In This Issue
Auxiliary Report
Brr! It’s cold out there. Cold weather and rain will bring an abundance of spring flowers to our gardens. Now that Girvin is retired (yeah!), he has been busy in the garden. I expect an awesome display come April.
This is a quiet time of year for the Auxiliary. Our first meeting of 2026 is Wednesday, February 4 at 5:30 at Pompeii Ristorante at 100 State Street in Los Altos. Paperless Post invitations went out some time ago. If you are interested in joining us, please call me at the number listed below and I will include you. I encourage everyone to attend and learn more about the Auxiliary and what we do. A new year brings resolutions and hopefully trying new things. Come join our small but fun group as we make plans for 2026.
Shake off the winter doldrums and start getting ready for spring. I hope the spring season will be bringing positive energy and good things to you, your family and business. Happy Valentine’s Day. Have a great February.
Lesley Peters
Garden Designer
650-444-4580
gpland@sbcglobal.net
New Year, New CLCA State President, New Executive Board of Directors
Alex Salazar, CWM and the state board were sworn into office during the association’s annual Leadership Conference, which was held in Santa Ana January 20-21, 2026.
Joining Salazar on the association’s 2026 Board of Directors are:
- President-Elect Andrew Johnson, Johnson’s Tree & Garden Service, LLC
- Immediate Past President Lindsay Ono, QWEL, Bakersfield College
- Secretary-Treasurer Paul Hansen, Southwest Landscape, Inc.
- Director of Education Evan Moffitt, CLT, PCA, Farm Supply Company
- Director of Events Ana Cooper, Frank and Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc.
- Director of Legislation Sal Hernandez, MBA, ICPI, GroXmart Solutions
- Director of Membership Damion Rosby, Golden Gate Truck Center
- Chapter Presidents Council Co-Chair (North) Kristin Gallego, Artistic Landscape
- Chapter Presidents Council Co-Chair (South) William Valdez, Free Flow Products, LLC
- Associate Member Director Jeff Calhoun, Hunter Industries/FX Luminaire
- CLCA Executive Director Sandra Giarde, CAE
Salazar and the board were sworn into office during the association’s annual Leadership Conference, which was held in Santa Ana January 20-21, 2026.
In Memoriam
Camille Jean-Marie Domine
September 18,1934 – December 2, 2025
A leader and past president of the SFBA Chapter, Camille Domine passed away at the beautiful age of 91. Born in Courchapoix, Switzerland, he emigrated to the United States in 1958, when he was just 24 years old, and eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. With determination, strong work ethic and steadiness born of his Swiss roots, he started Western Landscaping and created beautiful and award-winning landscapes for 60 years.
Story has it, Camille and Alice went to a party at Swiss Park in Newark with their respective dates who didn’t like to dance and who eventually left the party. Camille noticed Alice and asked her to dance. They danced all evening and for the next 60+ years. In their 60 years of marriage, they welcomed eight children and twelve grandchildren.
Camille joined CLCA in 1970. He served as treasurer in 1980, vice president in 1981 and ultimately served as president in 1982 and 1983. He was awarded Regular Member of the Year in 1983. Camille and Alice were active members who regularly attended Chapter events and State Conventions. The Domine Family was also well represented at Chapter picnics and could be seen playing horseshoes, participating in the cooking and baking competitions and organizing the kids’ games.
Camille retired in 2025, closing a lifetime of hard work that defined him. His soft voice, kind demeanor and sweet disposition will be remembered and missed and we will continue to support his family as they remain treasured members of the SFBA Family.
John Holger Lyngso
April 18, 1928 – December 25, 2025
With an infectious mischievous smile and spreading light and laughter wherever he went, John Lyngso was the last of CLCA’s “Old Guard”. At the spectacular age of 97, John was reunited with his precious Mary on Christmas Day. They were married on August 28, 1950 and Mary predeceased him in 2020. In their 70 years of marriage they welcomed three beautiful daughters, five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren (with one on the way), and two great-great grandchildren.
