RALEIGH, N.C., May 10, 2017 – The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. (NCNLA) has launched a new consumer resource website, NCGreenprints.com. With comprehensive instructions for improving outdoor spaces of all sizes, NCGreenprints.com highlights the economic, social and health and wellness benefits of landscaping. NCGreenprints.com was created to provide consumers with a one-stop resource for enhancing their outdoor spaces with locally grown plants.

At NCGreenprints.com, users can access “Greenprints,” which are step-by-step project guides that apply to any type of outdoor space. All Greenprints were developed to be easily filtered by various categories, including skill, budget, time and residence type, allowing users to choose a project suited for their specific needs. In an effort to encourage users to visit community nurseries and buy locally grown plants, each Greenprint is printable and mobile-friendly to serve as an aid when shopping for the necessary tools to finish a successful landscaping project.

In addition, the website’s video library houses short segments featuring Emmy Award-winning television host and instructor Bryce Lane (In the Garden with Bryce Lane), professor emeritus at North Carolina State University. These videos teach beginners and experienced gardeners alike about the importance of landscaping and offer helpful guides and quick tips for completing projects. Lastly, NCGreenprints.com includes a seasonal plant resource list that educates consumers on the best types of plants to utilize throughout the year.

NCGreenprints.com was made possible with support from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. NCNLA’s vertically integrated membership of more than 1,000 companies includes growers, landscape firms, retailers and allied suppliers.

“We are working to remove barriers, both real and perceived, so that the next generation of homeowners in North Carolina can make ‘do-it-yourself’ investments in their outdoor living space that provide increasing monetary, environmental and quality of life benefits over time,” said Corey Connors, NCNLA executive vice president. “Through NC Greenprints, we’re able to equip consumers from all walks of life with the information and resources necessary to walk into one of our state’s 450+ independent garden centers and shop with confidence either on their own or with the assistance of one of 2,400-plus North Carolina Certified Plant Professionals.”

NEW MEDIA CONTENT:

NC Greenprints on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/NCGreenprints/

NC Greenprints on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/NCGreenprints

ABOUT NC GREENPRINTS:

NC Greenprints is an education and advocacy campaign designed to help make landscaping achievable and successful for consumers, no matter their skill level, budget or outdoor space.

By creating resources, including step-by-step guides, videos, tips and tricks – as well as access to certified professionals who can help get the job done – our goal is to create a community of landscapers who embrace the benefits and value of landscaping in their outdoor spaces for years to come. For more information on NC Greenprints, please visit http://ncgreenprints.com.

ABOUT NCNLA:

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) is a 501 (c)(5) non-profit membership organization of firms interested in the welfare of North Carolina’s green industry. NCNLA’s vertically-integrated membership of more than 1,000 companies includes growers, landscape firms, retailers and allied suppliers. The goal of the organization is to benefit its members’ economic, professional and personal growth. North Carolina’s green industry directly employs more than 53,000 individuals across the state, providing an economic impact of $6.875 billion annually. For more information about NCNLA, visit http://ncnla.com.

ABOUT NC CERTIFIED PLANT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

The North Carolina Certified Plant Professional (CPP) certification is a written and plant identification test that seeks to recognize proficiency in the green industry's workforce, upgrade the status of industry professionals and provide the public with a means of identifying qualified green industry professionals. The two-part test includes a written examination that identifies knowledge and skills needed while working in a green industry operation, and a live plant identification examination that requires hands-on knowledge of a wide pallet of trees, shrubs and plants found across the state’s diverse landscape. Since its inception in 1983, there have been more than 2,400 industry professionals that have earned the North Carolina CPP accreditation.