Lloyd Singleton
Landscape Manager
The Breakers Palm Beach
I am partial to the letter L. As the youngest of five siblings, I followed Lynnette, Lorene, Leah, and Larry. My parents named me Lloyd, with a double L. I also like the L in Landscape. I’m a landscape guy, and have earned my living managing some pretty incredible landscapes for about 9 years now.
Not too long ago, our fabulous association added the letter L. FNGA became FNGLA, adding Landscape to the name. To me, it is an indicator of the forwarding thinking orientation of our association, recognizing the interrelatedness and synergy of multiple segments of the green industry.
I attended TPIE this past weekend, and was amazed at the beauty of the show. Even as primarily a landscape guy, I was inspired. The booths, the show entrance, the variety of vendors, and the global nature of the show were energizing. Old friends, new contacts, established products, and innovations were all in one location, with a common passion. I am very glad that a landscape guy was welcome and embraced at a tropical plant exhibition. I’m glad we added that L to our name.
We hear a lot about sustainability these days. Frankly, any thinking person has got to realize that a move toward sustainability in every aspect of our lives is critical to our survival as the human species on this planet. As the green industry, we are central to the sustainability movement. Nature at it’s best. We should take the lead. It may mean embracing partnerships with other industries, adding more L’s.
Think big with me for a moment. What does our future hold? Is it a 10 acre growing range shaded with photovoltaic film selling 3000kW to the local power grid? Is it a landscape maintenance contractor partnering with the local greasy spoon to convert used vegetable oil to biodiesel to power her trucks and equipment? Perhaps the resort complex grounds and stewarding departments combine vegetable scraps and landscape debris in a vermiculture facility yielding soil-enriching castings.
Let’s join together, open our arms and lead our industry to even greater things. And always be willing to add an L.
I am partial to the letter L. As the youngest of five siblings, I followed Lynnette, Lorene, Leah, and Larry. My parents named me Lloyd, with a double L. I also like the L in Landscape. I’m a landscape guy, and have earned my living managing some pretty incredible landscapes for about 9 years now.
Not too long ago, our fabulous association added the letter L. FNGA became FNGLA, adding Landscape to the name. To me, it is an indicator of the forwarding thinking orientation of our association, recognizing the interrelatedness and synergy of multiple segments of the green industry.
I attended TPIE this past weekend, and was amazed at the beauty of the show. Even as primarily a landscape guy, I was inspired. The booths, the show entrance, the variety of vendors, and the global nature of the show were energizing. Old friends, new contacts, established products, and innovations were all in one location, with a common passion. I am very glad that a landscape guy was welcome and embraced at a tropical plant exhibition. I’m glad we added that L to our name.
We hear a lot about sustainability these days. Frankly, any thinking person has got to realize that a move toward sustainability in every aspect of our lives is critical to our survival as the human species on this planet. As the green industry, we are central to the sustainability movement. Nature at it’s best. We should take the lead. It may mean embracing partnerships with other industries, adding more L’s.
Think big with me for a moment. What does our future hold? Is it a 10 acre growing range shaded with photovoltaic film selling 3000kW to the local power grid? Is it a landscape maintenance contractor partnering with the local greasy spoon to convert used vegetable oil to biodiesel to power her trucks and equipment? Perhaps the resort complex grounds and stewarding departments combine vegetable scraps and landscape debris in a vermiculture facility yielding soil-enriching castings.
Let’s join together, open our arms and lead our industry to even greater things. And always be willing to add an L.
1 comments:
Hi Lloyd,
Thank you for your perspective on the big L. The photos and your comment on TPIE add to my regret that I missed the event this year. Such events can shake us from our way of seeing and doing things.
As an educator in the industry, I am constantly reminded that the big picture you painted for us Lloyd crosses over professions, industries and standards of practice. I am most encouraged as I meet people from all backgrounds that we are all beginning to see beyond our own myopic industries, geographies, and comforts.
In the Web 2.0 moment, we are empowered to actively contribute to the making of our future. From the perspective of the big L, I hope that our industry embraces this new world of communication by tapping into the experiences of a broad industry and beyond toward the solutions that make sense, make money, and make for a sustainable future.
Your friend,
Joy
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