EDMONDS NEWS & UPDATES

August 20, 2021

WE ARE HIRING!

Edmonds Landscape is currently looking to expand our family!! We are looking for dedicated team members for our landscape maintenance; employees are also involved in our snow clearing operations in the winter months; therefore, not suitable for students at this time.

We offer:

• Medical, dental, disability health coverage (after standard 3-month probationary period).
• Competitive hourly wages are paid weekly; advertised wage is typical starting range and is based on experience. Starting wage range $15 - 18 per hour based on experience.
• Overtime available in peak seasons.
• Uniform and standard PPE are provided.

Tasks may include:

• Use of grass cutting equipment (trimmers, self propelled hand & walk-behind mowers, ride-on mowers).
• Use of other landscaping equipment (blowers, hedge trimmers, aerators).
• Manual Labour (gardening, pruning, raking, flower planting, shoveling, hand salting, ice chipping, etc).
• Use of winter snow equipment (snow blowers, brine applicators).

If you are:

• Energetic and love working hard in a fast-paced work environment.
• Creative and take pride in a job well done.
• Enthusiastic and prepared for a physically demanding career.
• Dependable and willing to show up to work on time.
• Reliable for on call 24/7 winter snow clearing operations.
• Safety conscious and can pass a drug and alcohol screening test (including marijuana).

Then you are the right fit for us!

10 JUNE, 2021

Flower and Herb Sale TODAY

We currently have flowers, herbs, grasses and tropical plants for sale.

Ranging in price from $4 - $32 HST included.

Sale open this afternoon starting at 1 pm. Due to COVID protocols please phone ahead to arrange an appropriate time to shop.

22 October, 2020

EDMONDS LANDSCAPE & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIMITED selected as Excellence Award Recipient for CANADA'S SAFEST CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYER in Canada's Safest Employers Awards 2020

EDMONDS has been recognized as an Excellence Award Recipient for CANADA'S SAFEST CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYER in the 10th annual Canada's Safest Employers Awards, presented by Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine.

Canada's Safest Employers Awards celebrate companies across the nation for their exceptional safety culture and wellness practices.

"Edmonds is very pleased to have our commitment to safety recognized by Canadian Occupational Safety. Safety is one of our core values and our promise to our customers, our communities, and of course our team. We are also thrilled to be recognized among these excellent companies."

Sarah Edmonds, Senior Manager: Operations Coordination and Customer Relations

About Canadian Occupational Safety

For almost 60 years Canadian Occupational Safety has been the premier publication on occupational health and safety in Canada. In each issue, readers get a compelling mix of practical, informative, high-quality articles to help them in their work as health and safety professionals. Canadian Occupational Safety covers a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards. The print publication is distributed to 14,000 occupational health and safety professionals across Canada.

Contact: Krissy Salvador, Marketing Executive, Key Media krissy.salvador@keymedia.com

2 September, 2020

EDMONDS LANDSCAPE SERVICES RECEIVES OVERALL SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Edmonds Landscape Services announced today that it was recently awarded an Overall Safety Achievement Award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP).

The award, part of NALP's annual Safety Recognition Awards Program honors those companies with thorough, high-performing safety programs that create and maintain safe work environments in the lawn and landscape industry. It is designed to reward lawn and landscape companies that consistently demonstrate their commitment to safety.

Edmonds Landscape Services was evaluated on number of accidents, number of days that employees were away from work, and number of employee injuries and illnesses. In addition, a checklist was used to rate the company's complete safety program.

About NALP

The National Association of Landscape Professionals represents an industry of approximately 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation, and tree care professionals. Through national advocacy campaigns, the association is growing the industry and its workforce. NALP offers its members professional development through education, networking, and training, certification and accreditation programs. For more information about NALP, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

17 April, 2020

Source: Health and Safety: Beware of ticks this season

"Ticks are crawling back into the news and carrying with them the potential for Lyme disease. The number of reported Lyme disease cases in Canada between 2009 and 2016 rose from 144 cases to 992, and the areas where blacklegged ticks are found is growing.

Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that can have severe symptoms but it can be effectively treated with antibiotics if caught early.

While not all blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease, populations of infected blacklegged ticks are growing. This means that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is on the rise across Canada. There are several ways to reduce the risk when spending time working outdoors in areas where there may be ticks. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed and their bites are usually painless, so you may not know you've been bitten. That's why it's important to be on the lookout for ticks and the symptoms of Lyme disease.

Reducing your exposure to tick bites

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Here are some ways to protect yourself if you venture into forests or overgrown areas between the woods and open spaces:

• Wear protective clothing to prevent ticks from attaching to your skin. Wear closed toed shoes, long sleeve shirts that fit tightly around the wrist, and long-legged pants tucked into your socks or boots.
• If possible, avoid contact with low bushes and long grasses. For example, if hiking or walking, walk in the centre of the trail.
• Wear light coloured clothes to make spotting ticks easier.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or Icaridin on your skin and clothing – always read and follow label directions.
• Wash clothes promptly and put them in the dryer with heat to help kill any ticks that may remain.
• Shower or bathe within two hours of being outdoors to wash away loose ticks.
• Do daily “full body” checks for ticks on yourself, your children and pets.

What to do if a blacklegged tick bites you. If you find a tick attached to your skin, make sure you remove it carefully as follows:

• Use clean tweezers, grasp the head as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly straight out.
• Afterwards, wash the bite site with soap and water or disinfect with alcohol hand sanitizer.
• If mouthparts break off, remove them with tweezers or, if you are unable to remove them easily, leave them alone and let the skin heal.

If possible, save the tick that bit you in a clean container or plastic bag and record the date you were bit. Watch out for signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in the subsequent weeks. If you feel unwell, contact your health care provider right away. If you are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, you may require a longer course of antibiotics and experience symptoms that continue more than six months after treatment. If you have saved the tick, bring it to your medical appointment as it may help the doctor.

Source: National Association of Landscape Professionals

To Whom it May Concern:

NALP is the national trade organization representing the $82 billion landscape industry in the United States. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation, and water management. Landscape professionals work daily throughout the Nation servicing homes and businesses to maintain their landscapes, sustain the environment, and take pride in our communities by enhancing and maintaining healthy green spaces.

As a Nation, we are all struggling to combat the rapid transmission of the coronavirus “COVID19,” and we understand and acknowledge that in some instances, drastic steps are being taken, including shutting down businesses deemed non-essential. We are communicating with you today to assure you that landscape services are essential services and must continue during any emergency declaration or quarantine scenario. Landscapers are partners during this critical time in assisting in the protection of public health and public safety. Without the landscape industry conducting these valuable services, we will undoubtedly see increased instances where people may be harmed or become sick from other illnesses compounding our already stretched medical resources. 

Recently, Counties in and around the greater San Francisco metropolitan area enacted a temporary “lockdown.” We anticipate other municipalities and states to take similar precautionary steps. The “lockdown” issued by these counties exempt “essential services,” pertinent for the landscape industry is the below portion of the exemption: 

Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses 

For the foregoing reasons, landscape services should be deemed “essential.”

Landscapers are protectors of public health performing essential treatments to lawns and green spaces to reduce the transmission of dangerous and deadly diseases through pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.

Landscapers protect property and maintain greenspaces that could otherwise jeopardize public safety. Unkept fields and green spaces increase the chance of injuries. Crime rates are increased in areas where green spaces are not maintained. Tree removal is also a critical function of our industry to avoid damaging homes and their families.

Landscapers play a critical role in boosting morale and mental health during a difficult time for our Nation. Without landscape services fields, parks, businesses, and homes will become overgrown and unkept, which can have dramatic psychological effects on the mental and wellbeing of our communities.

Spring is a critical time of year for our industry due to the abundance of growth in the spring that requires prompt maintenance and care. Any halt or delay in landscape services during this time of year only magnifies potential safety problems and become much more difficult to maintain later in the year. 

