January 15, Thursday
Central Coast Chapter
New Year’s Kick-Off Event and Board Meeting

BOARD MEETING: 4PM
KICK-OFF EVEMT Time: 5 pm to 7 pm
Location: TBA

Contact Scott Long at ‭831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com

We’ll meet for a brief Board Meeting just before the party, at 4:00. At 5:00 the Party begins, please join us for beverages and snacks at _____________ and include description and address. Contact…

Contact Scott Long at ‭831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com

More info in this newsletter, read on…

______________________________

February 5, 2026, Thursday
Central Coast Chapter Board Meeting

Time: noon
Location: Laughing monk tap room, 262 Mt Hermon Rd, scotts Valley

Annual Planning meeting of the Central Coast Board of directors
Contact Scott Long at ‭831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com

February 6, 2026, Thursday
The Nor Cal Landscape & Nursery Show

Time: 8 am to 4 pm
Location: San Mateo Event Center

Come to this trade show for the exhibits, connections, and educational speakers. Visit https://norcaltradeshow.org/ to register and learn more. Call (530) 458-3190 or Email: margoc@frontiernet.net for more information.

March 5, 2026, Thursday
Central Coast Chapter Board Meeting

Time: noon
Location: Laughing monk tap room, 262 Mt Hermon Rd, scotts Valley

Annual Planning meeting of the Central Coast Board of directors
Contact Scott Long at ‭831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com

Other up coming events…
Suppliers Night in March 2026!

Board of Directors Report

News updates from the Board—november/december 2025

Hello Central Coast CLCA Members and Friends,

As this year is winding down we would like to promote our Annual Holiday Party. The party will be Friday December 5th at The Back Nine Grill & Bar at Pasatiempo. Party starts at 5:00 pm. with dinner at 6:15, and White Elephant Gift exchange starting at 7:00. There is a great menu of Prime Rib, Turkey, house vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, a choice of salads, desserts and more.

CLCA Central Coast Partners get one dinner free. This is open to all members, Partners, vendors, sponsors, family and friends. So please spread the word. Price for Dinner $100.00

Gift exchange suggested at no more than $25.00. This a very fun none stressful event. Come in have some Fun!  As you may know we are in need of some new board members. If you have any interest or know anyone who might please come to the Back Nine at 4:00 p.m., before the party, for the last meeting of the year!

Lets all finish this year off proper!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Thanks,
Scott

Scott Long, owner, president, CEO of Central Coast Landscape and Maintenance Inc.
Director of Events, CLCA Central Coast Chapter
Email: slong@centralcoastlandscape.com

Central Coast Board 2025

Voting members:

President: Open
Phil Dundas, The Landscape Company, Immediate Past President

Membership Director  
Julie Zuckerman, Delta Blue Grass

Secretary: Open 

Director of Events
Scott Long, Central Coast Landscaping

Associate Member Director
Francisco Hernandez, Site One

Education Director
Jason Beiley, Water and Stone Natural Landscapes

Legislation Director
Henry Rose, Graniterock

Social Media Networking
Julie Zuckerman and Henry Rose

Non-voting members:

Website Editor: Ki Bowman
Newsletter Editor: Elise Huffman
Bookkeeper: Cathy Quinn

Survey on School Tree Projects

Hi Members of CLCA/Central Coast,

I’m part of a team of researchers conducting a survey on tree activities or projects at California K-12 schools, seeking to learn from people involved in the advocacy, design, installation, maintenance, management, education, and fundraising, for trees located on school campuses (such as schoolyards, school gardens, entryways, parking lots) or adjacent street trees.

We are really hoping to include the perspectives of landscape contractors who might have done some projects on schools.

Have you been involved in tree projects at California K–12 schools? UCLA researchers want to hear from you! They are looking for input from anyone who has contributed to advocacy, design, planting, maintenance, management, education, or fundraising for school trees. This project is a collaboration with Green Schoolyards America, CAL FIRE, California ReLeaf, and the Trust for Public Land. Survey link: tinyurl.com/schooltrees

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Liz Riedman, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar, UCLA
Email: eriedman@luskin.ucla.edu

HIGHLIGHT—recent CLCA Event

2025 CLCA Annual Convention Sonoma County

November 5-8th, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency

The annual CLCA Convention kicked off last week with the—Associate Members in partnership with LEAF—Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser. This was a last-minute change to the schedule due to forecasted weather changes. Jeff Calhoun, State Associate Member Director, wanted to create an Ice Breaker that could kick-off this year with a bang and involve everyone in attendance. With over 56 participants, we all believe that this was a great success. Even those who had never played cornhole in their lives participated and enjoyed themselves. After the Associate Member Breakfast Meeting, we will all be looking forward to continuing this tradition for many future conventions to come.

