The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is one of only 13 organizations nationally to receive an Award of Excellence in the first round of the 2010 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership, Washington, D.C.

PLANET received the award for its PLANET Day of Service. This program is now in the running to receive a Summit Award, ASAE & The Center’s top recognition for association programs, to be presented in ceremonies at ASAE’s 11th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on September 29, 2010.

The PLANET Day of Service is an annual event designed to unite the national lawn and landscape industry for a day that is dedicated to giving back to local communities. This program gives members of the green industry an opportunity to plan, organize, and carry out “green” service projects that benefit their communities. Projects focus on lawn care, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation, or interior plantscaping.

“This program is an opportunity for our members and the industry to come together and be a steward of our environment. The green industry plays such a vital role in creating these spaces we live in. It is an honor that PLANET was chosen as one of the 13 organizations to have won this Award of Excellence,” said PLANET President, Bill Hildebolt, Ph.D., Landscape Industry Certified Manager & Technician.

Now in its 20th year, the prestigious AAA Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward — with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.

“PLANET’s program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” remarked 2009-2010 AAA Committee Chair Ping Wei, director of educational opportunities for the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The Lead Sponsors for the 2010 PLANET Day of Service are Agrium Advanced Technologies, American Profit Recovery, JOHN DEERE, Lawns by Yorkshire, Inc., and Shindaiwa. Planning for 2010 is currently underway. For more information about the program or to register your event, visit planetdayofservice.org, e-mail Heather Finney, or call PLANET at (800) 395-2522.