If asked to define the concept eco leadership, what would you respond? Although there are academic programs which highlight eco leadership and eco-biz media that acknowledges it, there remains a lack of visible eco leadership. So, is there a set of characteristics, a profile that defines the eco leader?

     In general terms, eco leaders are people who enable sustainability, participate in activities that provide for their present-day life-style without sacrificing the overall eco-health of others. Nevertheless, through research and interactive workshop participation, it was identified leaders who enable eco change do more than the expected. In fact, they illustrate the following traits

• Moral value, understand difference between right and wrong
• Plugged into Eco Sustainability Vision
• Not only accept but seek accountability
• Self Disciplined
• Optimism, believe change can make a difference
• Determination to create eco change
• Empathic but consistent in state of mind
• Inspire others to equally contribute
• Decisive but fair - considerate of others
• Manage failure, conflict, criticism and change
• Facilitate an environment that supports leadership style
• Delegate as well as depend on the skill of others
• Establish plans but flexible in guidelines
• Ability to focus – separate problem/issue from people
• Facilitate eco consensus
• Create ‘considered change’, synergistic eco solutions
• Avoid ‘green-washing’, overstating benefit/result

     Still, during a workshop held in our Nation’s capital, when community leaders were asked to identify eco leaders, no one could identify a regional much less nation-wide leader. So, the question is “Can you identify people in your circle of acquaintance who illustrate eco leadership traits?”

     In prior blogs and columns I asked the question “Would you similar to my colleague Ed Snodgrass of Emory Knoll Farms, http://www.greenroofplants.com/, be recognized as an eco leader, a person who is growing green their market share?” Coined by media as the ‘Green Roof Man of the Year’, Snodgrass, a committed conservationist, acquired his visibility through supplying plants for over one million square feet of green roofs in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Could you be coined by media as an ‘eco man/woman of the year’? Are you and/or your colleagues participating in activities that not only provide for present-day life-styles without sacrificing the overall eco-health of others but ‘green (planet/profit)’ market share? Are you participating in activities that illustrate eco leadership traits, communicating a commitment with civility, honesty and integrity while positioning your self and/or product/service as a viable link in a network that supports the distribution of limited eco resources? Are you seen as an eco leader, a leader of ‘considered’ change?    

About the author – Sylvia Hoehns Wright, author of Seven Steps to Grow Green Market Share, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-grow-green-market-share/12934131 and The ABCs of Green Industry Communications: assess, brand & communicate, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-abcs-of-green-industry-communications/4446043, challenges all to ‘grow green their market share’. To acquire Wright’s books or her assistance as an eco-biz communications specialist, link to www.TheWrightScoop.com Sylvia’s Store option.  

     Recently, I opened my central Virginia garden for a walk-about. As my guests walked the space, I shared stories of the plant origins, some native and others either heirloom or vendor supplied regional test plants. Pausing to draw attention to an array of colored violets, I pointed out that introduced native white blooming violets, previously located on my grandparents’ farm, had cross pollinate with regional purple blooming violets to create a rainbow of varied colors. Next, I focus attention on an herb, feverfew. Named for its medical purpose, these plants were brewed into a tea-like drink for their ability to lesson the affect of fevers. Again, pausing, my guests and I experienced the wonder of towering ‘snow ball’ shrubs covered with blooms and the smell of ‘mock orange’ shrubs in bloom.

     Carefully stepping around beds of plants, I lift leaves to expose seedlings. Helleborus, peonies, iris and Japanese maple trees supplied by vendors as test plants had produced volunteer seedlings. Nevertheless, perhaps the more impressive planting is a massive mound of heirloom roses. Clippings most likely transported by my immigrant homesteading family are presently interwoven as a blend of pink and white blooms. While the guests and I discuss stories connected to these generational plants, I am reminded of the lyrics of a song.

     In the song - Be the Hands, the Heart of God – a phrase is repeated: ‘save a little bit, then pass it on’. While the song refers to the concept of saving peace, love, and light I’d add heirloom plant clippings. For, it is a connection with plants that enables our ability to sustain. So, as we celebrate spring, a season of plant renewal, let’s reflect on what each of us can do to adopt lifelong habits of environmental stewardship, ‘save a little bit then pass it on’. Let’s make choices that insure the survival of heirloom plants, creating a legacy of healthier urban/suburban communities.

Side-bar:  Heirloom Roses

Arm and arm like sisters,

                    ramblers intertwine

Linking generations,

                    patience grew the vine.

Gardener shared the clippings,

                    homestead beautified.

Joining families together,

                    tradition glorified.

Arm and arm like sisters,

                   gardeners did commit

To a family’s heritage,

                   for their benefit.   

