PLANET |

Become a Registered Guest
Login Help
Lost Password?

Contact: Sabeena Hickman
Phone: (703) 736-9666
E-mail: Sabeena Hickman

For Immediate Release

PLANET members converge on Washington, D.C., for 12th annual Renewal & Remembrance project

HERNDON, Va., July 2, 2008 — Hundreds of landscape and lawn care specialists from across the nation — members of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) — will bring their crews to Arlington National and Historic Congressional cemeteries for the 12th annual Renewal & Remembrance event, Monday, July 21, 2008.

On this, the largest green industry day of service in the nation, more than 300 companies will spend the day mulching, caring for trees and cabling them with lightening protection, pruning, liming, planting, aerating, and installing an irrigation system at Arlington National Cemetery. This gift is valued at more than $350,000 in products and services. To date, PLANET has contributed almost $2 million to the care of these historic landmarks.

Despite the economic crunch that many businesses are feeling, the turnout for this year’s day of service is expected to be even larger than in past years. “There are definitely companies in this industry that are feeling the crunch from a lack of workers, increased gasoline prices, and other economic pressures; however, this opportunity to give back to the many Americans who have served our country is too great for these companies to pass up,” states Tom Shotzbarger, CLP, CLT, COLP, CTP, CTP-CSL, a PLANET member and the chairman of the event.

“I consider it an honor to be able to give back by improving the grounds at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Dan Cheslock, PLANET member and owner of Mountaineer Lawn Care in Morgantown, West Virginia. “We basically close down the company and bring our staff members here to work at Arlington, and they love to participate. It is a small way that we can make a difference and support military families.” Many PLANET members have special connections at the cemeteries either through relatives and friends who are buried there or through their own military service.

The event, which began 12 years ago as a small, one-day event, has grown to include more and more PLANET members and their families as well as company employees. The event now includes special children’s projects. This year, children will plant flowers in key locations at Arlington National Cemetery and will participate in the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, those PLANET members who have set up and confirmed appointments with their representatives, will visit their congressional and senate leaders on Capitol Hill and speak with them about issues facing the green industry, including the H-2B guest worker program. This year’s event Platinum Sponsors are Bayer Environmental Science, Husqvarna, and Syngenta.

For more information about Renewal & Remembrance and Legislative Day on the Hill events, visit LandcareNetwork.org, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.