 The convention had a packed 2-day schedule with some educational seminars like “Cool Ambers with FireSafe Landscape Maintenance” and growth business round tables like “From Fumble to Finish” presented by Executive Director Sandra Giarde, CAE. These group discussions went over regulation changes and highlighted some of the ways Santa Rosa was able to rebuild after their devastating fires back in 2017. Now that there are little to no signs of active fire in the Coffee Park area, we were later led on a tour of the area by Andrew Johnson of Johnson’s Tree & Garden, as he discussed some of the recommendations for better FireSafe Landscaping and details to be aware of when designing for current and future clients.   

In the growth business roundtable discussion, there were several contractors with recommendations on how to handle warm leads, quote requests, and most importantly, engage that initial appointment and walk through. There were also some great tools that were discussed to assist with organizing those clients’ customers, and in which stage of the process they are, relative to their project completion. All-in-all, be honest, be responsive and if you say you will do something be sure to follow through because it’s the details that will make or break your business in the highly competitive business we are in!

We ended this year’s Convention with a great Trophy Awards Dinner. The State awarded projects that were submitted from all around California were presented, with an Outstanding and 1st Place designation for each of their respective categories. From what I gathered the CLCA Inland Empire and CLCA San Diego received the most 1st Place designations with some beautiful outdoor design installs. It was a beautiful way to end the night and the convention. Until next time, be sure to plan ahead and make time to attend CLCA’s Annual Convention in 2026, this time in beautiful Sunny San Diego!  

—Francisco J Hernandez Jr., Central Coast Chapter’s Associate Member Director
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Business Development Manager -Pennisula/ SouthBay/South Coast
Mobile/Text: 669-325-9874 Office: 650-224-2269
www.siteone.com

https://clca.org/member-resources/member-benefits/expert-advice-attorney-on-retainer/

Join Us, the Central Coast Chapter Board of Directors

By joining our team of leaders managing the Central Coast Chapter you will be helping us bring awareness to the work we do in our community and as C- 27 professional Landscape Contractors.

If you are interested in any of the positions, or would like to serve on our board as a committee chair, or volunteer to help in any capacity please contact Phil Dundas, our immediate past president at: phil@thelandscapecompany.com.

Central Coast Chapter Partners for Success Program

Now is the time to RENEW YOUR PARTNERSHIP. Central Coast’s Partners for Success Program provides an opportunity to increase your visibility in the community, to be seen as a leader in the green industry by helping sustain the many educational and enrichment offerings of our association.

For more information, contact Scott Long ‭at 831-332-4565 or slong@centralcoastlandscape.com

LINKS COMING Soon for REGISTRATION 2026

WE love our partners

PaRTNER’S CORNER

EARL BOYD

evergreen supply

Read more about Earl here…www.clca-cc.org/partners

The Partner’s Corner! What a great benefit. Here’s an easy way to let people in your industry know what you’re up to, what’s new, and why you’re the success that you are. We want to see pictures of you, your family, your company’s staff, we want to know what you do in your spare time and what makes you unique. We’re interested. Please contact Elise Huffman, the Central Coast editor, if you are interested in being featured on our website in a future “Partner’s Corner.” Partner’s don’t miss this chance for some FREE advertising.

UPCOMING event

Take a look at all these playful folks, please join us in the holiday spirit & join in the fun!

Central Coast Chapter of the CLCA
2025 Holiday Dinner Party &
White Elephant Gift Exchange

Friday, December 5, 2025—DelaveagA ‘s BACK NINE GRILL, Santa Cruz, CA

Please join us for CLCA Central Coast Chapter’s 2024 Holiday, December 5, Friday, 5-9 pm! We’ll celebrate 2025 and make a toast to 2026. Come have dinner with your friends, enjoy a beverage, enjoy the season. FUN! Includes dinner at The Grille at Delaveaga, Santa Cruz at 6:15.

Admission and dinner to this event is part of your Partnership Fee. So if you are a Partner, Oak, Redwood, or Maple you’re in, but please REGISTER HERE, so we know you’re coming. Guests are $100 each. Dinner menu includes: charcuterie board, Prime Rib or Turkey options, with salads, peach crisp…tea and coffee, a sumptuous menu indeed. Delicious!

We’ll hold our, always popular, White Elephant Gift Exchange, bring a gift, something in the $0-25 range. There will be some extra special surprise gifts as well.

Thank you for your Partnership!