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Voluntary Code of Conduct

Posted: July 29th, 2010

This Voluntary Code of Conduct was developed by Green Works-The Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association, the Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and the Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee (VIEPC). The intent of the Code is to reduce the sale of non-native plants that have been found to be invasive in Vermont yet are currently legal to sell. In 2010 the VIEPC is seeking to add the following species to The Department of Agriculture’s Quarantine Rule: Japanese Barberry, Burning Bush, Norway Maple, Amur Maple, and Yellow Iris, including all cultivars for these species. After these plants have been added to the Rule, the Vermont Department of Agriculture will allow a three year phase out period. This gives nurseries a grace period in which they can sell off existing stock of these species. To learn more about the rule go to www.vtinvasiveplants.org.

This summer Green Works/VNLA asked member nurseries, landscape designers, and landscapers to consider signing the Voluntary Code of Conduct and cease the sale and use of invasive plants, including Japanese barberry, Norway maple, Burning Bush, Amur Maple and Yellow Iris, including all cultivars of each plant.

The Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and Green Works are now joining forces in a new initiative called PlantWise Vermont. Through PlantWise, horticultural businesses are encouraged to sign on to a Voluntary Code of Conduct to stop selling and using invasive terrestrial plants by March 2011. A number of non-native exotic plants are still legally sold in Vermont, such as Burning Bush, Norway Maple, Japanese Barberry, Yellow Iris and all cultivars of these species. Businesses that sign on to the Voluntary Code of Conduct will be publicly recognized with PlantWise signs, window decals for their business vehicles, on The Nature Conservancy and Green Works web sites and other venues so consumers know that their nursery is doing its part. Gardeners can participate by choosing native plants, and asking their favorite nursery to sign on.

Sign Voluntary Code of Conduct Electronically – Click Here

Download Voluntary Code of Conduct

The following is a list of Green Works members and Vermont Certified Horticulturists who have signed the Voluntary Code of Conduct:

Addison County Landscaping, Inc.: Dwight Dunning - View Member Profile

Andrea Morgante Landscape Service: Andrea Morgante - View Member Profile

Ann Milovsoroff: Ann Milovsoroff - View Member Profile

Aquarius Landscape Sprinklers, Inc.: Richard J. Villamil, Jr. - View Member Profile

Arboreal Habitats, Ltd.: Adam W. Buursma - View Member Profile

Barber Farm, Inc.: Charlie Siegchrist - View Member Profile

Cambium Design: Toby Ferdyn - View Member Profile

Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.: Nate Carr - View Member Profile

E and E Horticultural Services: Elaine Gambone and Eric Johnsen - View Member Profile