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Landscape
Solutions for Property Managers & Homeowner's
Associations
Specializing
in landscape maintenance, irrigation, and floriculture
services for multi-family and commercial properties. Serving
metro-Atlanta and North Georgia since 1983.
Rick Upchurch, President and CEO
Rick Upchurch is founder and president of NatureScapes, a landscape company specializing in maintenance, irrigation and floriculture services for commercial and multi-family properties.
In 1983, Rick started NatureScapes because he enjoyed the satisfaction of completing a landscape project, and he knew he could deliver a better, timelier product than other contractors. From the beginning, Rick focused on a commitment to serving his customers and building long-term relationships, and this commitment has paid off. Under Rick’s direction, NatureScapes – which is locally and privately owned – has become a leader in the industry and is now a $10 million company serving 19 metro Atlanta counties.
Adding to its growth and increasing its coverage area have been the acquisitions of Landscape Maintenance Group in 2009 and Greensphere Landscaping in 1996. Additionally, a strategic partnership with SIMPLY Green has allowed NatureScapes to expand its services and ensure top-quality turf management.
Contributing to NatureScapes’ success are the principles by which Rick has run his business. These ideals are apparent in NatureScapes’ customer promise, which states that NatureScapes will meticulously care for the grounds in which they are entrusted, provide superior customer service and communicate openly with customers. Additionally, NatureScapes promises to beautify and protect customers’ valuable landscape investments by embracing the unique needs of their communities and applying sound environmental and horticultural practices.
These high standards have earned NatureScapes more than 30 landscape awards and regular appearances in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of the top commercial landscape companies. The company has made the list numerous times, moving up each year and landing a spot in the top ten recently.
Another standard that sets NatureScapes apart from the competition is accessibility. If a client wants to speak with Rick, they can rest assured that when they call, he will answer. This level of accessibility and communication flows throughout the company, from the executive level to the crews in the field. Rick feels this is such an important aspect of his business that all account managers have Blackberry phones, give their cell phone numbers to all of their clients, and are on call 24/7.
Rick also is a firm believer in educating his clients and encouraging their interests in horticulture. His monthly newsletter is full of landscape news and information, and his staff of experts conducts free landscape seminars for property managers that qualify as real estate continuing education credits.
As an active member within the industry and his community, Rick is serving his sixth term on the MALTA board. He served as MALTA president in 2006 and 2007, and was named Volunteer of the Year by Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation in 2003. Rick has also been recognized as an expert in landscape equipment, which is helpful with a fleet of 75 vehicles, 150 mowers of various sizes, and enough miscellaneous equipment to tend 18 million square feet of turf every week.
Rick and his wife Cynthia Southard, an Atlanta native, reside in Snellville. Their daughter Courtney is married and lives in Birmingham.
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