Company News & Information

Learn about careers at Austin Outdoor by checking out our Facebook page.

It features open employment opportunities as well as pictures and information about our employees, internship programs, training programs, community service projects, and upcoming recruiting events.   Read the rest of this entry »

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind’s Dragon Flowers Program & Austin Outdoor Team Up for a Community Service Project that Enhanced the Landscape throughout the Campus

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – On Dec. 3, 2010, Austin Outdoor teamed up with Dragon Flowers, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind’s agribusiness program, to enhance the landscape in five areas throughout the school for a community service project.  The updated areas featured the focal point of Bryant Hall, the newly constructed blind high school, which was lacking a landscape due to budget restraints. Read the rest of this entry »

The holiday season has arrived, but the cooler weather we often associate with this season is lagging behind.  The recent unseasonably warm temperatures are the cause of brown patch, a common turf disease in the fall and spring that especially affects St. Augustine turf.  This disease might be impacting your lawn.   Read the rest of this entry »

The Sunshine Foundation & Austin Outdoor Team Up to Decorate for the Holidays

DAVENPORT, Fla. – On Dec. 10, 2010, Austin Outdoor’s Central Florida district teamed up with The Sunshine Foundation to help this non-profit organization decorate the cottages throughout its Dream Village by hanging lights and wreaths for the holiday season.  Read the rest of this entry »

STUART, Fla. – On Dec. 17, 2010, Austin Outdoor teamed up with House of Hope to enhance the landscape throughout this nonprofit’s facility to provide an updated and welcoming appearance to the landscape.  The enhancement included the addition of approximately 75 plants, installation of drip irrigation, and a fresh application of mulch. Read the rest of this entry »

The winter holidays are behind us, but we have the remaining winter season still ahead.  This season can be harsh to the landscape with freeze damage to plants and turf, but steps can be taken now to help your landscape recover quicker and look its best in the spring.  Read the rest of this entry »

 You’re Invited!

What:                                       
FREE Landscape Irrigation Clinic

When:                                      
Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Read the rest of this entry »

WHAT:                 
The Town of Ponce Inlet is hosting a grand opening celebration at Ponce Preserve for the addition of a nature-themed children’s playground within the park.  The new playground will feature a play structure shaped like a tree house, wood carvings of animals, outdoor classroom, playhouse, raised sandbox with archeological elements to find, and many other nature-inspired activities. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Brian Wester Promoted to Piedmont Landscape Regional Vice President & Wyatt Cartwright Promoted to Austin Outdoor District Manager

BUNNELL, Fla. – The Southeast Region of the Yellowstone Landscape Group, comprised of Austin Outdoor and Piedmont Landscape, is pleased to announce the recent promotion of two key team members.  Effective immediately, Brian Wester has been promoted to the regional vice president of Piedmont Landscape, and Wyatt Cartwright has been promoted to district manager of Austin Outdoor’s Central Florida district.  Read the rest of this entry »

On Saturday, Jan. 22, 2010, the grand opening of the children’s themed playground at Ponce Preserve was a success!  More than 150 people attended the event, including Rep. Dorothy Hukill and Reese Moore, author and historian.  The playground, designed by Austin Outdoor Landscape Designer Amanda Willson, featured a nature theme, including tree play equipment, wood carvings and an outdoor classroom.  The children enjoyed a scavenger hunt, guided tours and a Timucuan Indian demonstration. Read the rest of this entry »

Love is in the air this month for Valentine’s Day.  If you’re giving roses to someone special, check out the meaning of rose colors to make sure you are sending your loved one the right message. Read the rest of this entry »

Yellowstone’s focus proves to be its greatest strength.

 When Gridiron Capital-backed Yellowstone Landscape Group first debuted in 2008 with the acquisitions of Houston’s BIO Landscape & Maintenance, Atlanta’s Piedmont Landscape Contractors and Bunnell, FL’s Austin Outdoor, it had a specific focus:  “Create regional platforms that didn’t compete with Brickman and ValleyCrest on a national level but competed well with them in a tight geographic region.  Buy good brands in local markets and bring value to the table by creating infrastructure to accelerate and support organic growth and providing capital to do acquisitions,” explains Owen Tharrington, principal of private equity firm Gridiron. Read the rest of this entry »

DAVENPORT, Fla. – Austin Outdoor is pleased to announce a recent addition to its Business Development Department, Dain Charbonneau, who joins the team as business development manager for Northeast Orlando.  In his new role, Charbonneau will be responsible for focusing on developing relationships with commercial properties in the area such as planned communities, retail establishments, resorts/hotels and apartments. Read the rest of this entry »

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Austin Outdoor is pleased to announce the appointment of Jacksonville Business Development Manager Larry Ritter to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) of Greater Jacksonville Board of Directors on Feb. 15, 2011.  Read the rest of this entry »

Landscape Management Magazine featured an article about the Bella Collina Clubhouse design/build project that won a 2010 PLANET Environmental Improvement Grand Award. 

