Bio-renewable GreenFrost100 is a non-toxic, corn-derived anti-freeze replacement for ethylene- or propylene glycol-charged water treatment systems. It carries the same freeze protection properties as traditional ethylene/propylene glycols, but is safer to use, less toxic to humans and the environment and makes America less dependant on foreign oil sources. GreenFrost contains bio-renewable, organic corrosion inhibitors for ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Unlike many glycol-based products, ortho- and poly-phosphate-free GreenFrost prevents fouling and development of corrosive microorganisms in closed systems, protecting heat transfer efficiencies. GreenFrost is classified by the FDA as a multi-purpose Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food additive when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

Earthwise Environmental’s EarthCare GreenTreat 900 is a concentrated cooling tower liquid scale and corrosion inhibitor designed for increased cycles of concentration and water savings in stressed water applications. Organic-based GreenTreat 900 corrosion control compounds include organic Azole compound to control yellow metal, polymeric dispersants to retard scaling and crystal modification compounds to control calcium carbonate scaling.

There are several reasons why EarthCare is a good choice for water treatment. Here are a few mentioned on their web site:

EarthCare products can help buildings and facilities “Go Green.” The EarthCare line is designed to reduce water and energy consumption utilizes Green, bio-renewable technology and is a LEED point booster.

EarthCare products can help federal buildings meet the president’s executive orders for efficient energy management and waste prevention.

EarthCare products are free of poly- and ortho-phosphates to prevent fouling and development of corrosive bacteria and algae growth in closed systems and discharge and protect heat transfer efficiencies.

Learn more about EarthCare on Earthwise’s web site, here.

Information in this article came from the Earthwise web site and from a recent article by TribLocal.com (Elk Grove Village). Read this article here.

In 2007, Naperville Park District set out to restore Pioneer Park by weeding out invasive, non-native species while allowing native plants to thrive. The problem with these types of plants is that, according to project manager Peggy Pelkonen, invasive plants crowd out native plants and change the habitat for native animals. “You don’t get your ephemeral spring flowers or trillium coming up anymore because the woody plants have the advantage,” Pelkonen explained in an interview with M.B. Southerland for The Fox Valley Villages Sun. “Animals that would thrive on the native plants would move elsewhere. Buckthorn and burning bush are shrubs, so natiev animals can’t see predators as well, and it changes the balance of nature.” Invasive plants make it hard on honey bees, frogs, toads, owls and humming birds and they also allow non-native animals to move in and thrive.

The district is about two-thirds of the way done with the renovation, made possible by a $31,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, but weeding the 26-acre park is no easy task. The Park District staff and a host of community volunteers are coming through the park, handpicking out the seeds and sprouts of plants like garlic mustard, burr oak, black-eyed susan, goldenrod, Pennsylvania sedge, trillium and asters.

A controlled burn this autum (2009) will help eliminate many of the plants. Pelkonen said this works because native plants can survive a burn since thier roots are so deep into the earth and since they’ve adapted to the area. Pioneer Park is an ideal park for renovation because of its central location in the town and its wood, praire and wetland habitats.

Sue Omanson, community development project manager said “It’s a good place to educate people about these local habitats that we want to preserve and restore.”

Click here to read the full article written by M.B. Southerland and published by Fox Valley Villages Sun on Oct. 26, 2009.

Learn more about the Naperville Park District on their web site, here.

Kudos to TribLocal! “David,” an amateur photographer, snapped this photo on Sept. 12, one day after Chalet’s monarch release. A registered Monarch Way Station, Chalet has been working hard to promote the species and educate the public …on the monarch’s importance to our life and gardens. David was curious about the tag and its meaning when he picked up that Thursday’s TribLocal and read its coverage of Chalet’s work. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photograph, David. And thanks to Kyle Leonard and his team for helping Chalet tell this important story.

The global awards program, which is open only to PLANET members, reflects the association’s commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of the landscape. The program is designed to reward independent landscape, lawn care and interior plantscaping professionals who execute superior projects. Chalet will be recognized at PLANET’s Awards Reception on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Ky.

