ANLA Looks to Merge with Professional Landcare Network

The American Nursery and Landscape Association and the Professional Landcare Network are considering a merger that, if undertaken, would mark the second major unification of green industry associations in recent years.

The American Nursery and Landscape Association and the Professional Landcare Network are considering a merger that, if undertaken, would mark the second major unification of green industry associations in recent years.

The announcement by both organizations reportedly comes following seven months of discussions by a joint task force of volunteers from both groups.

"With all the challenges and opportunities facing the green industry, it makes sense for our national associations to be working smarter, not harder," said Peter Orum, president of the ANLA. "Bringing these two leading associations together would dramatically increase the industry’s lobbying profile in Washington, D.C."

If joined, the resulting national organization would have more than 6,000 members, a staff of 48 and annual revenues of more than $9 million.

The groups report their current memberships have limited overlap, with about 150 companies—mainly in the landscape design/build sector—holding membership in both.

These plans follow not long after the merger of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America to form the Professional Landcare Network.

"When PLANET was formed in 2004, our leadership hoped that it would be the first step in a process to expand the scope and capabilities of a single, larger national association for the industry," said Dan Foley, PLANET president.

The ANLA’s and PLANET’s boards of directors have signed a letter of intent to merge. The ANLA Senate, the group’s delegate body, must grant its approval before the deal goes forward. If this occurs at the body’s July meeting, a more formal evaluation of the plan will begin, with a final vote potentially occurring sometime in the fall.

The merger would take place in 2006.

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ANLA Looks to Merge with Professional Landcare Network

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