Project EverGreen, a national non-profit, public service organization, is on a mission. Its goal is to raise the level of awareness in America that achieving ecological sustainability in cities begins with sound, responsible maintenance of public and private green spaces. The specific goal of Project EverGreen’s Akron “EverGreen Zone” Contractor Award sponsored by Mulch Mule is to recognize Akron-area service contracting organizations, companies and other professionals for projects that create or improve well-managed green spaces. Two $1,500 awards will be given in the fall of 2008.
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Den Gardner, executive director of Project Evergreen, explains the organization’s rationale. “Unfortunately, people are unaware of the immense impact that responsibly managed, well-maintained green spaces have on our environment, our local economies, and our lifestyle,” he says.
He notes that healthy, responsibly managed trees, turf and plants play critical roles in regulating local air quality and climate, countering the warming effects of paved surfaces and reducing energy consumption by providing shade and absorbing heat through evapotranspiration.
Gardner further explains, “Green spaces contribute to ecological health by breaking up the built and paved landscape with lush, inviting, landscapes that filter storm water and snowmelt, recharge groundwater supplies, and protect lakes and streams from polluted, chronic runoff.”
To qualify for the Akron “EverGreen Zone” Contractor Award sponsored by Mulch Mule, a nominee must be a service contracting organization, company or other professional. The nominee must have completed a project that creates or improves private or public green spaces in the Akron area. Two awards will be given: $1,500 for residential and $1,500 for commercial property/sports fields/public parks, which may include cash, merchandise, and/or credit at Akron merchants. Winning submissions will be featured in the Project EverGreen 2009 Because Green Matters Calendar.
Nominations may be made by downloading an application blank at www.projectevergreen.com or calling the Project EverGreen office at 877/758-4835. Contest submissions must include a written description and photographs, video or other visual documentation. Deadline for nominations is Aug. 30.