The 2nd Annual Think Natives First™ Plant Conference will take place Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Presented by Native Forest Nursery, this year’s theme is “Specify It Right: Native Plants from Plan to Performance.” The event is designed for landscape architects, designers, installers, arborists, civil engineers, nursery professionals, local agencies and advocates who influence how landscapes are planned, specified and maintained.
Sessions will focus on practical strategies for writing enforceable, native-forward specifications, aligning plant selection with site conditions and stormwater goals, reducing maintenance costs and improving long-term landscape performance. Attendees can also earn PDH/CEU credits, connect with vendors and join post-conference networking. The event will include real project scenarios, including a workshop on replacing commonly specified non-native or invasive plants with high-performing native alternatives.
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Rehlko has earned a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ for the fastest mowing of an area the size of an American football field, completing the feat on the TurfMutt Great Lawn in Louisville, Kentucky. The record-setting run was achieved by professional mower operator Hali Rieman, known as the "Lawn Queen," using a mower powered by a Rehlko Command PRO® engine.
Beyond the record, the event highlighted the broader value of professionally managed green spaces. The TurfMutt Great Lawn served as a living example of how healthy turf can help cool urban environments, reduce stormwater runoff, control erosion, improve air quality, and create welcoming spaces for recreation and community gatherings. The demonstration reinforced the role parks and managed landscapes play as essential infrastructure, supporting healthier, more resilient communities while showcasing the expertise and innovation driving today's landscape industry.
Equip Exposition is expanding its commitment to supporting women in the green industry with an enhanced Women's Leadership Reception at the 2026 event. This year's program will feature keynote speakers Susan Packard, co-founder of HGTV, and Judith Guido, a respected executive in the landscape industry.
Designed to foster connection and professional growth, the event will explore leadership, resilience, career advancement, and the unique opportunities and challenges of working in traditionally male-dominated fields. Attendees can expect candid conversations, practical insights, and networking opportunities with professionals from across the landscape industry.
As more women take on leadership roles in design, construction, maintenance, and business ownership, the expanded programming reflects the industry's continued evolution and Equip Expo's commitment to creating opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and professional development.
Luxury outdoor living is evolving beyond entertainment, with wellness emerging as one of the fastest-growing drivers of residential landscape design. Landscape architects and design-build firms are increasingly being asked to create outdoor environments that support physical and mental well-being through intentional design. Features such as cold plunges, saunas, meditation gardens, outdoor showers, yoga decks, restorative planting, and quiet retreat spaces are becoming integral components of high-end residential projects rather than optional upgrades.
The shift reflects a broader understanding of how outdoor environments influence health. Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of spending time in nature, from reducing stress and supporting mental wellness to improving sleep, immune function, and overall quality of life. As a result, homeowners are placing greater value on landscapes that encourage daily interaction with the outdoors rather than simply enhancing curb appeal.
For landscape professionals, the trend represents an opportunity to think beyond individual amenities and design holistic outdoor environments that promote restoration, movement, and connection to nature. As wellness continues to shape residential design, outdoor spaces are increasingly being viewed not just as extensions of the home, but as essential components of healthier, more resilient lifestyles.
Mariani Premier Group (MPG) has expanded its presence in Florida with the addition of Lopez Gardening, a Palm Beach Gardens-based landscape installation and maintenance company known for serving the luxury residential market. Founded in 1970, Lopez Gardening has built a reputation for high-end landscape craftsmanship and personalized service throughout Palm Beach County. Current owner Jaime Gonzalez, who has led the company since 1992, will remain as Vice President of Operations, continuing to oversee the business and its team.
The acquisition marks MPG's sixth Florida-based company, joining BLUE Landscape, Botanica Landscaping, Garden Industries, TCIROOD and Hazeltine Nurseries. The move strengthens Mariani Premier Group's growing network of premier landscape firms and reinforces the company's strategy of bringing together leading regional businesses while maintaining their local leadership and expertise. As demand for luxury outdoor living continues to grow across Florida, the expanded footprint positions MPG to better serve clients throughout the region.