Bid Announcement: RI Forest Invasive Projects

The Rhode Island Natural History Survey Forest Health Works Project (FHWP) will be soliciting bids from contractors in the landscaping, arborist, land clearing, forestry, nursery, and related green industries for invasive plant management projects throughout Rhode Island.

Over $300,000 is available for contracted projects beginning in March 2010 and continuing through spring 2011. Projects will involve the control of invasive plants that threaten forest health on public and private land (e.g. Japanese barberry, mile a minute vine, multiflora rose, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese stiltgrass, garlic mustard, & others).

Bidding is open to contractors in the above industries, with Rhode Island contractors encouraged to bid. In order to bid, at least one person per crew (usually the on-site supervisor/foreman) must demonstrate qualifications / certification in invasive plant management (e.g. CRMC IM, hands on experience, etc.) and meet other requirements (See www.rinhs.org for details).

For more information about projects, bidding & training, attend an informational session: Feb 2nd or Feb 8th at 4:30pm, Weaver Auditorium Coastal Institute Building, URI - Kingston campus. Call 401.874.5807 for more info

RINLA Seeks Permanent Executive Director

The RINLA Board of Directors invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Executive Director. The perfect candidate will have overall responsibility for assisting in leading the organization into its next phase of growth. They will be responsible for developing information organization, the Association’s communications, and overseeing the internal mechanics of the group. If you are interested in this position, please download the position announcement (LINK). The deadline for applications is February 15th, 2010.

RINLA MISSION STATEMENT

The Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association is a professional trade association serving the green industry. RINLA advances the welfare of its members through education, research support, legislative representation, certification, and promotion of the value of green industry goods and services to the public.

Post Jobs and Internships at GreenJobs New England

The URI Department of Plant Sciences has collaborated with RINLA to create an innovative new web application to bring together employers and horticulture or landscape architecture students, and others, looking for Green Industry work or internships. GreenJobsNE.org allows employers to post jobs, internships or volunteer opportunities, and students or others to securely post their contact information and resume. This web site is under development but fully functional, report any problems to Brian Maynard.

Go to GreenJobsNE.org from here.

New RINLA Office Information

Joe Majeika is Interim Executive Director of RINLA.
Telephone: 401-377-9030 or (800)758-9260; Fax: 401-377-7090
Address: 98 Chase Hill Road, Ashaway, RI 02804-2223

Please Donate to the Kenneth Lagerquist-RINLA Horticultural Scholarship

Shortly before Ken passed away, RINLA renamed The Kenneth Lagerquist-RINLA Horticultural Scholarship to recognize permanently the impact that Ken has made on the Nursery Industry in RI and around the country. This account with the URI Foundation (LINK) provides scholarships to students at URI studying Plant Sciences. This Scholarship began in 2007, and with $5,000 in matching funds annually from the URI President we are able to offer four $2,500 scholarships each year. Gifts may be made to the “Kenneth Lagerquist – RINLA Horticultural Scholarship, Account ED99”. For more information contact: Gerri Beagle (email or 401-874-2460) at the URI Foundation.

RI Green Industry Ranked #3 in New England

Findings of a recent study by The New England Nursery Association show that New England’s environmental horticulture industry contributes an estimated $4.7 billion a year to the regional economy, including $354 million to the Rhode Island economy. A major sector of agriculture in Rhode Island, environmental horticulture firms in the state numbered 780 across a wide range of businesses. Reflecting the steady growth of the green industry across the New England region, two-thirds of these businesses (540) reported that they increased their income over the three-year period ended 2007. Among those that saw an increase, individual firms experienced an average 23 percent rise in gross income. Half of environmental horticulture firms in Rhode Island are involved in two or more types of horticultural businesses. The largest sector is the retail sector comprising garden centers and florists, followed by those providing landscape, lawn and tree services. According to the NENA study, the majority of green industry businesses in Rhode Island (75 percent) derive at least of portion of profits from the sale of plants. Half of these firms sell plants grown from start to finish. Download Survey (zipped pdf file)

RINLA & RI•CH – The Best Horticulture Professionals

Always consider hiring a Rhode Island Certified Horticulturist FIRST! Certified Horticulturists have participated voluntarily in a professional program which provides specialized training followed by rigorous testing. RI•CH Professionals must continue their education every year to maintain certification. Click on County & Category to locate certified horticulturists in your area.

Members: contact Joe Majeika (377-8130) for login information. Please Note: These pages will look best if you use the latest versions of IE, FireFox or Safari - click on the browser name to download the latest.

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