Community Garden Magazine Issue Five January 2016 | Page 12

Contact: Molly Jennings; [phone] [email protected] ScottsMiracle-Gro Announces 2016 ‘Pollinator Promise’ Through its GRO1000 Garden and Greenspace Program Company to Foster Pollinator-Friendly Habitats across North America with community outreach and garden grants MARYSVILLE, Ohio, December 15, 2015 -- Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are nature’s unsung heroes, critical to the sustainability of one-third of the planet’s food supply and the health of millions of flower gardens. In an effort to help combat the loss of pollinator habitats in recent years, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company announced plans today for a yearlong effort to improve consumer education about pollinators and promote the creation of backyard and urban habitats where they can thrive. The “Pollinator Promise” will fund the establishment of at least 50 pollinator gardens throughout the United States in 2016, as part of the company’s GRO1000 community gardening initiative. The GRO1000 initiative, now in its sixth year, partners with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Pollinator Stewardship Council, The Franklin Park Conservatory and others, to promote the availability of additional grants for gardens and green spaces throughout the country. “The importance of pollinators is unquestionable and it is easier than most people think to create a habitat where they can thrive,” said Jim King, senior vice president of corporate affairs at ScottsMiracleGro. “The Pollinator Promise is a year-long effort to help home gardeners and urban planners understand the critical role these creatures play in our ecosystem and to provide them the tools necessary to grow successful pollinator gardens.” 12