Just a few hours after the PLANET Day of Service project started, a video reporter from KansasCity.com (The online version of the Kansas City Star) showed up and took some B-Roll and did an interview with me about our project at Liberty Memorial.  The result was perfect for our service project!  As of tonight, our video was the 7th most popular video on the site.

Here is a screen capture…

Watch the entire video here.  Thanks Chris for an awesome portrayal of our day serving our community!

We will be writing about our PLANET Day of Service project over the next week or so…  Natasha Gabbert was featured on page 2 of the Kansas City Star today….

NOTE:  Follow along on our progress on the project here on the Highland Outdoor blog, or in real time via our Highland Outdoor Twitter feed:  www.twitter.com/highlandoutdoor

On Earth Day 2009, a PLANET Day of Service for the landscaping, design/build and lawn care industry is dedicating over 90 volunteers, who will donate 900 hours of service, $40,000 worth of labor and materials to beautify the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City, Missouri.   Local lawn, tree, and landscape companies will spend the day beautifying the grounds to enhance and upgrade the park and facility.

“The PLANET Day of Service is a nationwide event for the landscaping, design/build and lawn care industry and includes over 240 “Green” industry companies dedicated to beautify their local communities on Earth Day,” remarked Jason Cupp, President of PLANET, and CEO of Highland Outdoor, located in Olathe, KS.

Highland Outdoor and PBI/Gordon along with Signature Landscape, RS Unlimited, Helena Chemical, Kelly’s Lime, Arbor Master Tree Service, Kokopelli’s Nursery, C.S. Carey, and over 90 volunteers are donating time and money to beautifying one of the historic treasures of the world, the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial on Earth Day 2009.  PLANET also beautifies the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. through its annual event, “Renewal & Remembrance.”

The Liberty Memorial beautification project includes tuning up the sprinkler system, the delivery of one ton of Kelly’s palletized lime for the turf, mulch for the project, tree trimming and pruning as well as replacing trees which must be historically accurate and the appropriate size to fit in with existing trees.

“When Doug Obermann, with PBI/Gordon Corporation, contacted me about a group of lawn and landscape professionals who wanted to donate their time and money to the park, I welcomed them,” remarked Russell Gardner, who manages the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial’s 26 acre site.

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial was designated by Congress as the nation’s official World War I Museum.  The primary focus of the National World War I Museum is to honor the memory and sacrifices of those who served their country and defended liberty during World War I. The new state-of-the-art complex opened in 2006 and uses interactive technology to bring history to life.

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Kathy Hanis – (913) 271-5101
EPlus PR

Highland Outdoor is a high-end residential design/build, landscape and maintenance company serving the Midwest, with its Corporate Headquarters in Kansas City.  For more information on Highland Outdoor, visit www.highland-outdoor.com.

PBI/Gordon is an active force in the lawn and garden industry, a marketer of agricultural products and an innovator of professional turf and ornamental products, with their Corporate Headquarters in Kansas City.  For more information on PBI/Gordon, visit www.pbigordon.com.

PLANET – The Professional Landcare Network – the national association for 4,000 Lawn Care, Landscape Maintenance, Design/Build and Interior Plantscaping companies.  For more information on PLANET, visit www.landcarenetwork.com

As Jason’s presidency for PLANET winds down, it is a surreal moment for not only him, but for me as well.

When I began working for Highland Outdoor in 2006 (as the front desk clerk!), I had no idea what was in store for me. I came from a classroom of bright and smiley 5 year old kids, where my daily dilemmas were “Timmy isn’t sharing with me”…  Then, I jumped into the “adult” world, where I would be faced with things like planning trips to Capitol Hill for Jason!

Jason began his role as President of PLANET - The Professional Landcare Network - a national trade association for over 4,000 landscape companies in March of 2008.  The road hasn’t been easy but it has definitely been worth it!  What a life changing experience this has been, watching a ‘regular’ guy from Kansas follow his dreams and aspirations to unimaginable heights.  I have witnessed first hand Jason’s passion for life, the green industry and Highland Outdoor.  It has truly been an incredible experience and I have learned more from Jason in this past year then he will ever know.

Following is Jason’s farewell speech, and Jason, I thank you for this opportunity and the kind words. I am eager for the next chapter to began, stay tuned….

When I became PLANET’s president last year, I had no idea what the next year or so of my life would bring. Well, let me tell you, it’s been one incredible experience. It’s been fun and rewarding for me as a business person and as an individual, and I’ve been humbled by interacting and serving alongside some terrific leaders inside and outside our industry.

