Landscape Industry Honors Our Nation’s Fallen Heroes with Day of Service at Arlington National Cemetery

Hundreds of landscape professionals and veterans will convene to protect and beautify the grounds during the 21st annual Renewal & Remembrance event

ARLINGTON, Va. (June 21, 2017) – On Monday, July 17, 2017, 400 landscape professionals from 29 states across the U.S. — many of them veterans themselves — will join together for Renewal & Remembrance, the largest annual day of landscape service at Arlington National Cemetery. Organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the event, now in its 21st year, features landscape improvement and maintenance projects, which ensure the continued health and pristine condition of the hallowed grounds.

With their hands-on services impacting more than 257 acres of the vast grounds at Arlington National Cemetery, landscape professionals will work diligently and precisely to complete extensive landscape activities. Projects to be completed simultaneously throughout the day include:

• Applying limestone and phosphorous to turf, which provides key nutrients for growth and vitality;
• Aerating turf grass to strengthen its underground root systems;
• Inspecting and installing irrigation systems to optimize watering practices;
• Installing supportive cabling systems to protect trees from lightning and storm damage; and
• Installing pavers for a new ADA-accessible plaza area.

Additional planting and mulching of garden beds will take place, including a children’s program where kids ages 3-13 will plant flowers and learn about the importance of taking care of the natural environment and honoring America’s veterans.

“Through their willingness to donate their time, talents, equipment and materials, our members make this tremendous event possible year after year,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs, NALP. “Renewal & Remembrance truly holds special meaning to all who are involved. As an association, we are humbled and honored to come together at Arlington National Cemetery to pay our respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

Renewal & Remembrance will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony featuring keynote speeches, a dedication of the day’s work and the Presentation of Colors by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, at the James R. Tanner Amphitheater, followed by grounds work throughout the morning. A special wreath laying by children of select volunteers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will take place at 9:45 a.m.

Beyond the massive volunteer effort at Renewal & Remembrance, the landscape industry’s impact can be felt and their unified voice can be heard. Every day, landscape professionals work to create and sustain beautiful landscapes in communities across the U.S. Renewal & Remembrance occurs in conjunction with Legislative Days on the Hill, NALP’s collective gathering of its members on Capitol Hill to support the continuation of thriving landscapes across the U.S.

For more information on Renewal & Remembrance, visit the event website. For more information about NALP, visit LandscapeProfessionals.org and LoveYourLandscape.org.

About NALP

The National Association of Landscape Professionals represents an industry that employs nearly 1 million landscape, lawn care, irrigation and tree care professionals who create and maintain healthy green spaces for the benefit of society and the environment. For more information, visit LoveYourLandscape.org.

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