Alabama Certified Landscape Professional Program Launched
Last November, the long-awaited Alabama Certified Landscape Professional Program (ACLP) was officially launched. The Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association (ALNLA) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System spent two years developing a landscape certification program. Since Auburn does not have a landscape Extension specialist, this was a major undertaking that involved changing priorities and soliciting help from industry and others throughout the Southeast.
ACLP's mission is to develop and implement a recognized comprehensive teaching, testing and continuing education program for Alabama's landscape professionals. The state of Alabama requires licensing of landscape contractors and designers, which requires individuals to pass a licensing exam. However, the test is elementary and offers only minimum assurance of knowledge and competence for the consumer. The ALNLA envisioned a higher-level voluntary education and testing program so that landscape professionals would have a way to separate themselves from those businesses with lesser skills and knowledge. The landscape industry represents about $1.6 billion to Alabama's economy, so it was a high priority to offer educational outreach opportunities.
This program is in its infancy but is already known among the landscape trade and with the colleges and community colleges teaching the program. ALNLA will be promoting the quality of these professionals. Contact Linda VanDyke, ALNLA executive secretary at alna51@bellsouth.net for teaching materials and testing information. The price of the program and teaching materials is $100 for members and $150 for nonmembers. Look for the ACLP logos and ads that will soon follow.