Hello from Project EverGreen! A much-awaited spring season is making its way here - and for many, the change in season can come none too soon. Before we know it, blue sky and lush greenery will abound. We encourage you to check out our latest news and events below. And as always, we thank you for your support!
Who else but my idols Chicago (the band) would have a song that aptly describes my decision in January to change my role with Project EverGreen after the end of this year? It seems about as old as this song is (the late 1960s) since I was fortunate enough to work with such a passionate group of green industry leaders and create the organization back in 2003. Oh, what a ride.
I’ll save my “goodbyes” for another time. Meanwhile, there’s still way too much to do in the next nine months before I “mow” off into the sunset. We are embarking on several new and exciting initiatives - even though we are in what we’re calling a “maintenance year” for PE. The aforementioned song in this article’s headline had some pretty cool lyrics. And guess what? They apply to Project EverGreen!
Being Pushed and Shoved…
And so the lyric goes: “Being pushed and shoved by people trying to beat the clock, oh, no, I just don’t know…” As we all seem to try and squeeze more and more into a work week (geez, as one sad example, here I am on Saturday morning writing this column), think about PE and how important it is for us as an organization to convey to consumers the importance of slowing down to smell the grass beneath our feet and to realize the soothing effect that a green space has on our lives. What have you done today to promote the importance of managed green spaces to others?
I’m constantly reminded of how we take green spaces for granted. In the PE PowerPoint presentation, we show a friend of mine (who was stationed in Iraq at the time as a helicopter pilot) playing softball amid a dust storm. You can barely see the players for all the dust. And certainly no green spaces. I’m not suggesting green spaces will vanish someday here, but certainly there are risks associated with all the efforts by activists to cut down the amount of turf. And the EPA’s efforts to curb water use by actually defining how much turf you can have in your yard is one bad potential nightmare for all of us.
People Runnin’ Everywhere, Don’t Know Where to Go…
A good friend of mine dealt with the sorrow of his dad’s death this week. At the funeral, we chatted about how his dad, John, always used to talk with my dad (who died almost eight years ago now) about the importance of having a nice yard. And don’t I know it! One of my personal chores at home while growing up - along with my twin brother, Dan - was my family’s yard (which took more time back then than a teenager like me wanted). I thought I had much more important things to do - like dating girls, for instance. But that yard (which actually was a full yard and outbuildings of my parents’ hobby farm) was my dad’s pride and joy. He always knew where he wanted to go. And he always took his time getting there. And his yard always looked great – thanks to Dan and me. **Ha! ** I will say one thing: I’m never going to be in such a hurry that it seems like we don’t even have time to smell the roses anymore. When someone tells me that in a text message, in the interest of brevity, you use “L8r” for “later,” I can only shake my head. You’ve got to be kidding me. Slow down folks - smell the spring flowers. Stop runnin’ everywhere!
Don’t Have Time to Think Past the Last Mile
Boy, think about the last mile of PE’s journey recently. Despite our maintenance year, here’s what we’ve got cookin’:
And the list goes on and on. Maintenance year, huh?
Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is? Does Anybody Really Care?
I sure hope you do. We’ve spent the past six years - with literally thousands of volunteers across the country - telling the story of managed green spaces. You can bet these next nine months are going to find all of us passionately living our mission: “To preserve and enhance green spaces in our communities for today and future generations.”
I’m done “being pushed and shoved by people trying to beat the clock.” And when Cindy Code takes over on January 1, 2011, my passion for PE will only move to another green space in another dimension - the backyard of my own mind.
“The more I sniffed around GreenCare for Troops, the more I liked what I smelled.” That’s a quote from host Mike Rowe of the Discovery Channel’s popular show, “Dirty Jobs,” on his recent involvement with Cub Cadet and GreenCare for Troops. Our outreach program has garnered some fantastic television and online exposure recently, having worked with Rowe to renovate a lawn in neglect for a Riverside County, California soldier returning from Iraq.
Watch in the online exclusive segment as Rowe and dozens of volunteers get “dirty” digging, mowing, seeding, planting, tilling…and transform the Army National Guard Sergeant’s lawn into a workable green expanse. Plus, read what Mike Rowe has to say about his experience with Cub Cadet and GreenCare for Troops.
A big thank you to all of our volunteers and to everyone who was a part of this project!
See for Yourself!
