in large numbers" on live oaks in a wholesale nursery in Lake County, Fla. Univ. of Fla. entomologist Lance Osborne said the pests were controlled using Marathon II then Conserve. Chilli thrips have a host range of more than 100 plants, and are extremely difficult to differentiate from other thrips in the field. Severe infestations may result in total defoliation and potentially heavy crop loss.

Society warns against using invasives as decorations
Consumers are being advised against using invasive plant species in their holiday decorations. Tom Smarr, director of hort. at New England Wild Flower Society, said the public should avoid Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) in holiday decorations. "Too often birds carry the fruits right off wreaths and garlands, or the fruits end up in landfills where they resprout," Smarr said. "These plants create severe environmental damage in many parts of the country. They invade open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows and even your own backyard, aggressively killing off whatever plants are nearby. Bittersweet can even kill mature trees." It is illegal to sell bittersweet and multiflora rose in any form (plants or prunings) in Massachusetts.

Conferences focus on sustainable techniques
A pair of upcoming events highlights the increased attention being placed on sustainable landscaping practices: • Ohio State University's Urban Landscape Ecology Program is bringing together national and international experts as part of its Ecological Landscaping Conference, Oct. 28-31 in Cleveland. The event is aimed at researchers, lawn and landscape professionals, landscape architects/designers and builders and policymakers who want to find out more about ways to increase the ecological, social and economic sustainability of urban environments. To register, contact Lisa Miller, (330) 263-3723. • The Environmentally Sustainable Landscaping Symposium, Nov. 29 at New College of Florida, will feature speakers addressing issues such as environmentally sustainable landscaping practices, reducing nutrient runoff from fertilizers and water quality degradation in Florida waterways. The symposium is sponsored by Florikan and Dynamite plant food. To register, contact Cynthia Herleman at (941) 377-8666.

Worth a visit
Attorney Monte Lake discusses implications of the Department of Homeland Security's mismatch letter campaign. Only on GreenBeam.com.

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The ANLA 2008 Management Clinic is coming! February 8-11, 2008 in Louisville, Ken.

Register now! Visit www.midam.org for details. Mid-Am, the Midwest's premier trade show, features hundreds of exhibits, 130+ hours of education, plus much more!