For those of you that I’ve had an opportunity to visit with face-to-face or over the telephone, I’ve likely expressed that being PLANET’s president unlocked something inside of me. I can’t really explain what it is or was, but the experience has been one that will make me a better (and different) manager of my team members at Highland Outdoor and a better person all around for my family and friends. A PLANET member recently asked me what I thought my legacy would be. My answer was, “That’s for the members to decide.” As for me, being in this position has had a tremendously positive affect on my life. And, I’m confident that affect has just begun.

When I look back, what were some of the highlights?

Oh, I can think of a few, such as getting up at 3 a.m. last spring to catch a 5 a.m. flight out of Dallas to attend a congressional hearing on immigration and see our volunteers and members in action. What a thrill just to be on Capitol Hill, and how proud I was to be part of this industry. It was amazing to watch PLANET’s testimony be placed into the annals of our nation’s government. And, we did this representing you. PLANET has accomplished an incredible amount this year, and I can take no credit for it. It has been amazing for me to be outside the center of activity on so many important PLANET initiatives. This organization, TEAM PLANET as we’ve been calling it, from its members, volunteers, and leaders to its hard-working and persevering staff, is filled with incredibly talented and capable individuals who work as a team to get things done.

TEAM PLANET has gotten things done this past year. PLANET has forged several new partnerships and strengthened older ones. Seeing the re-signing of our Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) partnership has to be included in my highlight reel. After all, PLANET is only one of a handful of nonprofit organizations to have this kind of close relationship with OSHA, an organization whose oversight and help is critical to the health and well being of our industry members.

Then there are countless other partnerships with Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), Project EverGreen, Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE), the Irrigation Association (IA), Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA), and Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS), as well as with state associations, to name but a few groups. These relationships provide a great opportunity to build alliances for the good of the entire green industry. Yes, we like to think of ourselves as the voice of the green industry, and I believe we are. At the same time, this voice becomes exponentially louder when we team with other like groups.

So, down the road, I see sustaining these relationships and building new ones as pivotal to providing the kind of environment we need to continue to grow and excel as an industry. Technology will play a key role for PLANET, as well. Already, we are taking big strides in how we deliver education to our members via the Internet. If the success of two recent Webinars is any indication, the future of this medium is bright indeed. (On a sidenote, there is an incredible PLANET group on Facebook — facebook.com. Add me if you’re on that social networking site, and I’ll make sure you get invited to join the group!)

I could go on for pages about this past year, but suffice it to say the experience has been both fun and humbling. With that, I want to thank a host of individuals and groups for helping me through the year. Thanks to PLANET’s leadership for taking time away from their families to help move this association forward. And thanks to all of you, PLANET members, who have communicated with and otherwise challenged me. I’ve tried to be transparent, and this openness has resulted in literally hundreds of e-mails and phone calls from members. This is participatory management, and it’s been good for all of our stakeholders.

On a more personal note, I want to thank Sabeena Hickman, CAE, CMP, PLANET’s Chief Operating Officer for her friendship and leadership, members of our management team for all their hard work, and specifically legacy leaders John Gibson, CLT; Dan Foley, CLP; Kurt Kluznik, CCLP; and Rick Doesburg, CCLP, for their knowledge and guidance. At home, I couldn’t have done this without my Highland Outdoor management team and my customers who have supported me from the beginning. Two in particular, Bill East and Steve Tolbert, customers from day one, have been instrumental in my business success, and without their help and guidance I would not be here writing this column. Thanks guys. You know I appreciate you.

Then there are my friends who are so important to me. They continue to be my biggest supporters, despite the fact I’ve been absent and on the road this year. And what can I say about my executive assistant Abby Smith. She has done a phenomenal job dealing with thousands of e-mails, making and changing travel arrangements, and tracking me down and keeping my on course. Abby, I can’t thank you enough. You have been a huge part of this incredible year.

That’s about it. What more can I say except thanks to all of you for giving me an opportunity to serve as PLANET’s president and become even closer to and more knowledgeable about the industry I love and respect.

Jason Cupp, CLP
PLANET President

In our ongoing attempt to keep “Going Green” we have added LED Low Voltage Landscape Lighting to our palette of landscape lighting options.  LED Landscape Lights have evolved quickly over the past few years.  Lights are now available that produce the same “color” and “soft” light regular halogen or xenon bulbs offer.  Most people think of LED Landscape Lighting producing a white or blue light.

The lighting line we have added, Kichler Lighting, has perfected their LED lights to work side by side with traditional landscape lights.  LED lights have a 15 year warranty on the diode and an average expected life of 40,000 hours.  After 40,000 hours the diodes will start to slowly fade, but will not burn out like a traditional light bulb.