Watch the segment: http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/dirty-jobs-greencare-for-troops/
Mike Rowe commentary: http://www.mikeroweworks.com/2010/02/while-theyre-cleaning-up-over-there-whos-cleaning-up-over-here/
Project EverGreen recently announced that Executive Director Den Gardner will resign his position at the end of 2010. Green industry consultant Cindy Code will be named the new executive director effective January 1, 2011.
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Gardner helped create the organization in its transition from the former Evergreen Foundation of the legacy trade group, the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA), in 2002, and managed the organization from 2003 onward. In 2004, the foundation became Project EverGreen and has stood alone as a 501c3 non-profit group.
“It was time to begin my process of looking at semi-retirement, yet remain involved in Project EverGreen, which I’m very passionate about,” Gardner said. “I’ve been involved in the green industry for more than 25 years and will continue to be involved through a variety of projects.” Gardner plans to continue as executive director of TOCA and performs other consulting work in the green industry.
Code, who has been a part of Project EverGreen since its transition from the Evergreen Foundation, served two years as president of the board and has her own consulting business in the green industry, representing companies and associations. This move is a natural transition that will make for a seamless change in leadership.
“Promoting the numerous benefits of green spaces is of utmost importance as Project EverGreen marches forward,” Code said. “Den has been invaluable to the growth of Project EverGreen, and I look forward to his continued contributions to the organization. Together, we intend to increase the recognition and value of green spaces and to advance the involvement of consumers and professionals alike in spreading our vital message.”
Norman Goldenberg, current board president of Project EverGreen, believes this transition during 2010 will provide ample time for Gardner and Code to set the agenda for the future as Code prepares for her new assignment in 2011. “Den and Cindy have been colleagues and have served together on other non-profit groups for more than two decades,” Goldenberg said. “They will continue to work together in the years ahead.
“We believe we have the best of both worlds with this transition. We will get new leadership and energy from Cindy, and retain the expertise and continuity that has made Project EverGreen so successful in its first six years of existence representing the green industry in its efforts to promote the benefits of green spaces to consumers.”
Host Thomas Mulready explored sustainability in a recent episode of “NEOtropolis,” a half-hour weekly television program that focuses on business and economy issues throughout northeast Ohio. Along with interesting segments on the inroads Ohio is making in solar power, wind power and sustainable water purification systems, Project EverGreen’s Jacquie Mazziotta was interviewed about the importance of green spaces and our organization’s efforts to make urban settings more green.
From our Art of Green Spaces Competition and “Project EverGreen Month” declaration by the City of Akron, to our numerous other outreach and exposure initiatives in the works, Project EverGreen continues to make great strides in the community. Mazziotta’s segment on “NEOtropolis” discusses Project EverGreen’s particular impact in Akron, including the decision to select the city as an EverGreen Zone, along with the partnerships formed and successes recognized in our ongoing sustainability and green efforts.
“Mazziotta’s work the past three years in Akron has been exemplary,” Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, said. “She has embraced our philosophy and worked tirelessly to promote the benefits of managed green spaces. We are indebted to her efforts thus far.”
Watch the video: http://www.westernreservepublicmedia.org/
With celebrity horticulturist Melinda Meyers serving as spokesperson, much was accomplished last year in the Milwaukee EverGreen Zone. New partnerships were formed, existing partnerships were strengthened, and our “green matters” message continued to be heard throughout metro Milwaukee. Some of the exciting opportunities in 2009 included partnerships with:
These and numerous other exposure elements were recognized with the help of Melinda Myers. Project EverGreen kept her busy with a variety of speaking engagements, media outreach and event attendance, including our highly successful EverGreen Zone Kick-off at the Domes and our Healing Garden Event at Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital. Project EverGreen will work again with Myers in 2010 on various promotional projects.
Read more about Milwaukee EverGreen Zone’s 2009 outreach initiatives here: Download the document
Headquartered in New Prague, Minnesota, Project EverGreen is a national non-profit organization representing green industry service (end-user) providers, associations, suppliers/distributors, media companies, and other organizations. Project EverGreen’s mission is “To preserve and enhance green space in our communities for today and future generations.”
In late 2004, Project EverGreen launched a national media campaign to inform U.S. consumers about the positive effects of well-maintained green spaces, including lawns and landscapes, sports turf, golf courses and parks.