FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
David Cheng, Communications Manager
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
[email protected] | 215-988-1631
Award Recognizes Transformational Land Use and Creating Sustainable Communities
[PHILADELPHIA - June 17, 2019] – The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia honored PHS LandCare, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s vacant lot greening initiative, at its 6th Annual Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence. The innovative PHS program was recognized for excellence in public policy, community transformation and scale.
Celebrating the legacy of late urban visionary and civic leader Bill Rouse, the ULI Rouse Awards honor projects within the region that represent excellence in achieving scale, creating significant community impact, elevating real estate standards in the city, and representing models of innovation and leadership. Among an impressive list of 13 finalists, PHS LandCare was one of five winners, including the Comcast Technology Center, Wexford Science & Technology and the American Water Headquarters, selected by a national jury of 12 experts.
The PHS LandCare initiative has become a national model for turning blighted land into community assets. The program, a strategic collaboration between PHS, the City of Philadelphia, local contractors, and community groups, uses simple intervention methods to clean, green and maintain Philadelphia’s vacant land. To date, a total of 12,000 lots covering 16 million square feet, or one-third of the City’s vacant lot inventory, are under PHS’s care. Among other attributes, the Award cited LandCare for its “tremendous scale and replicability after over 20 years in service and documented evidence of improved resident health, safety and job creation.”
“PHS LandCare is a compelling example of gardening’s power to effect positive change in communities. This work is a key part of our comprehensive neighborhood greening strategy to create healthier environments and grow economic opportunity for the people of Philadelphia,” said Matt Rader, PHS President. “On behalf of PHS, I am so proud of the LandCare team for their well-earned recognition by ULI Philadelphia.”
Hundreds of industry professionals and leaders gathered for a reception on June 12 to celebrate PHS LandCare and the other ULI Philadelphia award winners. ULI, a nonprofit research and education organization, is the oldest and largest network of crossdisciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world, providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. ULI Philadelphia is one of ULI’s largest and most robust District Councils with about 1,000 members representing Greater Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
For more information about PHS LandCare and other PHS greening initiatives, or to get involved with the work of PHS, please visit phsonline.org.
About PHS
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, advances the well-being of the Philadelphia region by creating healthier living environments, building deeper connections between people, and increasing access to fresh food and economic opportunity. Fueled by a diverse community of supporters, PHS delivers impact through initiatives in more than 250 neighborhoods, an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes, and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS invites everyone to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer.
