Aquascape to Hold First-ever ‘Extreme Green Community Makeover’
Thursday, June 4, 2009, 5:30 p.m., EDT
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Aquascape contractors install a RainXchange System at a residence in Oswego, Ill. (Courtesy of Aquascape Inc.) | Aquascape Inc., a St. Charles, Ill.-based manufacturer of pond and water garden products, scheduled an Extreme Green Community Makeover to be held during its 10th annual Pondemonium pond and water garden industry event in July. The first-ever community rehab project, which is set for July 17 and 18, aims to transform an established neighborhood in Sugar Grove, Ill., into an eco-friendly community.
“Neighborhoods created before the popularity of sustainable landscapes can be retrofitted to become environmentally friendly,” said Ed Beaulieu, chief sustainability officer for Aquascape. “Our outdoor conservation efforts need not be limited to new construction sites. Our vision is to create a template for contractors or homeowner associations to implement in greening communities across North America.”
Pondemonium is Aquascape’s annual educational and networking event designed to help pond and water garden contractors, distributors and retailers grow their businesses. This year’s event is scheduled for July 16 to 19.
Pond and water garden Contractors attending Pondemonium may participate in the Extreme Green Community Makeover of the Lakes of Bliss Woods neighborhood. Lakes of Bliss Woods was selected to receive the makeover after Beaulieu, a resident there, helped drum up community interest in the project.
The community makeover will incorporate rainwater harvesting solutions, native plantings, pervious patios and LED landscaping. More than 30 rainwater harvesting projects are planned, according to organizers. Such projects include installing ecosystem ponds, rain gardens, RainXchange Rain Barrels and the RainXchange System paired with a pondless waterfall, decorative fountain or pervious pavers and fountain. A large aeration system will be added to the community’s retention pond.
Pondemonium attendees participating in the makeover can earn credit towards becoming a Certified RainXchange Professional, which is Aquascape’s newest certification program that focuses on environmental practices. Advanced and standard pond and water garden builds also provide credits for the Certified Aquascape Contractor program.
The Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit land and watershed protection organization based in Naperville, Ill., will certify yards that qualify for its Conservation @ Home program. The Conservation @ Home program encourages and recognizes property owners who protect and/or create yards that are environmentally friendly and conserve water.
Aquascape’s partners in creating the first-ever green makeover include Unilock of Aurora, Ill., JFNew of Walkerton, Ind., Aqua Control of Spring Valley, Ill., Caterpillar of Peoria, Ill., Toro of Bloomington, Minn., and the Conservation Foundation. To register for the Extreme Green Community Makeover or Pondemonium, visit www.aquascapeinc.com. Early-bird registration ends June 14.
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Aquascape to Hold First-ever ‘Extreme Green Community Makeover’
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