The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) held its PLANET Awards and AEF Recognition Ceremony, sponsored by Caterpillar and attended by 175 industry leaders, during the Green Industry Conference (GIC) in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 25.
PLANET’s Awards program recognizes the best work in commercial and residential landscape design, installation and maintenance as well as interior plant work and the best in safety and sustainability.
National Landscape Awards of Excellence
The newly branded National Landscape Awards of Excellence were presented to 105 entries, which were recognized in the following categories: 35 Grand, 34 Merit, and 36 Recognition.
Four Judges Awards also were announced and presented at the ceremony and recipients included:
- Botanical Decorators in the Residential Design/Build category;
- Moore Landscapes in the Landscape Maintenance for Commercial Management category;
- The LaurelRock Co. in the Residential Landscape Management category; and
- The Ohio Valley Group in the Special Events Interior category.
Additionally, The LaurelRock Co. was presented the Audience Choice Award, based on live voting during the ceremony.
“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 Glenn Jacobsen, LIC.
Visit PLANET’s website for a complete listing of all of the award recipients.
Sustainable Company Awards
Nine companies received the Sustainable Company Award, which recognizes businesses that strive to protect and conserve resources, reduce waste and prevent pollution, and that promote an ethic of environmental sustainability within their workplace.
Winners included:
- Dave’s Landscape Management Co. in Hudson, Mass.;
- Greener By Design in New Rochelle, N.Y.;
- Pacific Landscapes in Sebastopol, Calif.;
- Plantscapes in Seattle, Wash.;
- Precision Landscape Management in Dallas;
- Texas Land Care in Dallas;
- The LaurelRock Co. in Wilton, Conn.;
- The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center in Chaska, Minn.; and
- Willamette Landscape Services in Tualatin, Ore.
Safety Recognition Awards
Sponsored by CNA, the Safety Recognition Awards were celebrated as well. The “Best of the Best” awards were bestowed to companies that, for the past three years, have maintained the “Overall Safety Achievement Award– Gold Level” status.
Companies included:
- A Cut Above Landscape Management in Fortson, Ga.;
- Ecolawn in Eastlake, Ohio;
- Fox Run Nurseries in Alexandria, Va.;
- Greenleaf Services in Linville, N.C.;
- Keep It Green Landscaping in Fair Lawn, N.J.;
- KIRA in Jacksonville, Fla.;
- Leo’s Landscape Nursery West Bridgewater, Mass.; and
- No Ka Oi Landscape Services in Hanapepe, Hawaii.
PLANET AEF Ambassadors
During the AEF Recognition portion of the ceremony, crystal awards were presented to those who stepped up to be last year’s PLANET AEF Ambassadors. Ambassadors included the Bruce K and Gail P Wilson Family Trust, Greenleaf Services, Miles and Lisa Kuperus, Stay Green and—through PLANET’s state partnership with the Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association—Fullmer’s Landscaping. The newest PLANET AEF Platinum Ambassadors recognized were The Landscape Partners CEO David Minor and The Toro Co.