After the experience of a seasonal warm mid March which enabled the installation of ‘cool season’ veggies, we returned to cold, misty gray days slowing progress of ‘cool season’ plant growth. Nevertheless, because of recent warm humid spring days, these plants ‘jump start’. Rows of early season veggies will soon offer a harvest and the installed ‘warm season’ veggies are poking their heads through tilled ground.

Still, to be candid, after the experience of two extreme cold late springs followed by early drought, I approach an optimal planting season with caution – I keep so-to-speak ‘waiting for the other shoe to fall’. For, it is a lush productive spring filled with the promise of harvest. To celebrate the season, I recently host a walk-about my gardens. As I discussed my planting strategies and results, I was reminded of who supplied what – vendor test plants, plants shared by family and other gardeners and those which occur as volunteer, gifts of nature.

Documenting the lush spring blooms, I photograph newly installed as well as established plantings. And as always, there are a few plants that stand out. For 2011, it is the year of the old fashioned ‘snow ball’ shrub. Initially, this plant was acquired through digging up an old neglected plant, removing invasive honeysuckle vines and installing the spinally rooting in protective areas. As a result, one of the plants towers more than 25 feet in height and is densely covered with snow ball shaped blooms.

Year 2011 is also the year of azalea blooms and as these blooms decline, English blue bells, peonies, iris and roses open to contribute color. Trees spread a backdrop of green leaves and grassy areas turn a lush green. The beige of winter disappears as warm moist spring weather triggers an array of habitat of growth and edible plants.

Presently, I’m working through my yard gardens – scooping up volunteer plants and mowing the lawn of other unwanted additions. As I scoop up valued volunteer plants, I place the seedlings in trays and after monitoring stability, install in more appropriate areas. For example, a favorite volunteer plant is peony. VA based developer Brent & Becky Bulb a few years ago, gave me 4 plants – white, light pink, dark pink and red. These plants drop seeds producing a mass of seedlings – jokingly I refer to the area as my ‘peony farm’ but realistically, I truly enjoy the promised horticulture surprise of these plants. Similarly, both native white and purple violets cross pollinated to produce a rainbow of pastel colors. So, based on personal experience, I extend a word of caution – as you weed a garden space, wait for the second set of leaves to determine the value of your volunteer plants.

As I complete month of April activities and begin May, I anticipate blooms from my rose garden and harvest from the kitchen garden. And because tomorrow is expected to be another day in which I can continue to ‘dig in the dirt’, I’ll be outside – will you? For additional tips/strategies, link to web site www.TheWrightScoop.com.    

Workshop – Edible landscaping for the Hands-on Landscape Gardener

Scheduled Saturday May 7, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and held at Colesville Nursery, Ashland VA – www.colesvillenursery.com, fee $35 payable by check/cash to Sylvia Hoehns Wright. Upon completion, attendees receive 20% discount on retail purchase at Colesville Nursery. RSVP contact Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com  or 804-672-6007.  

Prerequisites: interest in ‘digging in the dirt’

Course Description: The goal of workshop Edible landscaping for the Hands-on Landscape Gardener is to create awareness that fruit/vegetable gardening does not need to be a boring row-by-row experience. Eco-chic gardeners mix it up in design, style and plant selection creating edible habitats for themselves and the critters that share the space.

Content: Using the text, From Eco-weak to Eco-chic: landscape green - http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/from-eco-weak-to-eco-chic-landscape-green/7539795  attendees explore

      Gardening Green - Adopt a naturalist perspective, a “waste not, want not” ecological commitment.

      Eco-chic Landscape/Garden Design - Any style garden should not simply illustrate traditional design but be the result of the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating a legacy of green, healthier urban/suburban communities.

      Use of Eco-efficient Site Plan - Eco-chic landscape gardeners analyze each design element; in terms of its makeup as well as placement enabling a more eco-healthy location.

      Use of Topography for Its Advantage – An adequately drawn site plan includes topography delineation. For, it is the relationship of hardscape in topography that creates the affect of a wind, shade, and north/south/east/west climatic exposure.

      Feed Soil, not Plants - The goal is to create soil that is somewhat an equal mixture of clay, sand and composted matter. 

      Conserve Nutrients - The use of mulch or compost as a form of insulation in addition to its value of reducing soil erosion retains moisture and minimizes fluctuation of soil temperature.

      Be Water Wise - Select plants appropriate for each water-zone.

      Select ‘edible plants’ of personal interest that provide habitat for self and critters that share the space.

