Two Western New Yorkers will receive statewide honors from the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association (NYSNLA).
Steven S. Sypniewski, Lifetime CNLP, will receive the CNLP of the Year Award.
Carolyn A. Stanko, CNLP, will receive the President’s Award.
They are both members of PLANT WNY, the Western New York trade association for the professional landscape and nursery trades. They will receive their honors on Aug. 21, the opening day at the Great New York State Fair.
The awards recognize the significant industry contributions made by individuals and member companies.
CNLP of the Year
Steve Sypniewski is a Lifetime CNLP, ISA Certified Arborist, and a NYS Certified Pesticide Applicator. He has over 30 years of experience in the green industry, including having his own company, Hilltop Landscape & Design.
Employed at SUNY Buffalo State University since 2011, Sypniewski is the Assistant Campus Planner & Arboretum Manager.
He is a director of PLANT WNY and is an active committee member of Plantasia and the Education and Trade Show. He is a presenter at PLANT WNY’s Education Days and at Plantasia. In addition, Sypniewski is on the NYSNLA Marketing Committee and NYSNLA Annual Conference & Expo 2024 Committee.
President’s Award
Carolyn Stanko, a Senior Lifetime CNLP, is the Horticulture Program Coordinator at SUNY Niagara. She has been with the university since 2007.
Stanko received SUNY’s 2022-2023 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and received the 2018 PLANT WNY Person of the Year Award.
She is a presenter at PLANT WNY’s Education Days and at Plantasia.
She and her students participate in Plantasia and attend PLANT WNY’s Education Days. Participation in PLANT WNY events prepares her students for successful employment in the green industry.
Stanko coordinates PLANT WNY’s CNLP review courses and administers the CNLP exam.
She has raised the standards for horticulture education in Western New York.