Those throngs of people frantically installing mini landscapes near the Hilton Fort Collins south of the Colorado State University (CSU) campus in the middle of March aren’t trying to hurry spring. They’re simply participating in the 43rd annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC).
The NCLC returns to CSU for the fourth time March 20 through 23; the Fort Collins campus last hosted the spirited event in 2014. The event, sponsored by landscape industry leaders including STIHL, John Deere and Caterpillar, is a four-day affair featuring the best and brightest collegiate landscape students from 70 universities across North America.
Roughly 1,500 students will descend on campus, as well as throughout town, to compete in 3D exterior landscape design, irrigation assembly, plant problem diagnosis and sales presentation, to name just a few categories. More than 30 competitions cover every aspect a working landscape professional would encounter out in the field.
“This event brings the best students in the industry across the nation and Canada for an exciting networking competition and event,” says Zachary Johnson, professor of landscape business, landscape design and contracting at CSU. “It’s just a great opportunity for students to experience what’s out there.”
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