Honoring Heroes Through Green Spaces: Volunteers Needed for “A Grateful Embrace”

Cleveland, Ohio
A Grateful Embrace – sponsored by the Ohio Lawn Care Association – honors our nation’s fallen heroes by caring for the sacred grounds where they rest.

Mobile Drawing Tool Helps Users Easily Map Green Spaces and Measure Environmental Impact with Clean Air Calculator

Cleveland, Ohio
The mobile drawing tool allows Clean Air Calculator users to easily map their green spaces and learn the amount of clean air they generate, directly from their smartphones or tablets.

Outdoor Learning Spaces: How Schools Benefit and Practical Ways to Create Them

Cleveland, Ohio
A vibrant, healthy landscape does more than turn heads it cools the environment, improves air and water quality, supports biodiversity, and brings communities together.

Heritage Landscape Supply Group and Project EverGreen: A Shared Vision

Heritage Landscape Supply Group’s Chief Operating Officer Chris McMurrough is a Project EverGreen Board Member. Heritage is a Platinum Partner of the GreenCare for Troops initiative.

When you drive through a beautiful neighborhood, you see more than attractive landscaping you see something powerful. You see communities where life happens. Families gather, children play safely, and neighbors connect.

That’s why Heritage Landscape Supply Group proudly supports Project EverGreen and its mission to preserve and enhance the green spaces that strengthen our communities.

Shared Values, Shared Mission

Project EverGreen’s commitment to promoting healthy green spaces aligns perfectly with what Heritage sees every day. The lawn and landscape professionals they serve are doing more than installing irrigation systems or maintaining lawns, they are creating the spaces where life unfolds.

Heritage Landscape Supply Group’s Heritage Cares ELEVATE Charity Concerts, like this one in Louisville, drive engagement and support for Project EverGreen’s initiatives. Pictured are Heritage’s Chris McMurrough (left) and Project EverGreen’s Cindy Code.

Across the country, green spaces make a measurable difference. They boost property values, manage stormwater runoff, clean the air, and provide welcoming places for exercise, play, and connection. Supporting Project EverGreen means investing in the places where customers, employees, and neighbors live, work, and play.

GreenCare for Troops: Service to Those Who Served

GreenCare for Troops holds a special place in Heritage’s heart. Military families give up so much for our country and they deserve to come home to a yard they can take pride in. Heritage supports this program by donating products and working with volunteers to provide free services to these deserving families.

For veterans recovering from injuries, lawn care should be the last thing on their minds. For military spouses returning from deployment, a well-kept yard helps make a house feel like home, not another chore waiting to be tackled.

Heritage encourages every landscape company to consider participating in GreenCare for Troops. Giving back to families who have given so much not only strengthens community bonds – it also unites teams and reinforces why this industry matters beyond business.

Why Green Spaces Matter More Than Ever

In a world dominated by screens, green spaces provide a reason to get outside and connect. Children learn to ride bikes in parks. Neighbors stop to chat along walking trails. Families build memories under shady trees.

These spaces improve quality of life reducing stress, promoting activity, and increasing happiness. During challenging times, parks, gardens, and trails help communities stay connected and resilient.

The Ripple Effect of Industry Support

One powerful example came during a community park renovation, when local contractors volunteered to transform a neglected play area. Watching children go from playing on broken equipment to enjoying safe, beautiful playgrounds reminds everyone why this work matters.

Moments like these connect the industry to a bigger purpose. They show teams that their work is about more than projects, it’s about people, communities, and lasting impact.

Advice for Other Companies

To companies considering supporting Project EverGreen, Heritage poses this question: Can you afford not to get involved?

Start small. Volunteer for a GreenCare for Troops project, sponsor a local green space renovation, or help promote the benefits of professionally maintained landscapes. Every effort makes a visible difference and shows the community that green spaces truly matter.

Deep Roots, Shared Vision

If Heritage had to describe Project EverGreen in one word, it would be essential. Together, we champion an industry that creates and cares for the spaces where communities come together.

Landscape professionals do more than make things look beautiful, they create environments that improve lives. This partnership with Project EverGreen reflects a shared vision: communities with the outdoor spaces they deserve.

That’s a future worth building together.

Join the Mission – Become a Volunteer Today!

Are you ready to give back to our military heroes through the power of landscaping? Sign up today and make a meaningful difference!

Thank You to Our Generous Supporters

The Title Sponsor of the GreenCare for Troops program is Nufarm, while BOSS Snowplow proudly sponsors SnowCare for Troops.

Our Platinum Partners include Toro, SiteOne Landscape Supply, and Heritage Landscape Supply.

The Silver Partner is Arborjet/Ecologel and our Affiliate Partners include the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.

GreenCare for Troops is proudly endorsed by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Join us today and be part of something bigger.

Steven Cohen Volunteer Q&A

The mission of Project EverGreen has quite literally grown on Steven Cohen over his years of leadership and involvement. What began with volunteering to help military families through GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops has blossomed into active participation in multiple GreenCare for Communities projects in New York City. He has also become a passionate advocate for the expansion of green spaces in cities to improve human health and the environment.

Now, he is channeling that passion as a member of the Project EverGreen board of directors, working to strengthen the mission, recruit professional volunteers, and share the many benefits of healthy green spaces. He shared his perspective on his involvement in a recent interview:

Q: What initially inspired you to get involved with Project EverGreen?