Born on 1928 to immigrants from Denmark, the Bay Area has always been home to John. At just 16, driven by a sense of duty and adventure, John enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine in1944, serving as an oiler aboard the U.S. Army tug LT-518. He was a World War II veteran and, following his service, John continued to embody the values of hard work and perseverance. He was a lifelong entrepreneur and beloved member of the San Mateo County community and CLCA.
John and Mary started Lyngso Garden Materials in 1953 and joined CLCA in 1959. In 1972, John worked and donated material to the first Chapter Project at the We Care Center and was the first Chapter Member of the Year recipient in that same year. They continued their involvement in CLCA well passed John’s retirement in the early 1980s. After retirement, John and Mary enjoyed traveling in their motor home and John captained boats well into his 80s, including a 2012 550-mile voyage from Ensenada, Mexico to San Francisco to bring home his final vessel, an N37 trawler named Lena. He and Mary remained active in CLCA, attended Chapter events and even hosted some of them. Lyngso Garden Materials continues to be an active supplier.
Should you wish to honor John and Mary personally, you may donate to their Memorial Fund held in the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF), c/o CLCA, 1545 River Park Dr, Suite 525, Sacramento, CA 95815; Please note “Lyngso Memorial Fund” on your check. John’s legacy is one of faith, dedication and boundless curiosity and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Upcoming Events
CLCA Defending Zone Zero Webinar
Feb 18 @3-4 p.m.
CLCA Member: Free!
Non-Member: $50
New regulations for FireSafe Landscaping: What do you need to know?
The new year brings new regulations for firesafe landscaping. Foremost is Assembly Bill 3074, which places new restrictions on landscaping within five feet of a structure — the so-called zone zero or ember-resistant zone.
This is the area that fire science says is most likely to ignite and burn a home if combustible material is present.
Amongst the prohibited: Ornamental plants, native plants, shrubs & branches, combustible mulches and synthetic lawn.
In this fast-paced webinar, keynote speaker and CLCA President Elect Andrew Johnson of Fire Safe Marin and Johnson’s Tree and Garden will connect fire science with hands-on landscaping tips and strategies. He’ll share what you need to know about AB 3074 compliance, and provide a firefighter’s perspective of what makes an effective landscape.
In addition to AB 3074 compliance measures, attendees will learn how to:
- Create a defensible landscape
- Integrate fire-resistant hardscapes and plants into the landscape
- Understand the impact of prevailing winds and the importance of landscape hardening
- Communicate effectively with clients about effective firesafe landscaping
SFBA Chapter Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, February 26th @ 5pm
Peninsula Building Materials, Mountain View
CLCA Members are welcome to attend
Contact Jackie Marsey – jackie@paradiselg.com
CLCA SFBA Chapter Project
Get ready to dig in and make a difference! CLCA SFBA is excited to announce our upcoming chapter project, Backyard Habitat at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. This special project will take place over two volunteer days (dates coming soon!).
Volunteers Needed! Opportunities include:
- Irrigation installation & Plant installation
- Event-day coordination and team support
If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to:
Jackie Marsey
jackie@paradiselg.com
408-691-9358Top of Form
2026 Partners for Success Opportunity
The Partners for Success Program is an opportunity to stand out, shine bright and leave a lasting impression!
As a Partner, you will enjoy exclusive benefits, including complimentary general membership meetings, prominent logo recognition on our website and monthly e-newsletter, and so much more. Be part of a thriving community that values collaboration and growth!
This opportunity is about more than benefits—it is an opportunity to be part of a dynamic community that is passionate about success, collaboration, and making a real impact. LEARN about the many benefits and SIGN UP by March 1st.
Partner Spotlight
The Month’s Partner Spotlight is CLCA Insurance Solutions.
At CLCA Insurance Solutions, the members of California Landscape Contractors Association can find a total insurance solution. We are here working hard to keep your exposures to risk to a minimum. CLCA’s ONLY endorsed program provides members competitive insurance placement while providing support beyond the quoting and binding experience. Our extensive knowledge of insurance, expertise in risk management, dedicated and personal service enables us to be effective in addressing clients’ needs and develop appropriate solutions to fill those needs. Whether you need a quotation, to make a policy change, have a question about billing, or need to report a claim; our professional service staff will be there to assist you.
CONTACT CLCA Insurance Solutions today.
