Dallas based Southern Botanical Inc. was awarded two of the four Judges Awards given at the 43rd annual 2012 Environmental Improvement Awards (EIA), one of the premier awards programs in the landscape industry and part of PLANET’s Green Industry Conference this weekend in Louisville, Ky.

PLANET’s EIA program recognizes interior-scape, landscape, and lawn care professionals who design and create superior projects, and reflects the association’s commitment to supporting members in the creation and preservation of great landscapes.

Judges Award recipients must have already met the stringent requirements for a Grand Award, the top category, and are further singled out by the judges as being exemplary in their level of difficulty in execution and the workmanship exhibited.

“The award-winning work represents the best in residential and commercial landscape design and execution,” said Awards Subcommittee Chair, Will Spiegelberg.

This year, 123 entries were recognized with an award, but only four entries were singled out for the Judges Award. Two of these were awarded to the Southern Botanical Team for their Grand Award-winning work on the Texas Instruments Courtyard in the Commercial Contracting category, and the Eagle Residence in the Residential Management category.

In addition to the Judges and Grand Awards, Southern Botanical was awarded Merit Awards in the Commercial Installation - Special Events category (JCPenney Brand Re-Launch), the Commercial Landscape Management category (UNT Denton Business Leadership Building - LEED Gold) and the Residential Installation - Residential Contracting category (Preston Hollow Residence). Southern Botanical also received a Recognition Award in the Residential Installation - Residential Contracting category (Rio Roca Chapel on the Brazos River).