My relationship with Project EverGreen began through BCLS Landscape Services, where we partnered with the GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programs. These initiatives allowed us to give back to our community by assisting enlisted families with landscape maintenance and snow removal while they served our country. The program created truly memorable experiences for our team, and that connection to Project EverGreen inspired me to get more involved.

Through my volunteer work, I’ve met dedicated board members, passionate volunteers, and community partners while gaining a deeper understanding of the organization’s mission. These experiences strengthened my belief in Project EverGreen’s impact and inspired me to serve at a higher level, leading me to pursue the opportunity to join the board.

Q: You’ve contributed your time and talents to multiple New York City GreenCare for Communities projects. What keeps you coming back?

What keeps me coming back is the projects themselves and the opportunity to truly give back. Each one makes a visible, lasting difference in the community, and that impact is deeply rewarding. Equally meaningful is the camaraderie. Working alongside others who share the same passion has turned teammates into friends, making every project both purposeful and personal.

The friendships, collaboration, and partnerships with the NYC Parks Department GreenThumb make this form of giving back especially rewarding. It’s more than just completing a project; it’s about building connections and creating a lasting positive impact together.

There’s also a personal connection to New York. As a kid, I remember driving through the boroughs and seeing burnt-out buildings and abandoned houses. Knowing that many of today’s gardens now sit on those same lots is incredibly impactful. It’s a transformation from neglect to life, bringing hope, beauty, and pride back to the community.

Q: Looking ahead to Project EverGreen’s 10^th NYC project this fall, what excites you most about reaching that milestone?

Simply put, it’s the honor of being part of this milestone. I’ve had the privilege of working on park projects in three boroughs, and leaving a mark in each one has been an incredible experience. Reaching the 10^th NYC project is not only a personal highlight, but also a testament to Project EverGreen’s commitment, consistency, and lasting impact in the city.

Q: How do you envision the continued growth of GreenCare for Communities, and what role do volunteers play in that future?

I see GreenCare for Communities continuing to grow through the stories and experiences we share—both the personal and professional benefits of being involved. Volunteers are the heartbeat of this program; without them, it simply wouldn’t happen. My goal is to keep sharing the positive outcomes, how these projects not only support the individuals and communities we serve but also provide volunteers with a deep sense of fulfillment and professional pride.

Q: What legacy do you hope these projects leave behind for the neighborhoods, for the volunteers, and for Project EverGreen?

The legacy is exactly what we leave behind. In just one day, we can transform a park into a cleaner, more accessible, and more beautiful space for the community to enjoy. That impact lives on long after the project is done. For me, it’s both a personal and professional legacy knowing we’ve created something that improves lives, fosters connection, and reflects the pride of everyone who contributed.

Q: As a board member and volunteer, how do you hope your involvement encourages others in the industry to step up and get involved?

As both a board member and volunteer, my mission is to actively share Project EverGreen’s mission, vision, and values, and show others how they can play a role. I see myself as an ambassador for the cause, using my platform in the industry to raise awareness, inspire action, and demonstrate the lasting impact we can make when we work together.

Q: Why is it important for landscape professionals and green industry partners to support these types of volunteer projects?

The purpose lies in both the individual and the collective effort of our industry. Landscape professionals are stewards of the environment, and the work we do naturally aligns with Project EverGreen’s core mission and values. Supporting these projects allows us to make a direct, visible impact while living out that stewardship.

Our industry has a strong tradition of giving back, not only through Project EverGreen but also through events like the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ Day of Service in Washington, D.C. where we come together to serve, honor, and make a difference.

Q: What would you say to someone who’s considering volunteering with Project EverGreen but hasn’t taken that first step?

Take the first step, you won’t truly understand how rewarding it feels until you get involved. Last year, I invited several friends to join a park project. I watched them not only work hard but also connect with others in meaningful ways. Now, every one of them is involved with Project EverGreen in some capacity, and they’ll all be joining this year’s project in Queens. Sometimes, all it takes is showing up once to become part of something bigger.

Q: How can board members and volunteers amplify the mission of Project EverGreen – particularly the environmental mission – to businesses, consumers, and government at all levels?

As board members, we are fiduciaries who guide the organization toward a sustainable future, both environmentally and organizationally. This means adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance while ensuring adequate resources to advance our mission. Each board member can do this by leveraging their networks and influence.

Board members and volunteers can amplify Project EverGreen’s environmental message by showing businesses, consumers, and government leaders the tangible benefits of greener, healthier, and more sustainable communities.

Q: How does the Clean Air Calculator support the overall mission of Project EverGreen?

The Clean Air Calculator is a game changer for our industry. It helps quantify and communicate one of the core benefits of green spaces – improved air quality. For landscapers, landscape architects, and homeowners, being able to measure the environmental impact of a green space is powerful.

This tool is useful when designing or renovating landscapes, helping us show how these improvements contribute to cleaner air and healthier communities. While there is always room for refinement, one thing is certain: the Calculator strengthens the case for green space investment. By turning environmental benefits into tangible, data-backed numbers, it gives communities, policymakers, and sponsors a clear reason to support green projects.

Q: Finally, how do you see your work with GreenCare for Troops and GreenCare for Communities contributing to Project EverGreen’s overall mission?

The answer is simple. These initiatives directly align with Project EverGreen’s core mission creating a greener, cooler Earth, inspired by healthier and happier people.