Leadership Through Industry Involvement: Anita Heuver begins term as CNLA President
On: February 5, 2025
By: Eagle Lake Nurseries
Anita Heuver, Owner and CEO of Eagle Lake Nurseries, has long believed that a strong horticulture industry is built through participation, collaboration and a willingness to contribute beyond your own business.
That belief was instilled in Anita early by her father, Tony Heuver, founder of Eagle Lake Nurseries. Tony encouraged Anita to become involved in the industry and led by example. He was active in the early years as Landscape Alberta was evolving and served as President of the association. Industry leadership also runs through the extended Heuver family: Anita’s uncle, Henry Heuver, served as President of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA).
Following in that tradition, Anita has been actively involved in the horticulture industry for many years, serving in leadership roles at both the provincial and national levels. Her involvement has included serving as President of Landscape Alberta, Chair of Growers Canada, participating on numerous industry committees and initiatives, and serving on the CNLA Board.
In February 2025, Anita began her term as President of CNLA, representing nursery growers, landscape professionals, garden centres and other horticulture businesses from across Canada. Her term runs to March 2027.
Her presidency has focused on strengthening the connection between the national association and its individual members, advancing government relations and evidence-based advocacy, supporting research and innovation, and ensuring that the work of the association creates meaningful value for the businesses and people it represents.
For Anita, association involvement is about more than meetings, committees and advocacy. It is about relationships, learning from others and recognizing that many of the challenges and opportunities facing horticulture are bigger than any one company.
“My dad always encouraged me to get involved and contribute to our industry. Over the years, I have come to understand why that mattered so much to him.
Being involved in an industry association gives us the opportunity to learn from each other, share ideas and work together on issues that none of us can solve alone.
I have gained so much, both personally and professionally, from the relationships I have built through our industry. When we participate and contribute, we strengthen our own businesses, our industry and the opportunities available to the next generation.”
For Anita, serving as CNLA President is both an opportunity to contribute to the future of Canadian horticulture and a continuation of a family tradition that has always valued giving back to the industry.
At Eagle Lake Nurseries, that same philosophy continues today. Whether through association leadership, industry collaboration, research or sharing knowledge with others, contributing to the broader horticulture community is an important part of being a leader within it.