Lastly, our industry is taking aggressive steps within our organizations to stop the transmission of COVID-19. Because our industry functions outside this greatly reduces the chances to come into contact with other individuals. Within the industry, strong policies are being put in place to maintain social distancing with both clients and within our teams that are working in the field.

We are all in this together, and the Landscape industry stands with our public officials to stop the rapid transmission of COVID-19 while also continuing to perform those essential functions that are necessary within our communities throughout the Nation. 

Sincerely,

Britt Wood, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Landscape Professionals

2 March, 2020

Landscape Labourer (6-8 week TERM - mid-May & June)

Edmonds Landscape is currently looking for TERM labourers!! We are looking for dedicated, short term team members for our landscape gardening and maintenance division. Main focus of these team members will be for our flower planting season.

We offer:

• Competitive hourly wages are paid weekly
• Overtime available in peak seasons
• Uniform and standard PPE are provided

Tasks may include:

• Manual Labour (flower planting, gardening, sweeping, raking, pruning, etc.)
• Use of landscaping equipment (tillers, blowers, hedge trimmers)
• Use of grass cutting equipment (trimmers, self propelled hand & walk-behind mowers, ride-on mowers)

If you are:

• Energetic and love working hard in a fast-paced work environment
• Creative and take pride in a job well done
• Enthusiastic and prepared for a physically demanding career
• Dependable and willing to show up to work on time
• Reliable for on call 24/7 winter snow clearing operations
• Safety conscious and can pass a drug and alcohol screening test (including marijuana)

Then you are the right fit for us!

Please pass along your cover letter and resume for review.
Thank you in advance!

24 July 2019

We are proud to announce that we have been COR Certified by CSNS for our 22nd consecutive year.

From the CSNS website:
"Certificate of Recognition (COR) is a health & safety certification program for organizations in construction and related industries. COR is proof a company's safety program meets nationally established standards outlined by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations. It also meets the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) safety certified criteria."

June 6, 2018 - 5:24pm

Unusual 'killer' spring frost damages crops in fields across the Maritimes

The Canadian Press

The above Headline, from The Canadian Press, is but one of the countless articles talking about the "Junuary" weather we are experiencing, and the ramifications on the Agriculture and Landscape Industries within the Maritimes.

Following an unusually tumultuous winter of freeze and thaw, plants and trees came out of the season confused and slow to unfurl. With the humid weather of last week a considerable flush of growth occurred across the species; forming their fruit sets and flower buds...following which we experienced what Environment Canada states as 'record lows' on Monday, June 4th 2018, and continued frost warnings. These rare downward swings in temperature have resulted in 10% - 100% loss of crops and plant stock in the region, from annual transplants to strawberry farmers to Christmas tree farms and much in-between.

We want to prepare you for the ( likely imminent especially in lower lying areas) discovery of more susceptible plants failure on your properties.

Most prevalent ( beyond anyone's ability to reasonably control ) will be annuals, herbs, vegetable starters and perennials freshly leafed out - going soft, black and unsalvageable. In time you may also notice your ornamental shrubs have fewer flowers, or no flowers this season and the fruit bushes and trees you've regularly enjoyed in previous years bear no fruit. Of any time for growing plants to be worst affected by unexpected frost, June would be the month – as this is when so much of the 'reproductive' growth occurs.

With the extraordinarily stressful winter and the unusual temperature fluctuations of this spring, you can count on us to continue our vigilance as we care for your properties and encourage your landscape, as best we are able, to bounce back from these hardships. 

Our respect and sympathies go out to the growers of the Maritimes and the devastation they have unfortunately experienced.

Looking ahead to warmer days,
Sincerely,
Lisa Gardner

Readers' Choice Awards 2016

The Chronicle Herald

"We have selected Edmonds Landscape as the best landscape company in HRM. We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to our valued clients and friends for this vote of confidence.

