The National Association of Landscape Professionals (formed by a merger of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America [ALCA] and the Professionals Lawn Care Association of America [PLCAA]) is the trade association representing an industry of more than one million landscape, lawn care, tree care, irrigation and horticulture professionals in the United States, Canada and overseas. We are committed to advancing the industry through inspiring education, expert training, powerful advocacy and a thriving community — empowering professionals and driving growth.

Our mission statement

The National Association of Landscape Professionals advocates for lawn and landscape industry growth and the benefits we provide to our communities. We do this through our pillars:

• Advocate relentlessly: Advance and defend the interests of the lawn and landscape industry at all levels of government.
• Educate industry professionals: Deliver the best education, training and leadership development opportunities to advance the careers of lawn and landscape professionals.
• Expand the workforce: Attract the best and brightest to the profession.
• Promote the industry: Grow the industry by showcasing the benefits and value that professionally managed lawns and landscapes offer families, communities and the environment
• Set the highest standards: Propel businesses to reach new heights through our nationally recognized programs

Our team

Our Board of Directors includes CEO’s of industry companies and suppliers who are dedicated to advancing and protecting the industry and helping industry companies grow and prosper. Our committees and councils are made up of members who volunteer their time to help shape association programs and initiatives.

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Become a member

Are you a landscape professional ready to take your business to the next level? Join 2,000 of thenation's best companies as a member of NALP! NALP gives you the competitive edge to grow faster and succeed. As the leading voice for the landscape industry, NALP provides exclusive access to education, mentoring, training, and a thriving community of experts — along with powerful advocacy that protects and advances the industry.

NALP empowers your growth in a variety of ways. Members access free HR, legal, safety, and government affairs experts and partner with experienced owners in our Navigate Business Mentoring Program.

NALP also helps grow your team through professional development opportunities and gives you a competitive edge with free quarterly economic forecasts, benchmark reports, legislative updates and insights on innovative business solutions and technology.

As a member company, you gain exclusive access to industry-leading events and programs such as:

• Free online training for your team
• A powerful business mentoring program
• Advice from NALP expert advisors
• The chance to be recognized through the National Project and Safety Awards
• Access to ITR industry economic forecasts
• Up to date industry news and content
• Leadership opportunities such as the Executive Leadership at UVA program and the leaders forum
• Tools to protect your team in the Safe Company Program
• The opportunity to attend National Collegiate Landscape Competition and discover industry's top emerging talent 

Join NALP today!

Advocating for the industry

We are a powerful force working to protect the industry. Our team works with landscape and lawn care professionals at the local, state and Federal level through the outreach of lawn care and landscape company representatives in their own communities. We work everyday to build relationships and advocate for positive legislation and regulations. NALP also provides an advocacy library for members the includes a variety of resources to help communicate around our priority issues.

Get engaged in advocating.

Certification and learning opportunities

At NALP, we are committed to advancing your professional journey in the landscape industry. Our programs and courses are designed to cater to different levels of expertise, providing valuable pathways for both seasoned professionals and those new to the field.

Certification program

Our Technician Certification Program is tailored for industry experts seeking to validate their knowledge and skills. This comprehensive program requires a demonstrated understanding of industry practices, enabling certified individuals to stand out as leaders in their field. By earning this certification, you showcase your commitment to excellence and gain recognition as a trusted professional. Whether you are looking to elevate your expertise or begin your journey in the landscape industry, NALP’s programs and courses provide the resources and recognition you need to thrive. Explore our offerings today and take the next step in your professional development!

Continuing education

There are numerous ways to earn CEU’s and to advance your professionalism. Maintaining your credential(s) is easier than you might think; you can advance your professionalism and earn CEU’s by:

• Attending conferences
• Attending NALP seminars
• Taking a college or university course
• Enrolling in a new NALP Certification program or specialty

The Learning Hub

Elevate Your Landscape Team's Skills with NALP's Learning Hub. Stop searching for effective online training! Our comprehensive platform is designed specifically for landscape technicians and managers, providing the essential skills they need to excel and drive your business forward. Developed by industry experts, our on-demand courses make training your team quick, easy, and incredibly flexible – accessible anytime, anywhere. Plus, participants earn valuable certificates of completion.

