HERNDON, Va., April 2, 2012 —The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) today announced that plans are well underway for PLANET's Day of Service on April 20. The nationwide event allows lawn and landscape companies to perform volunteer projects in their communities. The projects vary and include caring for properties associated with worthwhile charities and nonprofits, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs and Habitat for Humanity, as well as for a large number of shelters, parks, schools, hospitals, and memorials.

On April 20, thousands of lawn and landscape professionals will mulch, prune, plant, mow, weed, and clean up at places such as Boys & Girls Clubs in Ferndale, Washington, and Winterville, N.C.; Habitat for Humanity in East Peoria, Ill.; Gilda's Club, a hospital project, in Buffalo, N.Y.; Ft. Sill National Memorial in Elgin, Okla., and Stroudsburg War Memorial in Stroudsburg, Pa.; an at-risk girls school in Aurora, Colo.; and a families-at-risk center in New London, Conn., where they'll renovate a playground; and will plant a garden for Helping Hands, which assists breast cancer patients, in Columbus, Ohio; and additional projects.

"This is the day when our industry is out in communities across the United States and in Canada giving back," explained Gerald J. Grossi, Landscape Industry Certified Technician, president of PLANET. "Last year, thousands of industry professionals volunteered at more than 200 projects in 43 states and Canada, with a value of more than $900,000."

While PLANET members give back in their communities throughout the year, PLANET's Day of Service provides an additional opportunity for members to give back while also celebrating Earth Day and National Volunteer Week. "As the professionals who create and maintain green spaces around the world, we think it is particularly important for us to celebrate Earth Day," Grossi adds.

For more information on PLANET's Day of Service, go to PlanetDayofService.org.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With approximately 3,500 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. Some of these professionals have taken the extra step of becoming certified through PLANET and bear the distinction of being known as Landscape Industry Certified.