Committed to delivering quality results, whether helping our clients manage the risks from Snow and Ice, or maintaining and creating beautiful, functional properties... "Count on us to do our best for you and your property".

SIMA Safety Award

"In acknowledgement of your exceptional safety standards to help protect your employees, clients, and the public each snow season, Congratulations on your 2014-2015 win SIMA Safety Award Commitment to Safety 2013/2014 SIMA Safety Award 'Commitment to Safety' 2014/2015."

Thirty years with the BBB Sarah Edmonds-Gray and Sandy Snide proudly accept a certificate celebrating a 30 year association with the Better Business Bureau of the Atlantic Provinces.

Maritime Business Ethics Award Winner

"This prestigious award helps to illuminate the importance of corporate conscience and responsibility to upholding a fair and honest marketplace, presented to organizations in recognition of their commitment to exceptional standards in relationships to consumers, employees, suppliers, competitors, shareholders, and surrounding communities."

Don MacKinnon, President & CEO, Better Business Bureau for the Atlantic Provinces

Mainstay Safety Award of Excellence

Awarded by the WCB. More information about Mainstay...

Planet Professional Landcare Network

The Planet Professional Landcare Network has presented Edmonds two awards for the year 2010

.: "Overall Safety Achievement Award" and
.: "No Days Away from Work" Safety Recognition award.

Congratulations to Trudy Hiltz!

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is pleased to announce that Trudy Hiltz, following a course of study, has passed the exam achieving the designation "Certified Landscape Manager". CNLA's certification programs have been developed to raise the level of professionalism in the industry and encourage continuing education.

Successful CSP Candidates

Congratulations to Sandy Snide, Vernon Mingo, Mark MacDonald and Sam Edmonds who have achieved the Certified Snow Professional (CSP) designation following a course of study through SIMA, examination and practical experience.

Edmonds is presented the SIMA 2010 "Snow Warrior" Safety award.

Edmonds Nominated for BBB Ethics Award

"Congratulations Edmonds Landscape & Construction Services Limited as one of three finalists of those nominated for the 6th Annual Maritime Business Ethics Award in the category 51 to 100 employees. Some businesses go far beyond the average in maintaining high standards of ethical behavior. They do what is right and fair, without questions and without compromise. The Maritime Business Ethics Awards gives public recognition to these businesses in the Maritime Provinces."
Don MacKinnon, President and CEO, Better Business Bureau Maritimes

"The Pinnacle Award"

presented by Esso/Martin Facility Services Limited for unparalleled commitment to Safety.

Workers' Compensation Board Mainstay Safety Awards.

"Employer Safety Champion (Halifax)" and "Safety Transformation"

NSCSA annual audit scores 98%

Planet Professional Landcare Network

"Overall Safety Achievement Award" Silver Performance level; and,
"No Days Away from work" Safety Recognition award.

Edmonds chosen as one of five top finalists in three categories in the Workers' Compensation Board Mainstay Safety Awards. NSCSA annual Safety audit scores 94%.

Kathryn Tyrell achieves CRSP designation

The management and staff of Edmonds are pleased to announce the designation of Kathryn Tyrrell as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional. This recognition is the result of her completion of the program of study, practical experience and examinations set out by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals. It enhances her role as Senior Health and Safety Officer and overall coordinator of Edmonds award winning safety program.

Planet Professional Landcare Network

"Overall Safety Achievement Award" Silver Performance level; and, "No Days Away from work" Safety recognition award.

Sima

"Commitment to Safety" award.

NSCSA Annual Safety audit scores 96%

Planet Professional Landcare Network

"Overall Safety Achievement Award" Gold Performance level; and, "No Vehicle Accidents" Safety Recognition award.

Sima

"Commitment to Safety" award.

Landscape Trades, Canada's Premier Horticultural Trade Publication "Edmonds Landscape & Construction: Building Success on Safety" By Susan Hirshorn

NSCSA external audit results 96%

"The external audit revealed a superior safety program with deep management involvement and worker buy in. Well developed innovative worker training along with comprehensive hazard control measures are augmented by detailed inspections and effective investigations."