The Mission:  Create the epitome of Tuscan ambiance with Old World charm.

The landscape of this 65,000-sq-ft clubhouse, situated on a Central Florida hilltop and overlooking the residential community it serves, features 300 trees, 3,500 shrubs, 8,700 groundcovers, 2,800 annuals and 71,000 sq ft of turf.  Austin Outdoor, based in Bunnell, Fla., dedicated more than 10,000 hours to the project. Read the rest of this entry »

The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national lawn and landscape association, is holding a nationwide Day of Service on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.  Members of PLANET are organizing volunteer landscape projects in communities across the country.  Austin Outdoor, a member of PLANET, is participating in projects in the communities it serves – East Central Florida, Northeast Florida, Central Florida and Southeast Florida. Read the rest of this entry »

BUNNELL, Fla. – Yellowstone Landscape Group is accepting entries to its Enjoying the Landscape Photo Contest.  The contest calls for photographers, both experienced and amateur, to submit the best photo or photos they’ve taken that depicts people or animals enjoying the landscape.  The winner, which will be the person whose photo has the most votes from the public, will receive a $150 Visa gift card.  Read the rest of this entry »

From the Palm Coast Observer
By Shanna Fortier, Staff Writer

PALM COAST — The Rotary Club of Flagler County recently presented its first Service Above Self Award to Austin Outdoor LLC. Read the rest of this entry »

Warmer temperatures are here with summer on the near horizon.  These warm temperatures bring immense growth to the landscape.  This month, it’s important to follow these simple steps to ensure a healthy landscape – watch for chinch bugs, finalize all shrub pruning and mow your lawn weekly. Read the rest of this entry »

While many of us prepare our homes for the hurricane season by securing shutters, gallons of water, generators, non-perishable food items, batteries, flashlights and radios, it is also important to prepare the landscape for hurricane season.  Such preparation begins when selecting and planting the landscape and continues with proper maintenance.  Here are some tips to provide for a hurricane-ready landscape. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s summertime, which brings road trips, pool-time fun and family picnics.  This season also brings warmer temperatures and a growing landscape.  Here are some steps you should take this month to help make your home’s landscape look its best for your summertime outdoor festivities. Read the rest of this entry »

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Austin Outdoor is pleased to announce that it has been honored by the Florida First Coast Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors with an Excellence in Construction Award for its landscape installation work at the Alfred I. duPont Testamentary Trust Building. Read the rest of this entry »

Take Your Dog to Work Day raises money for local shelter

June 29, 2011
By Jacque Estes

Bill Dellecker, president of Austin Outdoor, says it was partially Jennifer Zuberer’s persistence that made the company’s participation in Friday’s Take Your Dog to Work Day a reality.

“She was so persistent about it, how could I refuse?” he said. “This was Jennifer’s idea, her passion and her and other employees involvement with the Flagler Humane Society.”

He also said several members of his staff spend their lunchtimes walking dogs at the shelter.

The national annual event is a fundraiser for humane societies and animal shelters across the country. Employees donate $10 or more for each dog they bring to work. Read the rest of this entry »

This month is all about beating the heat and hoping for rain.  Summer is a tough time when it comes to the landscape because both growth and pests are abundant at this time.  The following steps should be taken to ensure the landscape is healthy all summer long.  These steps can also be useful when maintaining your home’s landscape. Read the rest of this entry »

BUNNELL, Fla. – On June 24, 2011, Austin Outdoor, a Yellowstone Landscape Group company, expanded its Florida presence through a merger with Acorn Landscaping, a commercial landscape maintenance company headquartered in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  All members of the Acorn Landscaping team, including Founder Tom Krol, have joined Austin Outdoor, expanding resources and expertise for clients throughout the Southeast Florida region. Read the rest of this entry »

September may mean the beginning of fall weather for many, but in Florida, the summer heat is still going strong. At this point, you’re tired of the heat, you’re ready to mow less often and worrying about the weeds is replaced with worrying about your kid’s new teacher. Hold strong; you’re at the last stretch of the summer and relief will come soon!  In order to get past the last month of high temperatures and prepare your property for the cooler weather ahead, follow these simple steps. Read the rest of this entry »

We are seeking a dedicated, seasoned and highly professional District Manager for our growing Treasure Coast location.  The District Manager oversees all operations within our fast-paced District including field operations management, financial management of the business unit, customer service and administrative functions.

