activities · 16
what they do
direct service · 8
- Administers Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) certification program Professional Certification & Credentialed TrainingOffers the Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) certification program, including an online study guide course to prepare candidates, aimed at increasing horticultural knowledge and professional standards in the nursery industry.
- Conferences and Annual Meetings Industry Conference & Networking EventsOrganizes and hosts the annual SHADE (Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education) Conference and an annual meeting with presentations on the state of the association and the green industry.
- Conferences and Annual Meetings Industry Conference & Networking EventsOrganizes and hosts the annual SHADE (Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education) Conference, including the 2025 event in Glendale, AZ. Also hosts an annual meeting with presentations on the state of the association and the green industry.
- Industry Publications Environmental Industry PublicationsPublishes Southwest Horticulture magazine bi-monthly, circulating it to 1,700 members, providing news, educational content, and updates on industry and legislative issues. Also publishes an annual Directory and Buyers’ Guide and a Container Grown Tree Guide.
- Industry Publications and Information Dissemination Environmental Industry PublicationsPublishes Southwest Horticulture magazine bi-monthly, providing news, educational content, and updates on industry and legislative issues to 1,700 members. Also publishes an annual Directory and Buyers’ Guide and monthly electronic ANA E-Updates. Additionally, it publishes a Container Grown Tree Guide to assist growers, buyers, and architects.
- Member Communications Member Newsletter & Magazine DistributionDistributes monthly electronic ANA E-Updates to members.
- Organizes annual SHADE Conference and continuing education programsHosts the annual SHADE (Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education) conference, such as the 2025 event held in Glendale, AZ, and offers continuing education units (CEUs) accredited by professional bodies including ISA, LACES, GCSAA, and others to support professional development in the green industry.
- Publishes Southwest Horticulture magazine and member communications Environmental Industry PublicationsPublishes the bi-monthly Southwest Horticulture magazine, distributed to 1,700 members, and circulates monthly electronic ANA E-Updates, providing news, legislative updates, safety programs, and industry developments; offers complimentary subscriptions to members and charges non-members $50 annually.
advocacy · 3
- Advocacy and RepresentationProvides legislative and regulatory representation for the green industry in Arizona.
- Legislative and Regulatory RepresentationProvides legislative and regulatory representation for the green industry.
- Provides legislative and regulatory advocacy Legislative Monitoring & Advocacy for Industry ProfessionalsRepresents the nursery industry through legislative and regulatory advocacy at the state and national levels, ensuring member interests are addressed in policy discussions.
capacity building · 5
- Hosts annual meetings and recognition eventsConducts an annual meeting featuring updates on the association and green industry, and hosts an annual event to recognize scholarship recipients and award winners, fostering community and professional recognition.
- Professional Certification and Continuing Education Professional Certification & Credentialed TrainingOffers the Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) program certification and an online study guide course for the exam. Provides continuing education units (CEUs) through professional accreditation bodies including IA, ISA, LACES, PMD, AzDA, and GCSAA.
- Professional Certification and Education Professional Certification & Credentialed TrainingOffers the Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) program certification, including an online study guide course, and provides continuing education units (CEUs) through various professional accreditation bodies.
- Publishes industry resources and guides Environmental Industry PublicationsProduces and distributes the annual Directory and Buyers’ Guide listing members and green industry resources, along with the Container Grown Tree Guide to support growers, buyers, and architects in design and purchasing decisions.
- Scholarship and Award Recognition Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsHosts an annual event to recognize scholarship recipients and award winners within the industry.
strategies · 16
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy and Representation industry_advocacyThe organization advocates for the horticulture industry by representing the interests of its members before policymakers and government agencies, utilizing both grassroots efforts and direct engagement with officials to influence issues affecting their businesses.
- Advocate for members through direct and grassroots representation grassroots advocacyThe organization advances the interests of nursery and horticulture businesses by engaging in advocacy at local, state, and federal levels, including direct representation before policymakers and mobilizing grassroots efforts to connect professionals with elected officials.
- Business Growth Support for MembersHelps nursery industry members expand their customer base and grow their businesses through association-facilitated resources and market development opportunities.
- Defining and Promoting the Green Industry green_industry_definitionArticulates a comprehensive definition of the green industry to unify stakeholders and advance the sector’s role in enhancing human environments through plant-based services and products.
- Deliver specialized education for industry advancement specialized-education-tracksThe organization enhances professional capacity by offering targeted educational programming in key areas such as landscape design, tree health, pest management, and water efficiency, ensuring members can meet evolving industry demands.
- Facilitate professional networking and development professional-development-networkingThe organization fosters professional recognition and growth within the nursery industry by creating networking opportunities and hosting social and educational events that connect members with peers and industry leaders.
- Horticultural Therapy and Well-being Promotion horticultural-therapyPromotes hands-on planting activities as a therapeutic practice to improve individual well-being and quality of life, extending the mission of horticulture beyond commerce into personal health.
- Industry Advocacy and Representation grassroots advocacyThe organization advocates on behalf of nursery and horticulture businesses by engaging in grassroots efforts and direct representation with policymakers and regulatory agencies at local, state, and federal levels to influence decisions affecting the industry.