Kevin Reid, Auditor

"After completing the cycle audit review of your firm's safety program, the Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association is pleased to congratulate your firm on successfully completing this process. please accept our best wishes, along with your renewed NSCSA Certificate of Recognition."

Mike Kelly, Executive Director

NSCSA Annual Safety audit scores 96%

NSCSA Annual Safety audit scores 94%

Planet Professional Landcare Network

"Overall Safety Achievement Award" Gold Performance level; and, "No Days Away From Work" Safety recognition award.

NSCSA Annual Safety audit scores 98%

NSCSA Annual Safety audit scores 92%

We were very pleased to receive the following encouragement in letters from NSCSA representatives: "Your company has made a tremendous investment in health and safety over the past few years. This investment does yield a definite long term payback, however it is frustrating when the buyer of a service rewards firms who do not play by the rules and pay the costs necessary for most legitimate businesses. ie: insurance, Workers Compensation and OH&S compliance. Most buyers today realize the tremendous risk and liability they face by not placing a priority on OH&S compliance."

Mike Kelly, CRSP CHSC Director Safety Services/Quality Manager

"Very few companies receive such a high score. This is a strong indication that Edmonds has succeeded in developing a safety program that works".

Judy Bunston, Director of Audit

Edmonds made presentations in support of the proposed bylaw to restrict cosmetic use of pesticides in HRM to public hearings held by HRM council. On July 11, the bylaw passed first reading by a vote of 17 to 6.

Edmonds employee Eric O'Brien is appointed to the Municipality's Pesticide By-Law Advisory Committee, charged with developing a by-law to restrict cosmetic use of pesticides in HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality).

Certificate of Recognition issued by the Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association

The Certificate of Recognition is acknowledgment by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and the Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association that the Company has implemented and maintains a Health and Safety Program that meets certain standards for our particular industry. In NSCSA's own words, "The Certificate of Recognition is awarded to firms who have completed the training requirements, fully implemented a loss control program, and successfully participated in the Audit process."
The Letter of Good Standing is issued annually after the yearly audit is completed.

Edmonds is awarded the prestigious 'Ecologo' from TerraChoice Industries Inc., an agency of Environment Canada. The use of The Ecologo means that Edmonds holds leading edge technology for environmentally sustainable services.

Edmonds featured on CBC's "The Nature of Things", hosted by David Suzuki. It focused on the decision to radically change the Halifax based landscape business.

The "First Lake Watershed Management Project" commissioned by Edmonds and the residents of the First Lake Community, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. The objective was to promote and then test the efficacy of "neighborhood stewardship" as a means of reducing phosphorus and bacteria input into a local lake. The results were reported in a 1994 Oceans Conference.

"The Oaks Experiments" conducted on the grounds of "The Oaks" at Saint Mary's University, examined the effects of different turf mixes, soil amendments, and cutting regimes on organically maintained turf. Public and Industry Workshops on organic management of turf were held at The Oaks in the fall of 1992, and over each of the next two years.

Edmonds received the prestigious Canadian Award for Business Excellence (CABE) Environment Category. The award was given in recognition of Edmonds' success in changing over from a synthetic chemical approach in landscape management to an organic system of lawn, garden and tree-care.

Edmonds received the Nova Scotia Environmental Council Award in the Business/Industrial Category having made the commitment to reduce use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers to the lowest possible levels, and still remain competitive in the landscape industry. To promote the change, Edmonds Environmental Services was formed as a new division of the company. Edmonds periodically conducts trials and experiments to determine the effectiveness of new products for organic management as they have come on the market. Local topsoils and composts have been surveyed, and a topsoil experiment set up under the supervision of Dr. David Patriquin. This study stemmed from Edmonds' difficulties with "manufactured topsoils". It investigates the effect of different soil textures and different quantities and types of compost on turf quality over several years.