Austin Outdoor is a professional horticultural organization providing commercial landscape design, installation and management services throughout Florida.  We currently serve clients from nine branch locations in Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, North and South Orlando, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Tampa and Sarasota.  For more information, please visit our website: www.austinoutdoor.com.

District management responsibilities include:

1.       Leading the District through multiple Account Managers and technical field personnel responsible for providing full-scope landscape installation and maintenance care to high-profile properties.  Landscape operations must be managed efficiently, result in compliance with performance specifications, and produce results that consistently exceed client expectations.

2.      Job-costing, budgeting, resource planning and financial analysis in order to achieve target margins and consistent profitability.

3.      Working with District’s Business Development Manager in a cohesive manner to target, review, and approve proposed landscape management opportunities for the Treasure Coast market.

4.      Building long-term relationships with clients and keeping them informed of work-in-progress, as well as professionally interacting with company management, consultants, vendors and on-site staff.

5.      Routinely inspecting properties under management to assess landscape quality and identify areas for continuous improvement.

Qualifications of the District Manager include:

1.       A track record as a landscape professional with proven leadership and progressive management experience.  Prior experience “managing other managers” is a must.

2.      A Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture or a related major is strongly preferred; an Associate’s degree is a minimum requirement.  Related experience will be considered.  Evidence of continuing professional education and practical experience in training and adoption of “Best Management Practices” are vital to success.

3.      A strong understanding of job costing, budgeting, resource planning and financial reporting.  Previous financial responsibility for a business unit is essential.

4.      Lawn and Ornamental Pesticide license and/or other green industry certifications from FNGLA and PLANET are a plus.

5.      Superb professional communication skills, both written and verbal, are required; knowledge of Spanish is a plus.

6.      Flexibility and creativity in accomplishing quality work under dynamic circumstances is essential.  Must be highly-motivated, client-focused and detail-oriented, with a keen sense of ownership.

Austin Outdoor offers a competitive salary along with a quarterly incentive based on profitability and a full benefit plan including medical, dental, 401K, PTO and vehicle allowance.

If you possess the unique attributes and abilities for this position, please submit your resume to careers@austinoutdoor.com.

Address: 2665 SW Domina Road Port St. Lucie, FL 34953

BUNNELL, Fla. – On April 1, 2012, two Yellowstone Landscape Group companies, Piedmont Landscape Contractors and Austin Outdoor, united to become Austin Outdoor.  Austin Outdoor in Florida and Piedmont Landscape in Georgia and South Carolina have been working side-by-side since 2008 in the Yellowstone Landscape Group.

With this name change and the recent acquisition of the landscape management division of Cornerstone Solutions Group in Florida, Austin Outdoor will be positioned as one of the largest landscape firms in the nation.

“Piedmont Landscape’s name change just made common sense. For the past two years, Austin Outdoor and Piedmont have shared the same systems and resources. It was time to complete this unification and make our message clearer for prospects and clients.” said Edward Schatz, Jr., founder and CEO of Austin Outdoor.

Piedmont Landscape has been serving clients in Georgia and South Carolina since 1999. Austin Outdoor, established in 1994, is a horticultural organization dedicated to creating, building and maintaining sustainable landscapes. Austin Outdoor operates from its Florida offices in Bunnell/Flagler County (headquarters) and serves Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and the Bahamas.

About Yellowstone Landscape Group

Yellowstone Landscape Group was founded in 2008 by Gridiron Capital, LLC, a private equity firm based in New Canaan, Connecticut.  Yellowstone is a national leader led by a team of dedicated professionals with years of experience in all service lines of landscape architecture, maintenance and construction.  Yellowstone serves the growing demands of the commercial, municipal, resort, multi-family, HOA and sports markets by offering services with an emphasis on protecting and enhancing property values. In addition to Austin Outdoor, the Yellowstone Landscape Group also includes Houston-based BIO Landscape and Maintenance. Yellowstone serves customers in Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and the Bahamas with plans for geographic expansion. Visit www.yellowstonelandscape.com and www.gridironcapital.com for more information.

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Austin Outdoor is a professional, dynamic and growing organization that provides commercial landscape design, installation and management services.   Founded in 1994 in Palm Coast, Florida (between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville), Austin Outdoor presently serves clients from seven branch locations: Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island.  For more information, please visit our website: www.austinoutdoor.net

Our growing company is looking for a highly motivated Assistant Account Manager for the West Central Florida (Tampa Bay) District. In this management trainee role, the Assistant Account Manager will be responsible for overseeing select landscape maintenance contracts on high-profile commercial properties. This position is the ideal entry-level opportunity for those candidates looking to begin an exciting career in landscape operations management.