- Industry Knowledge Dissemination and Standardization information_dissemination_and_standardizationThe organization aims to increase industry knowledge and promote a professional image by publishing academic research, communicating member information, and providing standardized specifications for products to ensure consistent practices in selling, purchasing, and design.
- Industry Standardization and Professional Image Building industry_standardizationEstablishes and disseminates standardized practices—such as specifications for container-grown trees—and promotes a professional industry image through research publication and member communication to improve market consistency and credibility.
- Professional Development and Networking professional_development_networkingThe organization fosters professional growth and industry recognition by facilitating networking opportunities between members and industry leaders, and by organizing social events that support professional development within the nursery industry.
- Professional Development and Networking professional-development-networkingSupports the growth and recognition of nursery professionals through structured networking events, educational programming, and platforms for peer and industry leader engagement to strengthen business development and industry cohesion.
- Promote the green industry and its therapeutic value horticultural-therapyThe organization defines and promotes the green industry’s broad role in improving human environments and supports horticultural therapy as a means to enhance personal well-being through planting and engagement with plants.
- Specialized Education and Technical Training specialized-education-tracksDelivers targeted educational content through focused tracks in landscape design, tree health, pest management, and water efficiency to build technical expertise and professional capacity within the green industry.
- Specialized Educational Programming specialized_educationThe organization enhances member expertise and industry standards by offering targeted educational programming through specialized tracks covering key areas such as landscape design, tree health, pest management, and water management.
- Standardize industry practices and disseminate knowledge industry_standardizationThe organization strengthens industry professionalism and operational consistency by publishing research, sharing member information, and establishing standardized specifications for plant products to support uniform practices in design, sale, and installation.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Annual Directory and Buyers’ Guide
A comprehensive reference listing ANA members, green industry resources, and an ADA rule overview.
Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) program
An online study program and certification exam designed to increase horticultural knowledge for nursery and landscaping industry professionals, covering topics such as annuals, perennials, diseases, fertilizers, soils, and landscape design.
Container Grown Tree Guide
A publication intended to assist growers, buyers, and architects with selling, purchasing, and design implementation of container grown trees, specifically for sizes from 15 gallon to 48 inch boxes grown in the southwestern United States.
SHADE Conference
An annual educational conference for the horticulture industry featuring multiple track options on topics like design, tree health, pest management, and water management, offering continuing education units.
Southwest Horticulture magazine
A bi-monthly publication that provides news, educational content, industry and legislative updates, and general trade information to members and subscribers.
relationships · 27
who they work with
- ANAFUND Partner — ANAFUND has a representative, Cindy Riding, on the board of the Arizona Nursery Association.
- ASU Partner — Participated in the 2025 SHADE Conference marketplace with a virtual reality exhibit.
- AmericanHort Partner — Partners with AmericanHort for advocacy efforts, providing a platform for horticulture professionals to contact elected officials.
- AmericanHort Partner — The Arizona Nursery Association promotes AmericanHort's advocacy efforts for the horticulture industry.
- Arizona Community Tree Council Partner — Participated in the 2025 SHADE Conference, recognized as a booth award winner.
- Arizona Golf Course Superintendents Association Partner — Circulates its magazine to members of this association.
- Arizona Landscape Contractors Association Partner — Circulates its magazine to members of this association.
- Arizona Society of Landscape Architects Partner — Circulates its magazine to members of this association.
- Arizona State Florists Association Partner — Circulates its magazine to members of this association.
- AzDA Network — Accreditation partner for continuing education units at SHADE Conference.
- Bellagio Horticulture Staff Partner — Delivered keynote presentation at the 2025 SHADE Conference.
- Berridge Nursery Partner — Christine Fortman, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with Berridge Nursery.
- Civano Growers Partner — Les Shipley, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with Civano Growers.
- EWING Outdoor Supply Partner — Jack York, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with EWING Outdoor Supply.
- Farm Bureau Financial Services Partner — Preferred insurance provider offering members various coverages and financial planning services.
- Fertizona Partner — Tim Gavelek, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with Fertizona.
- GCSAA Network — Accreditation partner for continuing education units at SHADE Conference.
- IA Network — Accreditation partner for continuing education units at SHADE Conference.
- ISA Network — Accreditation partner for continuing education units at SHADE Conference.
- LACES Network — Accreditation partner for continuing education units at SHADE Conference.
- Maricopa Community Colleges Partner — Partners to offer the Arizona Certified Nursery Professional (ACNP) online course.
- Mesa Community College Partner — Peter Conden, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with Mesa Community College.
- PMD Network — Accreditation partner for continuing education units at SHADE Conference.
- Plant-Something.org Partner — Collaborative initiative promoting planting activities, co-branded with Arizona Nursery Association.
- State Farm Stadium Partner — Hosted a pre-tour event for attendees of the 2025 SHADE Conference.
- Watters Garden Center Partner — Ken Lain, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with Watters Garden Center.
- Western Tree Company Partner — Hunter Hawkins, a director of the Arizona Nursery Association, is associated with Western Tree Company.