Why does green matter so much? Plenty, if you ask Project EverGreen Executive Director Den Gardner. Under Gardner’s direction, the national non-profit association has been working for several years now to inform consumers about the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits of managed green spaces. In Project EverGreen’s latest move, it announced that Akron, Ohio, is the first city selected in its new “EverGreen Zone” initiative.
| ABOUT INDUSTRY BUZZ |
Each week, our industry experts will tackle a variety of topics that affect the industry and discuss how those issues can impact you as a green industry professional. This week, Project EverGreen outlines its latest consumer education program. Be sure to share your thoughts on the Lawn & Landscape Message Board. Let's get the buzz going! |
The purpose of the EverGreen Zone program is to raise public awareness about the benefits of expanding, preserving, and maintaining green spaces that positively impact climate change.
“Project EverGreen’s mission is to help make Akron greener by making them more aware of the benefits of managed green spaces,” Gardner says. “We hope that Akron will be the first of 20 cities across the country over the next several years where we educate the public and inspire developers, businesses, communities, and citizens to increase the number of well-maintained green spaces throughout their communities, including home lawns/landscapes, commercial areas, golf courses, sports fields, community parks and other green spaces.”
According to Gardner, achieving ecological sustainability in Akron and other cities begins with green space. The trees, turf and plants in well-maintained green spaces help regulate local air quality and climate, countering the warming effects of paved surfaces and reducing energy consumption by providing shade and absorbing heat through evapotranspiration. Green spaces also contribute to ecological health by breaking up the built and paved landscape with land that filters storm water and snowmelt, recharging groundwater supplies and protecting lakes and streams from polluted runoff.
Unfortunately, people are not aware of how much positive impact green spaces have on the environment, economic development, and their lifestyles. That’s where the education- and awareness-building initiatives created by Project EverGreen come into the picture.
Project EverGreen is working in conjunction with local groups such as the Ohio Landscape Association, Keep Akron Beautiful, and the mayor’s office throughout 2008 to promote this effort collaboratively. The association is sponsoring various community outreach programs and competitions to reach the public directly. Its plans include renovation of a blighted green space and an Art of Nature competition with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Reserve Old Trail School and Western Reserve Academy and School, as well as sending street teams to the Home & Flower Show, the Farmer’s Market and sponsoring an Aeros game this summer, the minor league team in the city.
More information about Project EverGreen is available at www.projectevergreen.com or 877/758-4835. For more information on the Akron EverGreen Zone program, contact Jacquie Mazziotta at 330/592-3370 or jmazziotta@projectevergreen.com.