Garden Centre Association (GCA) members will hear from a trio of sustainability experts during a free webinar this month (June 2024).

The GCA is hosting the online event on June 26 from 3-4.30pm and it will cover water conservation and how to navigate environmental policies and initiatives in what is potentially a ‘green minefield’.

Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive, says: “All members and associate members are welcome to attend this free online event, which promises to be highly informative and very useful. We’ll be focusing on a few elements related to sustainability and we’ll have a detailed discussion with the help of our three knowledgeable expert guest speakers. 

“Sam Aharchi from Great British Water and Dr Nicholas Cryer from the RHS will cover water conservation, use and procurement, our third speaker Ben Duckworth from Greenarc will discuss ‘navigating the green minefield’, and how to work through the issues related to becoming more sustainable as a business.

“We hear from a lot of our members who are concerned about getting it right with their environmental plans and activities, and we’re hoping Ben can give us all some guidance on this. Garden centres are keen to develop meaningful policies that really benefit the environment and that aren’t a ‘green wash’. Our webinar is a good place to hear from experts and to start meaningful discussions. We’d love to see you all there!”

The webinar will be chaired by Tammy Woodhouse from Millbrook Garden Centres and takes place on Wednesday, June 26 from 3-4.30pm.

It is hoped there will also be an opportunity for attendees to impart their stories and ideas as well and to ask questions too. 

Peter adds: “If there is time at the end, members can share with each other any general experiences they may have had or anything they have recently learnt. The expectation is that the webinar will last for no more than 90 minutes. Please email laura@gca.org.uk if you would like to attend, so that we can send you the invitation link.”

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further details, please visit www.gca.org.uk.