Assistant Account Manager Responsibilities include:

1. Under the supervision of the Senior Account Manager: plan, schedule, and implement the tasks of a field crew in commercial landscape maintenance.  These activities must result in compliance with contract specifications, budgets, and client expectations.
2. Interact on a regular basis with assigned Austin Outdoor clientele, through verbal and written communications.
3. Monitor landscape health and care needs on assigned properties.
4. Fulfill service standards, through use of Austin Outdoor’s systems and controls (including work order preparation, job-cost tracking, etc.)
5. Assist Senior Account Manager with enhancing landscapes of clients by offering appropriate additional services.

Primary Qualifications of the Assistant Account Manager include:

1. A landscape professional with the ability to be highly functional in a team environment, as well as able to perform with minimum supervision and direction.
2. BS degree in Horticulture or a related major strongly preferred.  Associates degrees will be considered.
3. Internship and/or experience on a landscape maintenance crew strongly preferred.
4. Exceptional client-service skills and take a keen sense of ownership of responsibilities.
5. Superb communication skills-both written and verbal; knowledge of Spanish is a plus.

If you possess the unique attributes and abilities for this position, please submit your resume to careers@austinoutdoor.com.

Austin Outdoor is a professional, dynamic and growing organization that provides commercial landscape design, installation and management services.   Founded in 1994 in Palm Coast, Florida (between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville), Austin Outdoor presently serves clients from seven branch locations: Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach and Grand Bahama Island.  For more information, please visit our website: www.austinoutdoor.net

Our growing company is looking for a highly motivated Assistant Account Manager for the Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) District. In this management trainee role, the Assistant Account Manager will be responsible for overseeing select landscape maintenance contracts on high-profile commercial properties. This position is the ideal entry-level opportunity for those candidates looking to begin an exciting career in landscape operations management.

Assistant Account Manager Responsibilities include:

1. Under the supervision of the Senior Account Manager: plan, schedule, and implement the tasks of a field crew in commercial landscape maintenance.  These activities must result in compliance with contract specifications, budgets, and client expectations.
2. Interact on a regular basis with assigned Austin Outdoor clientele, through verbal and written communications.
3. Monitor landscape health and care needs on assigned properties.
4. Fulfill service standards, through use of Austin Outdoor’s systems and controls (including work order preparation, job-cost tracking, etc.)
5. Assist Senior Account Manager with enhancing landscapes of clients by offering appropriate additional services.

Primary Qualifications of the Assistant Account Manager include:

1. A landscape professional with the ability to be highly functional in a team environment, as well as able to perform with minimum supervision and direction.
2. BS degree in Horticulture or a related major strongly preferred.  Associates degrees will be considered.
3. Internship and/or experience on a landscape maintenance crew strongly preferred.
4. Exceptional client-service skills and take a keen sense of ownership of responsibilities.
5. Superb communication skills-both written and verbal; knowledge of Spanish is a plus.

If you possess the unique attributes and abilities for this position, please submit your resume to careers@austinoutdoor.com.

Challenging, enriching, rewarding, exhausting….these are just a few words to describe my first month as in intern in the Jacksonville branch of Austin Outdoor! I joined the team at an exciting time, as business is booming. I have spent most days working onsite at Julington Creek Plantation, a large community in Jacksonville. Because of its scope, I am able to observe all aspects of the services and support we provide firsthand. I have spent a considerable amount of time working with the irrigation technician for the property, assisting with inspection reports, diagnostics and repairs. This has been an extraordinarily valuable experience as I am more of a “learn-by-doing” type and feel that I never would have grasped this as easily in a classroom setting. We travel throughout the site via a Kubota and I do detail and preservation work at every stop. This includes pulling weeds, pruning, deadheading, limb removal and debris clearing. We have been blessed with perfect spring weather all month, so working outside every day is that much more enjoyable! This week I was able to flex my horticultural muscle a bit by observing the appearance of decline in various plant and tree species due to micronutrient deficiencies and other environmental factors. I presented my findings to our fert/chem manager and came up with a treatment plan that I will be implementing beginning next week. It feels great to be able to make a positive impact on the property and the team. I am looking forward to what’s to come in the next two months and beyond!

I’m currently in my third week and so far it has been a blast. Granted I’ve relearned the definition of soreness and found a few new muscles I never knew I had but all in all it’s been fantastic!  The culture and attitude at Austin’s West Palm Beach office stands alone from any other company I have had the pleasure of doing business with.  I was welcomed with open arms to the family, from the District Manager to the men and women on the crews.  Everyone treats me with the utmost respect and friendliness.  Any concerns I have are promptly addressed and I feel that I am learning in leaps and bounds.  Every day I am faced with different and complex field situations that I rely on my team to help me overcome.  The knowledge and skill of my fellow Austin teammates make this internship a pleasure to participate in and I look forward to the next two months.