Our Vision & Mission
Description
The California Landscape Contractors Association is a non-profit trade organization of licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors. Also included among its approximately 3,200 members are landscape suppliers, landscape architects, public officials, educators, and students.
Although formally incorporated in 1952, CLCA has been meeting as an association since 1937.
Mission
CLCA's mission is to serve and protect the interests of its members, promote professionalism, and advance public awareness of the landscape industry.
Core Goal
The association's Core Goal is to support CLCA members as they create beautiful, enduring landscapes that improve the quality of life.
Core Values
- Commitment to honesty, integrity, and ethics at all costs;
- Devotion to excellence in craftsmanship;
- Living the entrepreneurial spirit;
- Reverence for the Earth and respect for its resources; and
- Relationships are everything.
Public Significance
Contractor members are state licensed and meet all requirements for consumer protection. CLCA therefore educates the consumer about the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors and maintains an Operation Helping Hand Program to encourage and help unlicensed individuals become licensed landscape contractors.
CLCA is an active force in the statewide effort to conserve water. As water-efficient irrigation experts, many members are invaluable sources for consultations on planning and installing water-saving irrigation systems. CLCA also conducts an active public information program on landscape water management.
Benefits
The association's state and local activities provide members with a forum for & Services open discussion, networking and learning. The association provides a large menu of services to its members including educational resources, contract forms, educational events, publicity, access to legal consultants and peer advice, group insurance, political advocacy, information, a landscape awards program, a certification program for landscape technicians, and an industry trade show.
Legislative Objectives
CLCA has identified the following legislative priorities for 2007:
Comprehensive Immigration ReformFederal legislation should include effective border security, a pathway for undocumented workers to obtain permanent legal status, a temporary guest worker program to fill jobs that American workers will not perform, and reasonable sanctions on employers who violate the law.
Workers' CompensationCLCA will work with other groups to oppose any legislation that reverses the progress made in California in 2004.
Water Supply, Water Quality, and InfrastructureCLCA will make sure that landscape construction receives a fair share of the opportunities that may be created by Governor Schwarzenegger's infrastructure initiatives.
AB 2717 Landscape Task ForceCLCA will monitor any California landscape water conservation legislation that seeks to implement the task force recommendations.
Minimum WageCLCA will monitor efforts in California to increase the minimum wage.
Commercial Construction Defect ReformCLCA will support reform to indemnification agreements used in commercial contracts if a critical mass of other organizations form a coalition around all or part of the problem. Career Technical Education. CLCA will continue to support bills that expand and improve technical and vocational education related to the construction trades.
Chapters
CLCA has 17 chapters statewide that conduct monthly meetings and carry on the association's activities and objectives on a local level. Its 23 standing committees and several task forces develop and implement various programs and services. A listing of these chapters can be found here.