Instructor - The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright, eco consultant, lecturer & wordsmith.  For details, see www.TheWrightScoop.com or contact 804-672-6007 or email: Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com   

     If you were asked, “What are you doing to ‘grow green (plant/profit)’ your market share,” what would you respond? Would you similar to my colleague Ed Snodgrass of Emory Knoll Farms be recognized as an eco leader, a person who is growing green their market share?  

     Nationally coined by media as the ‘Green Roof Man of the Year’, Snodgrass, a committed conservationist, has supplied plants for over one million square feet of green roofs in 20 states and the District of Columbia. And, perhaps more importantly, if you look behind his commercial commitment, you will see that it extends far beyond a business focus. He applies his philosophy, ‘don’t take more out of the Earth than we are able to put back’, to all facets of his lifestyle.

    While it can appear difficult to identify ‘eco-biz greening strategies’, in most cases it is a matter of applying effective core business strategies such as efficiency of scale: create maximum output from minimum eco resources input. In a prior blog/column I identified the nation-wide lack of recognized eco leadership. So, through writing a series of blog/columns, I hope to initiate discussion of ‘how to’ resolve this issue.

     For the present, let me share a few ‘grow green market share’ tips -

•    Become a steward of the land because ‘green matters’.

•    Be aware research has revealed 8 of 10 consumers prefer a green product, service or information; regardless of age, green matters. Consumers are willing to pay more (usually 5 to 10%); and, prefer to deal with a company that has an established ‘greening’ reputation.

•    Provide ‘green’ products or services defined as ‘made/provided with little environmental harm’: goods or services produced in environmentally and ecologically friendly ways, e.g. by using renewable resources.

•    Strive to create ultimate ‘green’ products or services that meet present-day consumer demand without impacting future generation resources.

•    Understand the Ps – product, publicity, promotion, people, planet & profit – as each influence ‘greening’ market share; and then, develop vision/mission statements and green initiatives which enable media formats that support brand recognition.

•    Use mechanics involved in creating branded images and identify communication formats that create a differentiated message, an industry appropriate image sustained by viable ‘green’ products or services.

•    Inject the market place with a unique, consistent, desirable ‘green’ persona position that reigns over a consumer’s mind and is so highly valued that you and/or your product are not simply seen as “a” product but “the” product.

•    Become the recognized niche product or service eco-brand, create a brand name - you!

     If a colleague in your region were asked the question, “pause for moment, who do you consider to be an eco leader,” would he/she visualize you? Could you be coined by media as an ‘eco man/woman of the year’? Are you participating in activities that ‘green (planet/profit)’ your market share?    

To share comments, ideas or strategies related to this subject or other communication topics, contact Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com. Contribute to a series of topics that are helpful to the Industry.

About the author – Sylvia Hoehns Wright, author of Seven Steps to Grow Green Market Share, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/seven-steps-to-grow-green-market-share/12934131 and The ABCs of Green Industry Communications: assess, brand & communicate, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-abcs-of-green-industry-communications/4446043 challenges all to ‘grow green their market share’. To acquire Wright’s books or her assistance as an eco-biz communications specialist, link to www.TheWrightScoop.com Sylvia’s Store option or contact (804)672-6007.

Recently, I noticed posted comments – ‘when are you going to post more about gardening in March?’.  Well, while March in central VA – Richmond – started with normality, it concluded with a freeze, snow and back to back cold misty gray days which stalled my outdoor activities. Since today has the promise of late p.m. sun and a warmer temperature, I plan to resume my activities.

Since it was cold, misty and gray, I turned my attention to designing a garden for a local client and was remind of changes in my installation strategy. Due to the fact that for the past two years we experienced significant mid summer drought, I recommended the new design start with installation of  zone 1 (near a water source) and for this spring, only install planting areas that were somewhat sheltered by the home’s SW shadow and reached by the site’s water system. Then in late Sept when my area fall rain cycle starts, have the woodland areas and wildflower meadow installed.  

Because we for the past two years have experienced back to back more than 100 degree days with little or no rain fall, last year I implemented a ‘Wright recommends fall planting strategy’ campaign, http://www.pr.com/press-release/276419. And, frankly, I presently have no reason to believe that the summer of 2011 will be different. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion related to the effect of global warming but to make it simple – dry seasons become more dry and wet/cold, more wet/cold; in other words, more extreme weather patterns. Still, it is ‘living green’ that mediates these patterns so we need to do everything we can to install and maintain ‘living green’ landscapes.