Another great advantage to LED Landscape Lights is the wattage consumed by the individual lights.  LED fixtures use only about 40% of the watts as traditional low voltage landscape lights.  This means more efficient lights conserving more energy.  LED lights can be incorporated into an existing system, either by replacing burnt out bulbs with a new LED fixture or simply adding more lights onto your existing system.

Give the Highland Outdoor Team a call if you are interested in looking at ways to enhance your landscape at night without consuming a significant amount of energy to have them on.

The National Weather Service has put the Kansas City Area under a Winter Weather Watch.  The latest Weather Bug Update for severe weather indicated the metro area could receive accumulations of 4-8”.  The track of the storm may change and we may not see any accumulating snow, but regardless of snow the temperatures will once again drop below freezing.

Many ornamental trees and shrubs have starting flowering or producing flower buds.  The lows for Friday and Saturday night will be anywhere from 30-26 degrees (according to the most recent forecast).  Some tender ornamental trees and shrubs may need some protection from the freezing temperatures.  Some Lilacs, Azaleas and other spring blooming trees and shrubs could lose their tender flower buds in the cold weather.  Chances are if the flower buds are lost they may not bloom this spring.

There are a few precautionary steps you can take to help protect any plants you feel may be affected:

First, find a semi-transparent garbage bag or light colored light weight sheet or cloth. You will want something that will allow some light to pass through.  The next thing you will want to do is go out and cover any plants you know usually bloom early in the spring or plants you have noticed starting to produce flower buds (but not necessarily blooming yet).  Most shrubs should be easily protected, but some ornamental trees may be too large to cover effectively.  If you have any questions about any plants you think should be covered feel free to email me at mitch@highland-outdoor.com.

On a second note regarding the snow that may be falling over the weekend, Highland Outdoor offers an emergency snow removal service.  If your residence or business needs any accumulated snow cleared or any ice melt put down please contact us.  We are available 24-Hours a day for Emergency Snow Removal Services.

Contact us via email at sales@highland-outdoor.com (this email is forwarded to our phone) or call us at 913-238-0164 during non-business hours, or 913-782-3700 during regular business hours.  This is for Commercial Clients only in the Greater Kansas City Area.

In 2006, Kiplinger.com published an article featuring Highland Outdoor and Jason Cupp on the value of landscaping, design/build work and creating outdoor living spaces.  Just this month, Kiplinger republished the article, with a few new quotes, ideas, and relevancy related to our current economy.

Here is a quote from the opening portion of the article from Jason:

Jason Cupp, co-founder of design/build, landscape company Highland Outdoor, Olathe, Kan., says his clients frequently ask whether renovating their yards will add value to their property. If two similar neighboring houses were for sale and one had a great landscape design, that house would sell faster, he says.

To read the entire, updated article, click here.

Last fall, my brother Joseph returned to our family business - to serve our clients in our Maintenance Division - after a six year stint in the Service Industry.  I am proud and excited to have Joseph back in the mix.  It’s amazing that he is working with clients that he worked with (when our company was much different than it is now) in his first tour of duty.

I have to admit, the office has a different “energy” to it - Joseph loves to listen to Sports Radio, so it is constantly on during the day in his office - and he LOVES college basketball.  Just last week, as the NCAA Tournament got into full swing, Joseph implemented our “Friends and Family” pool, and had stapled everyone’s picks up in the office!  (Needless to say, that only lasted a few hours until I saw it and kindly asked him to post them in a non-client area….  Ha.)

That said, just a few weeks ago, I wrote this about Joseph’s return to Highland in a letter to our clients:

This season, I’m excited to welcome my brother back into the fold of Highland Outdoor.  Joseph Cupp has returned to our family business, and is managing all of our extra services – including snow and winter services, holiday lighting, exterior landscape and architectural lighting, mulching and horticulture services, turf fertilization, as well as our maintenance division.  If Joseph can assist you in any way possible, you can reach him at the office at 913.782.3700, or via cell at 913.238.0164.  You can also reach him via email at joseph@highland-outdoor.com.

I think the most telling part of Joseph’s journey at Highland the last six months can be found in his first three notes to be posted here on the blog.  I’m actually surprised that he never asked me why they didn’t make it on the website, but those that know me know that I was thinking something “different”…  Check out what he wrote - I love his passion for our company, our clients, and myself…

Blog Entry Number One:
Hello, my name is Joseph Cupp and I am Highland Outdoor’s newest employee.  If my last name sounds familiar, your right.  I am Jason’s brother.  I joined the company on July 27th at Jason’s request in order to help coordinate and manage the maintenance side of the company.  The position was supposed to be a part-time, but, as you guessed, now it’s full time.

