LEAF Offers Scholarships


Since 1972, the California Landscape Contractors Association Auxiliary has offered scholarships to college and university students majoring in landscape related programs. In 1988, the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF) was formed to carry on the tradition of awarding financial aid to deserving students. MORE >>.

In 2024, LEAF’s scholarship selection committee reviewed 21 scholarship applications. Their selection criteria included career goals, outside activities, work experience, financial need, letters of recommendation and GPA in their major. Ten scholarships were awarded. MORE >>.


LEAF Scholarship Selection Chair Marianne Estournes re-unites with LEAF scholarship recipient Hallie Schmidt during CLCA's 2019 Annual Convention. Hallie is now the owner and chief designer of Tierra Madre.

LEAF Scholarship Selection Chair Marianne Estournes re-unites with LEAF scholarship recipient Hallie Schmidt during CLCA’s 2019 Annual Convention. Hallie is now the owner and chief designer of Tierra Madre.

Supporting LEAF

Education is the key to your industry’s future! Through LEAF you can help foster this growth. Send your tax-deductible donation to invest in a dream by providing for your future as well as theirs! Contact Sandra Giarde at CLCA, (916) 830-2780.

Or, mail donations to:
California Landscape Contractors Association
ATTN: LEAF Scholarships
1491 River Park Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815

Contributions allow scholarships to grow and help give students the assistance needed to achieve their educational goals. View the current fund report. You can also contribute to LEAF via your will through the LEAF Legacy program.

2024 SCHOLARSHIPS

Seeking to promote and support the future of the green industry, the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation has awarded eight scholarships to deserving green industry students.
The eight scholarships total $78,000. MORE>

LEAF TRUSTEES

Chair

Mary Cohen
Auxiliary Life Member
(408) 981-2955

Treasurer

Wendy Emeterio
Specialized Landscape Management
(805) 520-7590

Secretary

Kim Ayala, CIC, CISR, CPIW
LCIS, A Division of World
(800) 628-8735 ext. 511

Scholarship Selection Chair

Marianne Estournes
Gardenworks, Inc.
(707) 591-4320

CLCA Representative

Lebo Newman
(775) 857-4333

CLCA Representative

Jon Singley
Blue Spruce Landscape
(408) 559-8800

Associate Member Representative

Chris McNairy
Hunter Industries
(707) 933-0488