5-24-11: Telling the Story of Green - Grassroots Initiative Promoting Green Space in Milwaukee Area

When most people look at their yard, they see unwanted chores. Local Project EverGreen volunteers see opportunity. For the past three years, Project EverGreen has been helping Milwaukee area residents preserve and enhance green spaces in their communities.

Nationally renowned horticulturalist and Project EverGreen supporter Melinda Myers believes many people don't realize the impact their own yards can have if properly maintained. "These mini green spaces are packed with the potential to improve personal health, cut energy costs around the house, boost a property's market value, and increase the community's overall appeal," she says.

Fellow Project EverGreen volunteer Heather Schuster shares Myers' passion for promoting the benefits of green space. As a member of the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA) and co-owner of Terra-Firma Landscape, Inc., in Muskego, Wis., Schuster has dedicated the last 18 years to managing green spaces for local commercial businesses and condominium complexes.

"Lawns, gardens, parks and other green spaces remove pollutants from the air and water, give off high-quality oxygen and offer a number of other environmental benefits to cities and suburbs," says Schuster.

The need to raise green space awareness prompted a unique partnership between Myers, the WLCA and Project EverGreen, a national nonprofit organization committed to informing the American public about the positive effects of well-maintained green spaces, including lawns, landscapes, sports turf, golf courses and parks.

Since 2009 the trio has renovated roughly 60 sports fields during their annual Sports Field Renovation Day, created The Art of Green Spaces art competition with the Milwaukee Public Schools and established the Because Green Matters Award program for local businesses. In recognition of these accomplishments, the City of Milwaukee recently proclaimed May as "Project EverGreen Month."

"Improving local green spaces can be as simple as putting down mulch, planting a tree or feeding your lawn," says Myers. Schuster and Myers share a few of their favorite green space maintenance tips in the "Top Tips for Green Space Care" section.

At the end of the day, Myers and Schuster and their fellow volunteers hope their efforts will help people in the Milwaukee area to see the potential in their green spaces. "We want to inspire others in our communities to pitch in and help maintain local landscapes," says Schuster.

5-2-11: May is Project EverGreen Month in Milwaukee

The City of Milwaukee has proclaimed May as "Project EverGreen Month" to honor a three-year partnership between Project EverGreen and Milwaukee. A national nonprofit organization, Project EverGreen has worked with the city since 2009 to increase awareness of the importance of green space and to create green spaces throughout Milwaukee and surrounding areas. Green spaces include residential and commercial lawns and landscapes, community spaces, golf courses, sports fields and parks.

The timing of the announcement couldn't be better, says Cindy Code, Project Evergreen executive director. "Warmer temperatures and hopefully less rain make May the month people naturally start yard work," says Code. "May is the perfect time to remind people of the economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits green spaces bring to communities. Project EverGreen works to inspire Milwaukee residents to increase the number of well-maintained green spaces in their city."

Melinda Myers, a nationally renowned local horticulturalist, and the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA) have joined Project EverGreen to address the importance of adding and maintaining green space in the greater Milwaukee area. With funding and support from Project EverGreen, Milwaukee has also established volunteer opportunities, contests and awards to encourage community involvement and support for local green space.

Last November, Project EverGreen and the WLCA renovated nearly 30 baseball diamonds in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin as part of the Project's annual Sports Field Renovation Day.

The Art of Green Spaces competition, a Project EverGreen initiative with the Milwaukee Public Schools, encourages young people to create art demonstrating why they believe green spaces are important to Milwaukee residents of all ages.

The Because Green Matters Award recognizes companies for their ongoing efforts to make Milwaukee a greener place. Past recipients include WE Energies, Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual, Aurora Healthcare, and Mandel Group.

"Project EverGreen offers many ways to help you make your community a greener place, from tips for your lawn or garden to park renovations," says Code. "Caring for our green spaces adds beauty to our cities and helps protect the environment for future generations."

11-8-10: Sports Field Renovation Day revitalizes many local green spaces - Event sponsored by Project EverGreen and WLCA has successful second installment

Approximately 30 sports fields in the Greater Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin areas were renovated by landscape contractors on Saturday, Nov. 6. The efforts were part of the second annual Sports Field Renovation Day, sponsored by nonprofit Project EverGreen and the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association (WLCA).

To keep fields vibrant and viable for communities, the volunteer contractors fertilized and aerated fields. Melinda Myers, an internationally renowned local horticulturalist, also assisted with the event.

"I'm thrilled that Project EverGreen and the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association have stepped up to help revitalize green areas within our communities," Myers said. "The newly renovated sports fields will enhance the area and provide kids with a great place to get out and enjoy the outdoors."

As part of the renovation day each participating contractor chose at least one field to renovate. Time, labor and costs were donated by the contractors. A portion of the fertilizer was provided to field sites by Spring Valley Turf Products of Jackson, Wis.

In a time when the struggling economy has made it more difficult to maintain healthy sports fields, these renovations will ensure a safer environment for children by eliminating bare spots and creating a more consistent playing surface to help prevent injuries.

"As owner of Terra-Firma Landscape, I am pleased to volunteer for the Second Annual Sports Field Renovation Day," said Heather Schuster. "At Terra-Firma, we understand the value of well-maintained green spaces and support Project EverGreen's mission."

Project EverGreen leads many other green space promotions in the Milwaukee area. It sponsors an "Art of Green Spaces" competition with Milwaukee Public Schools in which students create visual art demonstrating the importance of green space preservation. Project EverGreen volunteers also attend many community activities and events throughout the summer to educate the public on the importance of creating and maintaining green spaces.

