OKEMOS, Mich. — Protests like the one in Lansing on Wednesday put undue stress on first responders, says the Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association, and members were encouraged not to participate.
The association, based in Okemos, issued a statement that mostly argued that member businesses should have status as essential businesses and be allowed to get back to work, but Wednesday’s protests were not endorsed by the association.
“We do not support or endorse the public protests planned for this week and have encouraged our members not to participate in these events,” said the statement.
Spring is a critical time for nurseries and landscape companies, said the association, and many functions should be considered essential. Mowing, pruning, and controlling weeds addresses security issues, while treatments control disease-spreading pests like ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Maintenance of trees to avoid wind problems and keeping public and private driveways clear was another function the association identified as essential.
The statement pointed out that without such maintenance, potential problems will just be worse later.