Lawn Care Hub

NALP helps lawn care operators and lawn care service providers achieve more. The Lawn Care Hub gives you quick access to the latest articles from the experts, tools and resources to help your business grow. You can also access information about state pesticide regulations and learn more about our government affairs team works to protect lawn care businesses.

Start learning today.

Growing the workforce

From educating secondary students about careers in the industry, high school and college skills competitions and career fairs, to thought leadership and tools to help contractors, we are focused on connecting member companies with the workforce of tomorrow. We know how hard it is to find landscape employees to fill your open positions - partly because people don't know what types of career paths our industry offers and partly because they don't understand the opportunities that exist.

We’ve created resources to make the job of promoting careers in the industry easier, with materials targeted at the next generation as well as adult job seekers. These tools will help you demonstrate the variety of career paths and incredible opportunities the landscape industry offers. Visit our LandscapeIndustryCareers.org site for more shareable resources, videos and personal stories that you can share when you are recruiting.

We are also involved in  a variety of programs, including:

• SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. They're a student-led partnership of education and industry that’s building the future skilled workforce our nation depends on with graduates who are career ready, day one.
• National Collegiate Landscape Competition: The National Collegiate Landscape Competition is an annual three-day powerhouse event which brings together the top landscape and horticulture students, top industry companies and dozens of the biggest industry manufacturers and suppliers.

Get helpful workforce recruitment resources.

Promoting health landscapes

Through LoveYourLandscape.org, NALP shares expert advice to educate, inspire and encourage you to love, work and play outside. Via this site and other platforms, we are growing awareness of the benefits of managed landscapes and their positive impact on climate and environmental sustainability. NALP truly believes that industry professionals, through sustainable landscaping practices and embracing advances in technology, are stewards of diverse landscapes and want to support them and their work. We do this all year around, but with added emphasis in April, which is National Lawn Care Month.

We also host a variety of conferences and events which provide the best education for landscape and lawn care professionals. Learn from top industry experts who have insider knowledge and connect with CEOs, owners and managers who are dealing with the same issues that you face. Our hallmark event is the ELEVATE Conference & Expo. If you only attend one event a year, this is the one. The national conference for landscape, design build, and lawn care professionals! We are bringing together industry icons, thought leaders and new partners to reimagine the future of the profession and the needs of the green community. The result? A more focused event that will better serve our industry, inspire change and propel our professionalism at every level.

Learn more about events and promotions!

Giving back

Our industry gives back all year round. We honor that volunteer spirit through our national day of service – Renewal and Remembrance – held in Washington D.C. This day occurs each July, and sees lawn care and landscape professionals from across the country donate their time and expertise to enhance the grounds at Arlington National Cemetery and honor the men and women buried there.

We also partner with other volunteer service organizations, such as:

• Project EverGreen: Project EverGreen is a non-profit that revitalizes and sustains green spaces like parks and community yards. They collaborate with volunteers and businesses to promote a healthier environment and better quality of life.
• Industry Collective: The Industry COLLECTIVE is a movement of landscapers, lawn care companies, and suppliers who are unified in their efforts to impact their local communities.

Learn how you can get involved.

Building community

We know that you and your team members want to connect with others in the industry, help move the industry forward and give back. NALP aims to facilitate and nurture industry relationships because we are stronger together. We are involved in many different community-focused networks:

• Latino Landscape Network
• Veterans in Landscape Network
• Women in Landscape Network
• Young Professionals Network

Find your community.

Latest Scholarships

NALP Foundation Scholarship Program 2026

Since its inception in 1996, the National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation has granted scholarships to students enrolled in landscape contracting and/or horticultural programs at two-year or four-year colleges and universities. To qualify, students must be enrolled in landscape/horticulture two or four year post-secondary program. Application Requirements include: Student must be from ...
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Latest Videos

NALP's Video Playlist

Learn more about NALP by visiting their Coffee Shop Directory. Subscribe to NALP's YouTube channel. Why Join NALP? NCLC Overview: Shaping the Future of the Landscape Industry Inside the NCLC Career Fair: Connecting Students with Landscape Industry Leaders
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