(VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.) STIHL Inc. partnered with the city of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation and local tree care companies, Poor Folks Tree Service and Bartlett Tree Experts, to give back to the community on Earth Day as part of the second annual Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Day of Service, a nationwide Earth Day event. The STIHL event took place Thursday, April 22 at Bayville Farms Park. This nationwide event gives large companies, like STIHL Inc., the opportunity to give back to their local communities and the environment.
“We are the largest privately-owned employer in Virginia Beach, and we believe it is our duty to be a great corporate citizen as well,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “This event was a great way to partner with the city of Virginia Beach, to give back to the community, and to help beautify Bayville Farms Park.”
The event provided around $25,000 worth of improvements to Bayville Farms Park with the help of volunteers from STIHL Inc., Poor Folks Tree Service, Bartlett Tree Experts, and city-trained personnel. Some of the improvements included removal of hazardous trees, tree planting, tree pruning, stump removal, stump grinding, spreading of mulch and pine straw, cleaning of flower beds, sand volleyball court replenishment, and playground mulch replenishment.
“We didn’t have the funds to clean up the park and make it as safe as it could be,” said Shawn Hopson, City of Virginia Beach open space manager. “Having the opportunity to form this partnership with STIHL Inc. and local tree care companies was a great way to maintain our beautiful parks, and their help really saved taxpayers’ money.”
“The space needed maintenance and tree repair, and I’m glad I was a part of the cleanup day to make it safer and more beautiful,” said Robson Lacerda, a volunteer from Poor Folks Tree Service. “I take my daughter to the park all the time, and it’s a great feeling to know it’s safer now, and that trees and limbs that could have posed a danger have been removed.”
STIHL Inc. is a supporting sponsor of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), an international association serving lawn care professionals, landscape management contractors, design/build/installation professionals, and interior plantscapers, and is one of many companies performing a variety of volunteer lawn and landscape projects to give back to their communities across the country. The event was organized to demonstrate the importance of maintaining green spaces in recognition of the PLANET Day of Service on Earth Day. More than 3,000 people in 38 states took part in the 2010 PLANET Day of Service.
For more information on PLANET Day of Service, visit planetdayofservice.org. For more information about STIHL Inc., please visit www.stihlusa.com.
About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world's largest selling brand of chain saws and cut-off machines and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through independent servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the U.S. only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the STIHL Web site at www.stihlusa.com .
STIHL is also pleased to support the work of the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), and the American Tree Farm System (ATFS).
About Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreations vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community. Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. For more information, call (757) 385-1100 (TTY: 757-711 Virginia Relay), or visit http://www.vbgov.com/parks
About PLANET
PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, is an international association serving lawn care professionals, landscape management contractors, design/build/installation professionals, and interior plantscapers. PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,000 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. For more information, visit LandcareNetwork.org, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.
