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LICH 2024 Green Industry Conference Recap

Posted on Oct. 25, 2024  /  LICH Updates  /  Subscribe 0

By: Alberto Ricordi 

The Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii (LICH) 2024 Green Industry Conference was a success, with a roster of over 20 presenters during 16 sessions, and 17 sponsors and exhibitors (including outdoor equipment demos). The Conference was held on Thursday, October 10, at the Ko’olau Ballrooms, and included three tracks: Pests, Arborists, and Nursery & Design. Attendees could choose from 15 ISA, 12 HDOA, and 15 LICT opportunities for CEUs. 

The Conference kick-started with keynote speaker Bob Mann, Senior Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Bob explained the Endangered Species Act, the expected profound changes to the regulatory framework for pesticides, and how each and every user of pesticides in the United States will feel these effects (Figure 1).

As the invasive species situation is top-of-mind for all islands, the Conference featured 8 sessions specific to coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB), little fire ants (LFA), and other invasive pests, invasive plants, or plant diseases (Figures 2 and 3).

Pesticide education was a major component of the Conference, with 3 sessions presented by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture Pesticide Branch and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension.

Figure 1. Bob Mann was the 2024 Green Industry Conference’s Keynote Speaker.

Figure 2. Mark Fukui shared his recent experiences with Hawaii's new invasive species and how these have shaped his outlook on the industry.

Figure 3. David Golden and Ilana Nimz presented a Best Management Practice approach to reduce the establishment of and damage by CRB in the urban forest.

Mahalo to our Sponsors and Exhibitors:

Sponsors:

Exhibitors:

The 2024 Green Industry Conference was only possible because of guest speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and LICH’s staff, Board of Directors and volunteers (Figure 4). Please contact us as [email protected] if you would like to be involved in the planning of next year’s conference, participate as a presenter, or volunteer in a session. We will appreciate your feedback or any suggestions on how to improve the conference.

Mahalo!

The LICH 2024 Green Industry Conference Committee

Figure 4. LICH 2024 Green Industry Conference Committee and Volunteers. From left to right: Matt Lyum, LICH President; David Golden, LICH Treasurer and Arborist Session’s moderator; Ilana Nimz, CEU’s coordinator for Arborist Track; Karen Smith, LICH’s Manager; Hannah Lutgen, Program Co-Chair and Pest Track’s moderator; Alberto Ricordi, Program Chair; Allison Wright, CEU’s coordinator for Pest Track; Josiah Marquez, Nursery and Design Track’s moderator and CEU coordinator.

Alberto Ricordi, D. Arch., Oahu County Ornamentals & Landscape Assistant Extension Agent, College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa, and served as Program Chair for LICH’s 2024 Green Industry Conference.

Disclaimer: Mention of a trademark or proprietary name does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, or warranty by the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service or its employees and does not imply recommendation to the exclusion of other suitable products. Pesticide use is governed by state and federal regulations. Read the pesticide label to be sure that the intended use is included on it and follow all label directions.

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