PLANET, the national trade association for landscape professionals, held its annual Awards Reception and Presentation, sponsored by Caterpillar, Inc. and attended by more than 200 industry leaders, during the Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 26, 2012.
PLANET’s Awards program, the largest in the industry, recognizes the best work in commercial and residential landscape design, installation, and maintenance as well as interior plant work, and also the best leadership and safety practices.
“PLANET is very proud to honor all the great work that our members do as well as having the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing partners and leaders that make our industry so great.”
This year marked the 43rd annual presentation of the Environmental Improvement Awards (EIA), one of the premier industry awards programs that showcases the creation and maintenance of great landscapes. Some 123 awards were given in multiple categories. Four companies received the highest honor–Judges Awards-which is given to those projects that exemplify the best workmanship and innovation in the industry. Recipients included Southern Botanical Inc. in the Commercial Design/Build and the Residential Contracting categories, ValleyCrest in the Landscape Maintenance for Commercial Management category, and Lambert Landscape Co., in the Residential Design/Build category. Links to photos of the award winning projects can be found on the awards page.
New this year, the presentation featured an Audience Choice Award. The winner, Lambert Landscape Co., was chosen by the audience via text message and online voting. Visit PLANET’s website for a complete listing of all of the EIA recipients.
The awards presentation also featured a number of PLANET leadership awards, including the PLANET Promise Award, Association Partner of the Year, and Partners in Success.
Jennifer Lemcke, Landscape Industry Certified, of Weed Man USA/Turf Holdings, Inc., received the PLANET Promise Award because of her years of industry participation, leadership and involvement in the support of PLANET’s goals. Lemcke is a past board member of PLANET, has served on a variety of committees, and sponsored a number of PLANET events over the years.
The Association Partner of the Year Award went to two organizations: the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association and the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association, for their recognition of the importance of unifying the industry at both the state and national level and as well as their support of PLANET’s programs.
This year’s Partner in Success Award went to four PLANET members and partners: Caterpillar, Inc., CNA Business Insurance, JOHN DEERE, and STIHL Inc. They were all recognized for their strong support of PLANET programs and initiatives. Caterpillar, Inc. is the Platinum sponsor of the Green Industry Great Escape, CNA is PLANET’s safety program partner, JOHN DEERE is the Platinum sponsor of GIC, and STIHL is the Platinum sponsor for Student Career Days. These companies make a huge impact on PLANET members as well as students, the industry’s next generation.
“PLANET is very proud to honor all the great work that our members do as well as having the opportunity to shine a light on the amazing partners and leaders that make our industry so great,” said PLANET President Norman Goldenberg, Landscape Industry Certified.
The Safety Recognition Awards, sponsored by CNA, were also celebrated. Those awards recognized professionals who continue to improve the quality of safe practices throughout the industry. PLANET received 190 company entries, and because each entry is eligible for multiple awards, 442 awards were given. This year, PLANET also recognized the “Best of the Best” awards which were created to honor companies with Overall Safety Achievement Award–Gold Performance status for the last three years. This year’s recipients included Ecolawn, Inc.; Greenleaf Services, Inc. – Linville, NC; Keep It Green Landscaping; Trio Outdoor Maintenance, LLC; Fox Run Nurseries, Inc.; Kodiak Landscape Design, Inc.; and No Ka Oi Landscape Services. For a full list of the Safety Recognition Award recipients, visit PLANET’s website.
