About Us

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is an international association serving lawn care professionals, landscape management, design/build/installation professionals, and interior plantscapers. PLANET provides its members with a good business foundation to help them evaluate, plan, and better manage their companies. Member firms have direct access to marketing tools, industry-specific business publications, updates on legislative issues, and networking opportunities that can assist them in becoming more profitable.

PLANET also has a strong certification program. Becoming "Landscape Industry Certified" through PLANET provides a sense of accomplishment, increased respect and recognition from industry peers, and perhaps most important, a way to showcase your skills and knowledge to your customers. Now with more than 4,000 active certificants and testing sites across North America, the program is increasing in prestige, popularity, and accessibility every year.

PLANET offers several certification programs, including:

• Landscape Industry Certified Manager
• Landscape Industry Certified Technician — Interior or Exterior
• Landscape Industry Certified Horticultural Technician
• Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Manager
• Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Technician

PLANET emerged on January 1, 2005, when the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) joined forces to become a more encompassing network of green industry professionals.

PLCAA, organized in 1979, was a global trade association for residential and commercial lawn care professionals. ALCA, founded in 1961, was the global trade association for landscape maintenance, installation, and design/build contractors; and interior plantscapers.

PLANET members show their commitment to caring for our nation's green spaces through their participation in national PLANET events like the PLANET Day of Service which takes place each year on Earth Day, and at Renewal and Remembrance which takes place at Arlington National Cemetery every summer.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With nearly 3,500 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. Some of these professionals have taken the extra step of becoming certified through PLANET and bear the distinction of being known as Landscape Industry Certified.