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PGMS Salutes Virginia Wesleyan for Grounds Management Excellence
VWU recognized for sixth consecutive year in Green Star Awards Competition
University News | November 13, 2018
For the sixth consecutive year, Virginia Wesleyan University was recognized by the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) with a Merit Award in the Society's Green Star Awards competition in the category for exceptional grounds maintenance. Winners were honored during the Society’s 2018 Awards Dinner held October 18 in conjunction with the School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO in Louisville, KY, October 15-19.
PGMS cited the beauty and diversity of Virginia Wesleyan’s native forests, large expanses of turf, ornamental and native trees, numerous ponds, athletic fields, and flower/shrub beds.
In addition, the Greer Environmental Sciences Center, which opened to students in fall 2017, is surrounded by living landscapes. A series of teaching gardens created with native plants inspired by the ecosystems of the Eastern Shore, two upland meadow gardens, three wetland gardens, and a wide variety of different plant species, including trees, shrubs, groundcover, ferns, perennials and aquatic plants surround the exterior of the facility which achieved LEED Gold Certification for compliance by the U.S. Green Building Council.
“VWU is truly an inspiring place to live and learn,” said VWU President Scott D. Miller. “Special thanks to the entire Virginia Wesleyan grounds staff, for their efforts to present our campus in the best possible light. We are grateful for the outstanding work they do.”
The Green Star Awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complimenting other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction. Overall, PGMS presented 2 Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well as 16 Honor Awards and 7 Merit Awards in seven categories of competition. To view a complete list of winners please visit http://pgms.org/2018-green-star-award-winners/.