Nevertheless, my ‘cool season’ plantings of veggie and berry bearing plants prosper. And, I'm presently waiting for warmer soil to start installing 'warm season' veggies.  So far, my strategy of a poultry fence is deterring  the geese. And, the perennials forwarded by Skagit Gardens for installation

·         Campanula ‘Viking’

·         Centaurea ‘Black Sprite’

·         Coreopsis Big Bang™ ‘Cosmic Evolution’

·         Coreopsis Big Bang™ ‘Star Cluster’

·         Gaillardia Commotion® ‘Moxie’

·         Scabiosa Mariposa Violet

survived the cold spell and move forward with growth.  And, my new 'test' Greenland Gardener Raised Garden is not only installed but inspired the grand-kids to have their parents install above ground garden boxes, too.

Today is  April 1^st and as long as the weather works for me, I’m headed out to continue ‘digging in the dirt’ - are you? What have you planted in your 2011 garden?

Scheduled April 9, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and held at Colesville Nursery, Ashland VA – www.colesvillenursery.com, fee $35 payable by check/cash to Sylvia Hoehns Wright. Upon completion, attendees receive 20% discount on retail purchase at Colesville Nursery. RSVP contact Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com or 804-672-6007.   

Prerequisites: interest in ‘digging in the dirt’

Course Description: The goal of workshop Eco-scaping for the Hands-on Landscape Gardener is to identify the 4 Ps - ‘Right Plant, Place, and Planting Strategy Purchased to support Buy-Local: developers, growers and retailers’.  Plants that meet the 4 P criteria, in general, adapt to environmental conditions, maintain or improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and often require less fertilizer and pesticides than many alien plants.    

Content: Using the text, From Eco-weak to Eco-chic: landscape green - http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/from-eco-weak-to-eco-chic-landscape-green/7539795  attendees explore

      Gardening Green - Adopt a naturalist perspective, a “waste not, want not” ecological commitment.

      Eco-chic Landscape/Garden Design - Any style garden should not simply illustrate traditional design but be the result of the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating a legacy of green, healthier urban/suburban communities.

     Use of Eco-efficient Site Plan - Eco-chic landscape gardeners analyze each design element; in terms of its makeup as well as placement enabling a more eco-healthy location.

     Use of Topography for Its Advantage – An adequately drawn site plan includes topography delineation. For, it is the relationship of hardscape in topography that creates the affect of a wind, shade, and north/south/east/west climatic exposure.

     Feed Soil, not Plants - The goal is to create soil that is somewhat an equal mixture of clay, sand and composted matter. 

     Go Lawn Tough - Before selecting a ground cover, identify its purpose. If the intent is to use an area for active recreation, traditional lawns or non-plant groundcovers could be appropriate.

     Conserve Nutrients - The use of mulch or compost as a form of insulation in addition to its value of reducing soil erosion retains moisture and minimizes fluctuation of soil temperature.

     Be Water Wise - Select plants appropriate for each water-zone.

Instructor - The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright, eco consultant, lecturer & wordsmith.  For details, see www.TheWrightScoop.com or contact 804-672-6007 or email: Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com 

"Each time a girl opens a book and reads a womanless history, she learns she is worth less," says Myra Pollack Sadker.

While almost all Americans can find themselves, their ancestors, or their community through archive research, in celebration of 'women in history' , I urge you to take research a step further, document your  heritage through identifying, recording and sharing family stories.

As the child who inherited family photograph albums, I identified as many people as possible; and during this process, developed interest is acquiring their life-stories. In fact, it was through participating in a national celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s legacy that I understood for the first time, the impact of my family’s heritage, Quaker.  For, although I'm three generations removed from this heritage, there is one central guideline - caretaker – which continues to influence day-to-day life decisions.

Basically, the Quaker culture views itself as a caretaker, not owner of property - a role which implies providing for the present without sacrificing the future. In my book – A Path Worn Smooth, http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-path-worn-smooth/4200561  which is dedicated to the people of my community Laurel Historic District - http://www.laurelgallery.net/wright_book.html , I invite readers to walk on a path worn smooth by generational expectation. Savor nostalgia for the places that are near and dear to my heart, recall family traditions and more importantly, renew experiences. Challenging all to celebrate heritage because heritage is more than a possession, it is a gift: the birthright of our children.

So, to emphasize this gift, I want to share with you a few facts/stores that illustrate the influence of legacy. Due to the influence of a Quaker value - equality, my grandmother directly inherited property from her father and transferred property to her daughters establishing a tradition that influenced the transfer of property directly from my Dad to me.  And, during the Civil War, it was my great-grandmother who stood tall in the face difficulty. Although abandoned by a husband placed in a Confederate work camp, she risks family security to participate in an act of humanity, the sharing of her family’s grave site with soldiers of both blue and gray.  

