Ball Horticultural Co. was awarded the 2008 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award. This award is sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness, which recognizes park districts, municipalities and corporations that make extensive and creative use of native landscaping. The award ceremony will be held Nov. 13 as part of the Chicago Wilderness Congress.
“This is the fourth award Ball Horticultural Company has been presented with for the Ball Ecological Restoration Project,” says Keith Guimon, who is the coordinator of the Restoration Project.
Ball’s Ecological Restoration area started in 2001 and has grown into 27 acres of native restoration. Invasive plants have been removed and replaced with native ones, wildlife habit has been restored and walking trials for employees have been created. This area is located in West Chicago, where Ball’s corporate headquarters reside. An audio tour of the restoration area is also available for visitors.
“Many Ball employees have been involved in this project over the years and this success is the result of a group effort,” Guimon says. “It is very exciting to be recognized by this organization and it is an honor to receive this award.”