FT. MYERS, FL—Despite an uncharacteristic morning thunderstorm, Project EverGreen, the nationally recognized non-profit whose mission is to preserve and enhance yards, parks and green spaces, opened its “Backyard Nature: Living GREEN” exhibit at the Imaginarium Science Center in Ft. Myers on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. But the exhibit is not complete; more plants and seating to relax and enjoy the “backyard” are needed.
Approximately 45 supporters, including Ft. Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, sponsors and volunteers briefly stood in a light drizzle to view the six-zone landscape, before heading inside when the downpour, thunder and lightning began. The remainder of the festivities continued indoors with Henderson proclaiming Saturday, Aug. 18 as “Project EverGreen/Imaginarium Day,” followed by a proclamation from Lee County, read by Tessa LeSage, Lee County Office of Sustainability manager, which reinforced the City’s proclamation.
“Project EverGreen is proud to partner with the Imaginarium and a wonderful group of sponsors and volunteers who helped make the idea of this green space a reality,” says Project EverGreen Executive Director Cindy Code. “The ‘Backyard Nature: Living GREEN’ exhibit will help families learn how easy it is to sustain an environmentally compatible backyard using Florida-friendly landscaping.”
The exhibit garden is strategically laid out to show how a properly landscaped exterior can have multiple positive impacts on the greater environment and showcases the best plants for Florida climates and soils. Volunteers planted the exhibit in a two-day span, under the guidance of an advisory committee who researched and selected the right plants for the right space. Special recognition in the form of a golden shovel was given to Bob Cook of the Florida Nursery Growers Landscape Association, who was an adviser on the project, but also, planted much of the exhibit and blogged about the experience.
Project EverGreen worked with the following local partners from the plant, sod, fertilizer, pest management and grower industry to place a focus on the forefront of green innovation: Wells Fargo, Eagle Scout Troop 316, Florida Pest Management Association, Estate Landscaping & Lawn Management, Florida Nursery Growers Landscape Association, Florida Sod Growers Cooperative, Green by Design, Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association, Bethel Farms, King Landscaping, Elata Natives, Juniper Landscaping, Coastal Irrigation & Plumbing, Mainscapes Irrigation, Florida Irrigation Society, Triple J. Grassing, and Estate Landscaping & Lawn Management.
Thanks to the sponsors and volunteers, the exhibit is 85 percent complete. Opportunities still exist for more plant donations, sign sponsorships describing the exhibit and benches for seating in shaded areas. For more information on those opportunities, please contact Shelby Baucom, assistant director at the Imaginarium at SBaucom@cityftmyers.com.
To see a site map of the exhibit, view pictures, find out more about the grand opening event and learn about Project EverGreen, please visit http://projectevergreen.
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