The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA), a nonprofit trade organization of California landscapers, honored 23 local contractors for their beautification efforts in landscape design, maintenance, and renovation at the 2011 Beautification Awards on June 24. Categories included residential and commercial landscape maintenance and construction, water features, outdoor lighting and water saving, California-friendly irrigation. This year’s big winner was The Brickman Group, winning six awards for its projects, including the prestigious Judge’s Award for the maintenance of 13 acres at La Jolla Country Day School. “The Brickman Group San Diego division has 10 branches,” said regional manager Jim Kelley. “Every year, each branch sets a goal of one project entry, and we challenge ourselves to turn in some of our best work. There’s a friendly competition among our groups.” The Brickman Group picked up the project at La Jolla Country Day School from the school’s in-house maintenance team a year and a half ago. The two have since worked in a collaborative effort to maintain the aesthetics and walkability of the school’s grounds. Kelley emphasized the leadership of the school’s head groundskeeper, Lee Sawyer, who oversees the grounds crew. “He pushes our guys,” he said. “He’s a great advocate not only for the school, but also for our team.” The Brickman Group won the same Judge’s Award, the CLCA’s top maintenance award, two years in a row. The same branch was honored last year for the maintenance of the 17-acre grounds at The Plaza at La Jolla Village. Other local winners with beautification projects in La Jolla included Lansker’s Landscape Design for the Davis residence in La Jolla and Torrey Pines Landscape for residences in Rancho Santa Fe. For more information about award-winners or information on how to choose a contractor, call (888) 900-2522, or visit www.clcasandiego.org.