SPECIAL AWARD FROM GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION: Milliken and Company

Description:
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s Sustainable Community Forestry Program partnered with Milliken and Company to develop Making the Shade, a program which lowers health risks resulting from direct sunlight and high temperatures on elementary school campuses and playground equipment, by adding shade trees to the landscape. Milliken’s early endorsement and leadership in bringing participants together established a robust model. The manufacturer is respected for its stewardship regarding trees and air quality, as well as for its safety and health record. Making the Shade offers a strong education component beyond the planting stage. Ongoing interaction with foresters provides students lessons on water and air quality, health and erosion. In its first year, Making the Shade worked with three demonstration schools and a total of 1,940 students. For every dollar received in grant money, the schools spent an additional $1.35 for planting and maintenance, which inspired four new sites to join in 2007.

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Pictured: GFC's Steve Smith; David Caples, President of Milliken Floor Covering Division; Robert Farris, Interim Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission; and GFC's Larry Morris