September 15, 2009
A newly created award will recognize environmentally responsible retailers and growers in the horticulture and floriculture industries.

The inaugural Green for Life Award will be celebrated at the 10th Anniversary Garden Party of Garden & Floral Expo. All participants are invited to the garden party in the Sutherland Room at 5 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 20, where the Green for Life winners will be announced.   

The award is part of Landscape Ontario’s public mission, Green for Life, which promotes the joys and benefits of plants and green spaces. The new award program is open to retailers, wholesalers, and growers across Canada. It is designed to raise awareness, while recognizing those who demonstrate continuous improvement in environmental stewardship, including responsible environmental practices in the management and operations of business.

Strategies for successful environmental stewardship may be found in the Environmental Scorecard, developed by Landscape Ontario’s Environmental Stewardship Committee. By filling out the scorecard, companies get a snapshot of their environmental scores, and a blueprint for progress. To access the Environmental Stewardship Scorecard, go to www.horttrades.com. Under the menu heading, Resources and services, find the menu for Environmental Scorecard.

Those completing the survey are automatically entered into the Green for Life Award.   

Participants, who complete their scorecards by Oct. 1, will receive a graded report and be eligible to win one of three $500 cash prizes courtesy of Turf Revolution.

Garden & Floral Expo takes place at the Toronto Congress Centre on Oct. 20-21. It is Canada’s fall buying show for the green and floral industries. Over 3,400 buyers will attend the expo, which showcases new products, recent plant and floral introductions and product demonstrations.