Due to recent personal and professional eco experiences, I question how we – as Industry professionals – will inspire ourselves as well as others who are significantly affected by environmental havoc.

Research conducted by Richard Lov and informally verified through a personal project revealed approximately 1/3 of the American population actively participates in ‘living green’ landscape/garden activities, 1/3 opt to maintain the status quo created by an original landscape installation; and unfortunately, the remaining 1/3 treat their landscape with a ‘back alley’ trash dump mentality. While in the past, I sought to inspire those who demonstrated commitment to experiment with newly released Industry plant materials or programs and encouraged others through educational activities to acquire understanding of their eco impact; nevertheless, I recently
encountered a consumer who I think represents a new 4^th category.

When solicited by a client to provide an analysis of her landscape and identify eco efficient strategies, I received for the first time an unexpected response. This client reacted with more or less ‘verbal abuse’, stating my recommendations were valueless. To be candid, as a hands-on landscape gardener, I can relate to frustration which is generated by the inability to guarantee sustainability for present-day landscapes; but at the same time, did not anticipate a verbal attack.

As one of the people who ‘dig in the dirt’ and dwell in the central Virginia Interstate 95 corridor, the fall of 2011 hopefully will be a once in a life time experience. In late August, the landscape experienced drought. Next, the earth shook with such vengeance that many of those who lived near the core of this earthquake were left homeless; and then, rain generated by the force of tropical storms occurred. At first, we gardeners were pleased to see the landscape recover its green but as the winds and down-pour of rain increased, each of us sought shelter from the rage of these storms. Finally, when the winds quiet, we explored the environmental havoc of our landscapes.

One-hundred plus year trees litter our communities, storm debris blanket open green spaces, and 21st century utility services were unavailable. If you were fortunate, personal property such as your home or vehicles were unharmed. So, hear me when I say, I relate to frustration created by the eco havoc of environmental shifts. Still, how do we inspire ourselves and others?

Due to the fact that my area experienced a 9-day electrical outage and 14-day communications outage, I adopt, as a friend joked an Amish schedule, working during day-light hours and retiring early at sun-set. Through this process, not only did my husband and I clear most of the storm debris and repair our damaged home but readied the garden space for a late-season fall planting. It was through a temporary disconnect from 21^st century life-styles that we chose to reconnect with the living green that surrounded us. As you would suspect, my husband and I are in the first 1/3 category identified by Lov’s research, those who connect with living green.

Nevertheless, the question is - in which category do you fall? Are you participating in activities that eco inspire your self and others; and, perhaps more importantly, what message through action or words are you conveying to others? My message is ‘green life’s garden one scoop at a time’.
What is your message?