I spent the last several years working in the service industry at one of Kansas City’s oldest bars.  To be honest, the job was getting pretty boring.  Now, working for Highland Outdoor, I do something different every day and I love it!  One day I may be driving a dump truck back and forth.  Or, I might be sitting in on a meeting to discuss the construction of a three season room, pool and patio.  I can also be found managing the installation of one of our many landscaping projects.  And the best part of all, I get the opportunity to work and learn from my brother Jason, and the rest of our staff.

I am looking forward to a mild winter and a busy spring and summer.  I am also looking forward to getting to know our clients.  Hopefully I will be involved in your next project!

Happy Holidays!

Blog Entry Number Two:
As I sink into my new job here at Highland Outdoor, I have been given an opportunity to help manage one of the coolest jobs.  My brother Jason recently sold a job to a client in Leawood, KS.  Mitch Benjamin put together a design that is truly one of a kind.  He designed a pool, two patios, a three-season room, with a fireplace and several retaining walls.  Jason and Mitch’s vision is truly amazing.

Even though the project is just beginning, this outdoor living space is going to be something that the client will be able to use for years and years to come.  It is so nice to be involved in a project that builds something so useful.  So far we have stage one and two completed with the installation of the pool.  We completed the demolition of the existing patio last week and we are starting the construction of the various retaining walls.  We are also close to beginning the construction of the three season room.

All of this is very exciting and challenging.  Coordinating our guys with sub-contractors, engineers, vendors and our client is like putting together pieces of a puzzle.  The only difference is that with a puzzle you get a nice picture.  With this project we will be creating an original, sleek, outdoor living space.  I will keep you posted as we move forward.

Blog Entry Number Three:
WOW!  As most of you know, we had the biggest snow storm of the season over last weekend.  Highland Outdoor responded and we tackled snow fall totals of up to four to six inches!  Our crew did a great job and I am very proud of our success.  Just when we thought that it was time to start gearing up for Spring Services we were hit with a changeling snow storm.

Today our crews spent the day getting our trucks ready for the task ahead, spring.  We are preparing to put our fertilization program and maintenance programs into action.  I look forward to hitting the ground running with mowing, fertilization, spring clean-up’s and mulching service.  I am excited about servicing our existing clients and adding several new ones.

Have a great Spring, and remember to give us a call if you are in need of any Spring service this year.

Joseph’s return to Highland meant I needed to call mom up and have her dig up a photo of Joseph and I when we were kids.  The picture above was when I was 3 and Joe was 7.  Pretty hilarious!

It is no big secret that in these tough economic times we are all feeling the effects of the economy in some way.  I am sure that most people are thinking of ways to save money and become more efficient in everyday life.  The smallest of things can make a difference if we choose to become “greener” in our everyday lives.  By simply turning off a light when you walk out of the room or recycling paper are all considered “going green”.

Here at the HO office we have implemented some of these tactics to save money as well.  We are opting to send as many invoices and statements to our clients via email instead of postal mail.  If you would like to get on the list to help save the planet and would like all Highland Outdoor related news or invoices sent to you via email, please email me (natasha@highland-outdoor.com) to get on the list.

Here are a few tips to help you in making the change and heading towards a greener earth:

1.    Instead of using your sprinkler system or faucets to water plants, use something that will actually catch the rainwater.  Try hooking something like a large barrel up to your gutter system and use the rainwater to water your plants instead.
2.    Use space heaters instead of your heating/cooling system.
3.    Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth or washing your face so that you aren’t wasting water.

When you have decided to go green, go through your utility bills from a year ago and compare to this years bills to see how much money you have saved! Saving money and being respectful of the environment will surely bring a smile to your face!

Thanks for becoming part of the greater good to save money for not only Highland Outdoor, or yourself, but for everyone.  It truly has a lasting impact on more things than you know!

Last month, Jason attended PLANET’s (Professional Landcare Network) Executive Forum held at Disney’s Beach Club Resort in Orlando, Florida. This event brought 235 attendees, including spouses and children, to renew a commitment to the balance of life, work and wellness.  In these difficult economic times, we all could use a reminder on how to balance life stresses.

Here is a shot of our fearless leader…

This photo was featured recently on the Landscape Management website, and in an email blast to the entire green industry. Based on this photo I’m sure there were a few laughs shared at Executive Forum!