5-27-10: May is Project EverGreen Month

The City of Milwaukee proclaims the month of May as "Project EverGreen Month." With summer around the corner, Project EverGreen is inspiring people through its educational program to increase the number of well-maintained green spaces throughout Milwaukee. Green spaces include residential and commercial lawns and landscapes, community spaces, golf courses, sports fields and parks.

Project EverGreen is a national nonprofit organization representing green industry service providers, associations and suppliers. The organization is committed to adding green spaces that will help climate change and create economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits. This is Milwaukee's second year as one of several cities selected for Project EverGreen's initiative "GreenCare for Communities Zones" established to increase public awareness locally.

"Adding green space can be as easy as planting a tree, spreading grass seed or planting shrubbery," said Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen. "The more green space we create and maintain, the better off we'll be."

The Milwaukee Project EverGreen team recently participated in two area events: the Urban Ecology Center's Earth Day Celebration and the "Party for the Planet" event at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Both events focused on educating Milwaukee's public about preserving the planet for future generations. Attendees received sunflower seeds to plant and increase the amount of green around them.

Project EverGreen is also collaborating with Stein Gardens & Gifts and Melinda Myers, a nationally renowned local horticulturalist, to address the importance of adding and maintaining green space in Milwaukee.

"You don't have to plant a garden or even be a gardener," said Myers. "Adding green to your lawn and community is easy, and Project EverGreen is playing a proactive role in helping the public understand how important it is to plant green."

Throughout the year the Wisconsin Landscape Contractor Association and other organizations assist Project EverGreen by representing the city's green spaces during Summerfest and other local events. Volunteers will pass out educational literature, seed packets and other items to help attendees learn more about building and maintaining green spaces. Project EverGreen also leads a nationwide outreach program "GreenCare for Troops," which continuously connects local green industry professionals with men and women serving in the armed forces. GreenCare for Troops helps volunteers provide free lawn and landscape services to more than 10,000 military families nationwide. Additionally the Art of Green Spaces competition, a Project EverGreen initiative with the Milwaukee Public Schools, encourages young people to create a type of visual art that demonstrates why they believe green spaces are important to Milwaukee. Visual arts can include a written essay or poem, vocal or instrumental music, artwork, and dance or drama exhibits. The second annual competition will begin this fall, and winners will have their work recognized at an awards ceremony and displayed in prominent public locations. Milwaukee area baseball fields will also undergo renovations as part of Project EverGreen's mission to renew green spaces. Landscape design professionals will begin work in the fall.

11-19-08: Melinda Meyers Discusses Project EverGreen on WUWM-FM

Gardening expert Melinda Myers tells us about the unique and powerful mission of Project EverGreen. Myers is the author of numerous books on gardening, including Month-by-Month Gardening in Wisconsin.

7-2-08: Aurora St. Luke's Dedicates Rooftop Healing Garden and Conservatory

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – A panoramic downtown Milwaukee view, lush greenery and a calming fountain greet visitors to the rooftop healing garden at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. These are among the sights and sounds awaiting guests at the newly opened Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds Healing Garden and the Agnes and Morland Hamilton Healing Conservatory.

“We want our patients and their families to have a tranquil, calm oasis they can come to when they are at the hospital,” says Mary O’Brien, chief administrative officer for Aurora St. Luke’s. “They come to us for medical care to heal their bodies. This garden gives them a place to find spiritual healing as well.”

The 14,000-square-foot healing garden, on an eighth floor rooftop, includes a 4,000-square-foot glass conservatory for year-round access to the garden’s trees, shrubs, flowers and water features. The sweeping view includes Miller Park, downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan.

“The results are fantastic,” says Don Tendick Jr., the design committee chair and a major healing garden donor. ”My favorite part will be seeing people enjoy it.”

The project was designed with ideas from patients and caregivers. Pathways are from 5 to 8 feet wide to accommodate hospital beds and wheelchairs. To encourage reflection there is a paved labyrinth and several works of art. Water features include an interactive fountain pool and an 8-by-11 foot water wall.

Healing Garden Dedication

The garden contains more than 1,900 plants and has several environmentally friendly features, such as a green roof on the conservatory. Also, regional building materials, like Minnesota limestone, were used in the construction. The garden is going through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process and has earned enough points at this juncture for basic certification.

Physicians, such as Dr. Bernard Staller, a cardiologist at St. Luke’s for 36 years and a garden donor, support the new space.

“The concept was appealing to me from the outset,” Dr. Staller says. “This will be very uplifting for patients and families. Good care is not just about healing the body, but healing the emotions and spirit.”

A quiet refuge within a bustling hospital environment will be particularly meaningful for those with lengthy hospital stays. Julie Campbell is one patient in particular who is looking forward to venturing into the garden.

Campbell has been tethered to total artificial heart (TAH-t) at Aurora St. Luke’s for more than a year. She gets outside when the weather permits, but her options are limited because of the logistics of moving the TAH-t. The garden will give her a safe haven, she says.

“I’ve been watching them building it from my window,” Campbell says. “I can’t wait to get in to see it.”
The Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds provided $1.5 million toward the $4.9 million project, and the Agnes and Moreland Hamilton estate donated $1.7 million. Aurora St. Luke’s is part of Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit health care provider.
Christian Barry, president of the Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds, says the garden reflects the funds’ mission to support compassionate care.
“While Vince Lombardi himself was receiving treatment for cancer, he had a window that looked out onto a football field,” Barry says. “Being able to see the world, unconfined by four walls, brought light to some of his darkest days. We hope that this innovative garden brings comfort and hope to many people.”
Aurora offers services in more than 90 communities in eastern Wisconsin.