HERNDON, Va., May 3, 2011 — On Earth Day, April 22, 2011, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) conducted its 3rd annual PLANET Day of Service, a grassroots effort that encourages individual members, supplier members, and state associations to create volunteer lawn care, landscape, and interiorscape projects in their own communities.

More than 3,200 volunteers from across 43 states and Canada participated in approximately 200 projects, including landscaping elementary schools, city parks, court houses, monuments, playgrounds, group homes, and senior citizen homes; educating local school children on the benefits of the green industry; and installing irrigation systems. It’s estimated that altogether more than $1 million in time and services was donated during this Day of Service.

Connecticut-based YardApes, Inc. renewed the green-spaces of two nonprofits and one area homeowner.“We sincerely enjoyed our day of working together with the common goal of making a difference in our community. We couldn’t have been more proud or felt more fulfilled,” says PLANET Public Relations Committee Chairman and YardApes President, Shayne Newman, Landscape Industry Certified. “PLANET, through its Day of Service, has given our company an unparalleled opportunity for team building. In the end, our community’s green spaces were renewed, as was our belief in volunteerism and community outreach.”

PLANET Day of Service sponsors play a significant role in supporting and participating in Day of Service. This year, there were a total of five Lead Sponsors and 21 Supporting Sponsors. The Lead Sponsors include Agrium Advanced Technologies, American Profit Recovery, JOHN DEERE, PBI/Gordon Corporation, and Shindaiwa.

 “It’s important for both our employees and our organization as a whole to engage in initiatives that support, sustain, and protect the environment,” says Agrium Advanced Technologies President Andrew Mittag. This PLANET Day of Service Lead Sponsor also partnered with High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) and the City of Loveland, Colorado, to improve green spaces and bolstering environmental stewardship and sustainability “Participating in activities on Earth Day and PLANET Day of Service is just one way we can show our support while helping improve green spaces in our own backyard,” Mittag adds.

For more information about PLANET Day of Service, visit planetdayofservice.org, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 3,600 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.