Chris Angelo

Stay Green Inc. of Santa Clarita has won a pair of awards in the California Landscape Contractors Association’s prestigious Trophy Awards competition, in which the judges recognized Stay Green’s excellence in categories for public landscaped areas and large commercial landscape maintenance.

“We’re so proud of the great work our professional team has done throughout Southern California, and these awards from the CLCA, which is highly respected in our industry, validate the hard work and attention to detail our team brings to every job,” said Chris Angelo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stay Green Inc.

The Santa Clarita-based landscape management firm took first-place honors in the category, “Public Works/Sports Parks & Athletic Facilities,” for its landscaping work in the Northbridge Community (Zone T-46). In this category, entries consist of properties landscaped through the use of public funds.

Stay Green also was honored with an outstanding achievement award in the Large Commercial Maintenance category for landscaping done for the Alta Vista Homeowners Association. The Large Commercial category includes properties with monthly landscaping contracts ranging from $3,001 to $6,000.

The CLCA is a nonprofit trade organization consisting of approximately 3,200 licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors throughout the state. The Trophy Awards were presented in November during the association’s annual convention on Maui.

Judging criteria for the competition included the healthy appearance of landscaping, proper irrigation and water management, proper trimming and pruning, quality of workmanship, and the general appearance of the property. Entrants first submitted photos of the property being entered in the competition, then entries were personally inspected by CLCA’s judges — without the entrants present.

Grant Clack, Stay Green’s Operations Manager in charge of the Northbridge landscaping, said his six-member team utilizes maintenance techniques that are water-efficient, including mulching, and also promote the natural beauty of the plants in the zone, which is maintained under contract with the City of Santa Clarita.

“It’s all selective or hand pruning,” Clack said. “It’s healthier for the plant material and it keeps the shrubs looking natural instead of giving it the lollipop look. It takes a lot more time but it is healthier for the plants.”

Kevin Cawley, the Account Manager who oversees the five-member team maintaining common areas for the Alta Vista Homeowners Association in northern Valencia, similarly said a patient approach to maintenance was a contributing factor to the CLCA’s recognition.

“It’s our crew’s attention to detail,” Cawley said. “We have a lot of colorful plant material there, like iceberg roses, and just a nice mix of different plants. It really brings an extra ‘pop’ to the overall look of the community.”

Also, Cawley said, the terrain and landscaping are varied in Alta Vista, with different types of turf, slopes and plant materials. “This one has a lot of everything,” Cawley said.

Angelo joined Cawley and Clack in crediting the entire Stay Green team for the awards.

“We’re very proud that the CLCA has honored Stay Green’s work in Northbridge and Alta Vista,” Angelo said. “Every one of the more than 250 professionals on our team shares in these awards, as they strive to provide excellent quality and service to each client, every day.”

Stay Green Inc. provides award-winning landscape maintenance, tree care, and plant health care services for premiere residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout Southern California.