See pictures of the award-winning landscapes on Chalet’s photo page, here.

For information on the PLANET Awards, visit www.landcarenetwork.org.

Read the press release on Garden Center Magazine’s Web site, here.

LEED points are awarded for a variety of features including energy-saving building systems, water conservation and nearness to public transportation. Some of Chicago’s LEED buildings are the McCormick Place West Building and the new FBI Building.

Daley plans on keeping this ranking, too. Every new public building in Chicago is required to achieve LEED certification. Also, public and private projects getting city assistance must have a green roof or pursue similar green building certification.

GreenMark PR stands up and cheers at this announcement. We’re proud to be based in the number one city and are committed to making it an even greener place to work and play. We would also like to congratulate the other cities that made the list for their green efforts. It’s remarkable to see such high numbers for these cities. Let’s see all of these numbers grow! Check out a green building project very near and dear to us: The Green Exchange. Scroll over to our menu and check out their page on our Web site.

Curious about what other cities made the list? See the top ten along with more details at Chicago Tribune’s Web site, here.

We applaud Tom Lopez’s ingenuity and believe the future of green, and indeed the development of our national green economy, lies in the resourcefulness of entrepreneurs like him.

See a picture of Lopez’s machine and read more about how he came up with the idea on ReporterHerald.com, here.

Green Exchange Project Video from Conscious Living TV on Vimeo.

See more videos by Conscious Living TV on their Vimeo site, here.

Chalet’s craftsmanship is displayed near Forest & Bluff Magazine in Lake Forest on the fertile land of Walden Lane, once part of the McCormick estate, where it’s said the legendary family once had their garden. The owners of the newly constructed Italianesque villa on the estate valued the importance of having a garden and hired Chalet in 2004 to install a landscape to mirror the style of their home.

Senior landscape architect Robert Milani and project designer Troy Ripley were recruited for the job and the article details some of the problems the team encountered. The land needed to be drained in order to sustain the 1,000 Green Velvet Boxwoods planted on the land, so an extensive drainage system had to be installed throughout the property. Precision was another issue, since there were already gardens and a fountain outside, so anything Chalet added needed to be parallel. To ensure accuracy, they used laser equipment through the house. Ripley said, “When you want to have absolutely straight lines, it is not as easy as it may sound a lot of the time, curves are actually easier to create.” The house still gets weekly treatment from Chalet including pest and fertilizer management. Perennials get groomed and potted annuals get soil replacements to stay thriving.

Both designers have been with Chalet for a long time and reflect on their projects. “One of the benefits about working here is we don’t have a ‘look’” said Milani. “We don’t create the same type of design for every house. It’s very site-specific, which is great because it gives us a lot of design autonomy.”

Chalet recently launched its own Expert Selection line of landscape solutions, designed for Midwest soils and climate. The line includes grass seed, fertilizers and organic potting soil, mulch and compost, as well as locally grown Chalet Farms plants.

Read more about Chalet’s landscaping services and product line.

Learn more about Forest & Bluff Magazine and contact them for a July 2009 issue to see pictures of Chalet’s work at the old McCormick estate.

Learn about the next family event on The Lurie Garden web site.

Watch the particular clip of “Chicago Tonight on WTTW’s web site. Also in this clip Time Out Chicago’s Around Town Editor Madeline Nusser gives The Lurie Garden a nice compliment, saying she visits at least once a week to eat lunch in the beautiful garden.

If there’s not a featured event event at The Lurie Garden, come anyway and have a picnic in downtown Chicago!

Fulmer said hydrangeas can be turned from pink to blue by making the soil more acidic when planting the shrub. Add one cup of garden sulfur to the hole at planting time and then half a cup directly to the soil surface twice a year from then on. After a year, the change in color will occur.

See Tony Fulmer in action! Watch him  at the WGNTV Web site.