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NEWS                                                                               Contact:    Vicki Bendure, APR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              (540) 687-3360 or
                                                                                                                Lisa Schaumann
                                                                                                                (540) 687-5099

PLANET MEMBERS DONATED MORE THAN $350,000 IN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY AND HISTORIC CONGRESSIONAL CEMETERY
—Event Marked 12 Years for the Largest Green Industry Day of Service in the Nation—

HERNDON, Va., August 13, 2008 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national association of lawn care and landscape professionals, held its 12th annual “Renewal & Remembrance” project at Arlington National and Historic Congressional cemeteries on Monday, July 21, 2008.

More than 400 individuals participated at the two locations. They came from across the nation and spent the day mulching, caring for and cabling trees 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 was 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,” stated Tom Shotzbarger, CLP, CLT, COLP, CTP-CSL, a PLANET member and the chairman of the event.

Many PLANET members have special connections at the cemeteries either through relatives and friends who are buried there or through their own military service.

“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.”

The event, which began 12 years ago as a small, one-day event, has grown to involve some 115 companies, many of whom work over the weekend before the event to oversee delivery of equipment and supplies, and to perform some installation of the many trees and shrubs. As the day of service has grown, more and more PLANET members bring their families as well as their company employees. The event now includes special projects for children of PLANET members. This year, children planted flowers in key locations at Arlington National Cemetery and participated in the laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

The logistics of the event are significant. Here are some of the numbers:

More than 400 individuals participated at Arlington National and Historic Congressional cemeteries
115 companies sent crews, owners, and executives
27 states were represented
80 children and their parents participated in the Children’s Activity
27 Area Captains supervised the operations
126 tons of lime were applied to 282 acres at Arlington National and Historic Congressional cemeteries
More than 10 acres of turf aerated
30 yards of soil installed
50 yards of mulch applied
115 trees and shrubs removed to make way for a more beautiful landscape at the Visitors Parking Garage
65 trees installed
750 perennials planted
Eight trees pruned and cabling and bracing installed
Lightning protection installed on one tree
An irrigation system installed at an Arlington National Cemetery rose garden, originally planted by the Professional Lawn Care Association of America in 1999

On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, PLANET members visited their congressional and senate leaders on Capitol Hill and spoke with them about issues facing the green industry, including the H-2B guest worker program.

For more information about Renewal and Remembrance, visit LandcareNetwork.org. To find a PLANET professional in your area, visit LandcareNetwork.org/findaprofessional 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.