Renewal & Remembrance, presented by NALP and powered by Hustler and DeWalt, served as a day for landscape professionals to step away from their routines and leave two of the nation’s cherished grounds better than they found them.
Approximately 400 volunteers from 30 different states gathered on July 14, 2025, to work with the National Park Service at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).
More than 150 landscape professionals spread 250 yards of woodchips, pruned dozens of cherry trees, and removed stumps and an outdated fence at the FDR Memorial.
“It means the world to me, having them come in with this army and taking on a project of this grandeur in such a short amount of time; it’s work that would have otherwise likely been cost-prohibitive for us,” says Matthew Morrison, an arborist with the National Park Service. “We’re understaffed. We don’t have enough finances so we kind of let some of our memorials stay in the condition they’re in. When NALP comes in, we can really turbocharge them and bring them up in a way that it would otherwise take us a year or two to do.”
Morrison notes this project was particularly needed as the soil on site was worn out and compacted.
“Putting down four tractor-trailer loads of wood chips immediately starts rejuvenating the soil,” Morrison says. “The wood chips hold moisture in. They protect the soil from the wind and from the sun. They insulate the tree roots from extreme temperatures, hot and cold, and they recondition the soil.”
Meanwhile, more than 250 landscape professionals worked to apply 22 tons of lime to 20 acres, planted flowers, installed tree lightning protection and completed landscape and hardscape improvements at ANC.
“The help is absolutely appreciated to get some of these projects done that we fall behind on here at the cemetery,” says Craig Gray, a horticulturist with Arlington National Cemetery. “I like to see some of the more visible projects done, like the parking deck and the Wheaton lot, but equally important is the liming and the lightning protection in the trees.”
Gray is extremely grateful to all the volunteers’ efforts.
“It’s hard work,” Gray says. “I saw it all day today. There’s a lot of digging, and the soil here is not always the best. It’s over 100 years old. A lot of it is undisturbed for a long time. Many thanks to all the hard work. It’s always hot in July.”
Gray says many of the projects NALP has done over the years have a long-lasting effect at ANC, such as the brick pavers installed around a flagpole last year.
“They look great today, so they’ll look great for many years to come,” Gray says. “Hardscape projects like that are very lasting and very difficult because it’s a lot of labor.”
Additionally, a children’s program was held at ANC. Volunteers’ children planted perennials at the Receiving Vault and visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This children’s program has also made an impact on individuals over the years, as Jackson Gray, a product marketing manager with Toro, says he participated in 2007 as a 10-year-old when his father volunteered.
Gray says he recalls visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“The grounds you’re working on, even as a young kid, it hits you a little bit differently,” Gray says. “You get a different perspective right away.”
Now at 28, he says it is phenomenal to be back and bring things full circle almost two decades later.
“Honestly, it was really one of the reasons I got into this profession,” Gray says. “It was one of the first events I saw with all these major manufacturers here and how we really do make a difference to grounds and people’s lives with how things look.”
Weed Man was one organization that brought a large contingent of franchisees and employees to volunteer this year.
“Our team members feel incredibly proud to be part of something so meaningful,” says Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man. “They understand the importance of honoring those who served, and being able to do that alongside others in the green industry makes the experience even more powerful. There’s a strong sense of connection — both to the mission and to each other. One of the special things about a franchise organization is the way we can give back to our local communities, while also coming together to give back on a national level.”
Weed Man also worked with NALP to secure appointments for them to lobby on the hill this week.
“Since we know we can rely on NALP to coordinate Renewal & Remembrance, we were able to focus our efforts on our internal meetings, which in turn helps us all stay engaged and present throughout the week’s events,” Lemcke says.
Lemcke says it is critical for businesses to connect with their elected officials so they can better understand this profession and the work they do.
“From tariffs to taxes, inflation to supply chain challenges, we’re speaking with elected officials to help them understand headwinds we face in an effort to help them craft better, more impactful solutions for our nation’s businesses,” Lemcke says.
Many thanks to our Elite partners: Hustler/DeWalt, Aspire, Caterpillar, and STIHL. Additionally, thank you to our gold partners Carter Machinery, Hunter, John Deere and SiteOne Landscape Supply and silver partners Envu, Ewing Outdoor Supply, Greenworks Commercial, Real Green by WorkWave and Toro.
Not only do these brands support this event monetarily, but they also volunteer alongside our contractors and provide the necessary materials and equipment.