The women of my Dad’s family were self reliant and saw themselves as a ‘caretaker’ working the land along side their husbands.  In my book, I share stories of these women and their influence from initial settlement of the Bolton property in 1838 to the present.  To hear an author interview, link to the Renee Bobb Radio Show -  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thereneebobbshow/2010/02/24/meet-the-award-winning-author-sylvia-wright  or view an interview, link to Henrico County Hunt for History - http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news-video/2011/jan/29/1/re-enactors-at-hunt-for-henrico-history-45340-vi-23980/ .

Recently, my book was recommended by the National Women in History Project, http://www.nwhp.org/blog/?p=680 .  For 2011,  NWHP’s theme is ‘Our HISTORY is Our Strength ‘ . Rather than highlighting national figures, the NWHP - www.nwhp.org - encourages individuals to discover stories about women in their own families and communities. Knowing the challenges these women faced, grappled with, and overcame can be an enormous source of strength to all of us.

Because I am a child of the era ‘tell instead of read’ me a story, in my e-book edition, http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/a-path-worn-smooth/10645451 , I included research tips and strategies that enable identification as well as publication of family histories. To further inspire others, I provide lectures - http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/civil-war/2011/feb/27/sesquicentennial-lectures-historical-society-washi/ and offer an adult Ed writer’s workshop through my local County adult Ed program.  So, in celebration of 'women in history', join me in an effort to encourage others to research and highlight their legacy. Together, let's insure no ‘girl opens a book and reads a womanless history, learns she is worth less.’  

If I asked you the following question - visualize a group/organization or person who you see as an eco leader, could you identify an eco leader? Recently during a workshop, I solicited an answer to this question and received what I consider to be a disturbing response, an answer that should be a wake-up call to the Industry as a whole.

Solicited as a workshop instructor for National League of Cities conference held in DC, my topic was change/green America's landscape. As part of the 3-hour workshop, I presented individual, business and community eco commitment examples and tips/strategies. At the end of each section, attendees actively participated with opinion and input. In fact, there were representatives from the 'eco progressive' state of Oregon, California, mid-west states and east coast area, too. So, workshop attendees were a diverse array of representation. 

Then, as a final exercise, I asked the group to 'pause' and visualize a group/organization or person who they saw as an eco leader. After reading a list of compiled eco leadership characteristics, I asked if my list matched their visualized person/group. But instead of initiating a chatty discussion, you could ‘hear a pin drop’. Finally, a representative from Texas spoke up and said when he 'paused to visualize' an eco leader, he could not visualize a person and/or group. His candid response opened the door for further discussion and the remaining nation-wide city/community leadership reps also stated their inability to identify a person and/or group considered to be eco leaders. So, my question is what are we doing as Industry participants to not be seen as eco leaders, people who green America's landscape?

Most of you are aware that in addition to being a person who 'digs in the dirt' and advocates others to join in, I participate as an Industry writer and communications advocate/instructor. In fact, a few years ago, a local Dean of Horticulture asked if I'd combine personal skills plus my 20 years of Corporate experience with 'living green' Industry requirements to create a college level communications course. As a result, I published a book - The ABCs of Green Industry Communications,

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-abcs-of-green-industry-communications/4446043, provide ongoing workshops/speeches and publish articles and columns. Still,

I feel like I've made minimal Industry impact. 

So, to enable a discussion of how to fix the issue of ‘not being seen as eco leaders’ I’m going to share ‘Sylvia’s opinion’. I think we need to first and foremost mandate communications education and include college level

communications courses in both 2 and 4 year Industry programs. During every Industry educational event at least for the present, have a keynote focus as well as workshop on the topic of effective PR/marketing communications. Include in media publications a tips and strategies communications, marketing and/or PR column. Although at one time there was talk of organizing some type of combined Industry effort to improve consumer visibility but I'm not aware of an effort - are you? And, to be candid, I personally think the present issue is more of a lack of individual participant visibility than the Industry as a whole.  

On the personal side, I plan to work with the sponsors of the 'all cities' educational conference to provide additional eco education workshops; and perhaps, through ongoing events enable a forum for eco leadership discussion. I also plan to create an e-book format of my communications book and perhaps, this format will help enable its availability, visibility and distribution. And, of course as an advocate for the Industry, I'll continue to write columns/blogs and do whatever I can to create consumer awareness of the Green Industry's value.

Why? To be candid during a future workshop when I ask the question 'who do you visualize as an eco leader’, I'd prefer to hear regional stories of eco-goodness - greening America's landscape instead of hearing - 'I can't visualize an eco leader.' What do you think we - as an Industry - need to do to be recognized individually and as a whole by our Nation's leadership as eco leaders?