Bayer Environmental Science Announces GreenSpace Renovation Contest Winners

Three public green spaces and the industry professionals who nominated them have won the first Bayer Environmental Science Green Space Renovation Contest. As part of the winning prize, Bayer will donate $5,000 and the appropriate lawn care products needed to renovate each space, and the lawn care operator who nominated the space will donate the time and staff needed to complete the renovation.

The three winners include:

1) East Lyme Town Hall, nominated by Tom Kalal of Jordan Brook Lawn Care in Waterford, Conn.
2) Glazier-Gates Park, nominated by Tammy Kovar of Biological Tree Services in Sarasota, Fla.
3) The Indianapolis City Parks, nominated by Bob Andrews of the Greenskeeper Inc., in Carmel, Ind. 

“The Green Space Renovation Contest is just one way Bayer is giving back to the green industry and the communities in which we work and live,” stated Jason Kuhlemeier, lawn and landscape market lead, Bayer Environmental Science. “Many communities need a little extra help in keeping their spaces green and healthy. In partnership with the nominating lawn care operators, we look forward to playing a role in the renovation process at each of the three winning locations.”

The Bayer Lawn Care Institute Advisory Board, which consists of nine lawn care operators from across the country, reviewed all nominations and selected the winners based on need, impact on the community and application.

“It was difficult to select only three winners as there were many compelling nominations,” stated David Eason, general manager, Naders Pest Raiders and a member of the Lawn Care Institute Advisory Board. “The green industry consists of many dedicated and talented individuals. This contest brought out some of the best, and it was moving to see their commitment to our industry and their local communities.”

The Winners

Tom Kalal, owner, Jordan Brook Lawn Care, and his staff will renovate the front lawn of the Town Hall in East Lyme, Conn. Driving by the town hall on a regular basis, Kalal felt the lawn, a central meeting place for local civic, public and political events, was in need of extra attention and a significant renovation. Tom and his crew plan to aerate, topdress, re-seed, fertilize and apply Acclaim Extra herbicide and Dylox insecticide for weed and insect control. In addition, part of the cash prize will be spent replacing the main carrying beam inside the historic Lee House, as well as roof cleaning and sealing, painting and trim repair and replacement.

Biological Tree Services in Sarasota, Fla., owned by Tammy Kovar, submitted a winning proposal to revitalize Glazier-Gates Park in downtown Bradenton. The five-acre park is one of the oldest in the city and provides a recreational area in a neighborhood comprised of lower socio-economic residents and the elderly. As part of the park’s “Redevelopment Project,” Kovar will be applying TopChoice insecticide to rid the playground area of fire ants. 

Bob Andrews, owner, The Greenskeeper Inc. in Carmel, Ind., and his crew will assist the Indianapolis Parks Department in the upkeep of several half-acre parks in low-income areas that are often overshadowed by parks in more affluent areas or fall victim to funding cuts. Andrews will be applying Finale herbicide, Allectus on Fertilizer and Armada.

The nomination period for next year will open early in 2009. For more information, please contact Meredith Setzman at msetzman@tierneyagency.com.