The Wright Scoop Launches book - From Eco-weak to Eco-chic - landscape green

During the forth Virginia GoGreen Garden Festival (and more …) held (rain or shine) September 12, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garner Pavilion (located behind the Science Museum of VA, 2500 West Broad Street, in Richmond Virginia), I'm hostess for the speaker events. As part of this event, I've scheduled at 10 a.m. a book sighing for my newly released book - From Eco-weak to Eco-chic: landscape green! During the Festival, to further support Green Industry education, I'm donating a portion of book sales to the VA Nursery and Landscape Association student scholarship fund. Plan to stop in and explore an admission free event that will challenge you to gogreen. Festival details are available at web site www.virginiagardening.com .

Newly published book - From Eco-weak to Eco-chic, landscape green!
Whether experienced or a novice, I believe the challenge for the present-day homeowner and/or Industry professional is to create a landscape/garden from an eco-chic point of view, a “waste not, and want not” ecological commitment: be a caretaker for the environmental community.
Through combining workshop style assignments with research and ‘hands-on’ experience, in my book, I share eco-strategies that respect an existing vista, preserving and enhancing its health. For, any style landscape, plants should not simply be a result of traditional design but be the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating landscape green, sustainable urban/suburban communities that enhance green space for today and future generations.

Eco-chic Label History –
Sometimes, I joke related to how I acquired my present-day label - eco-chic. Initially, media referred to my strategies as the by-product of a naturalist. Then, when I contributed to state-wide Virginia media publications, I became known as eco-wise. After speaking and publishing in the DC area, my work was referred to as eco-savvy. And, through participating in the annual Green Festival held in DC, I picked up the label, eco-chic. Nevertheless, regardless of the title – itself - as long as people hear my message – strive to achieve ‘ultimate green’, I’m happy. So, in 2008, I partnered with Doug Hensel of the Great Big Greenhouse located in Midlothian Virginia. Basically, we combined my strategies with his inventory to challenge Greater Richmond Area residents to green their landscapes eco-chic style - the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating a legacy of green for their community. Recognized for our effort, Hensel and I are the recipients of the 2008 ‘Turn America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic’ award sponsored by Project Evergreen and Hines Horticulture.

The 2009 Difference –
Historically, earth-friendly strategies are defined in terms of reduce, reuse and recycle but eco-chic takes this definition a step further. For, eco-chic spaces are not just the result of a lifestyle choice but a reflection of how we feel about the environment. While keeping it simple (as in simple living) is the name of the game, there is a more important underlying factor – a commitment to ultimate greening: providing for the present without sacrificing the future.
For example, as a hands-on landscape gardener, I've participated in nation-wide plant testing. I've gained familiarity with programs such as the ‘Southern Living Plant Collection’, ‘Proven Winners’, ‘Plants that Work’ and many more. Still, for 2009, I'm advocating consumers take the concept of sustainability a step further, not simply use plants that work-well in their region but those that contribute to regional economic sustainability: developed, grown and distributed within their community.
Specific to myself, as a Central Virginia gardener, it means the support and use of a newly released line of plants, Beautiful Gardens®, www.beautifulgardens.org.

Words of Praise for Wright's Work –
“Sylvia’s eco-chic advocacy embodies every aspect of the consumer education campaign we hoped to inspire,” said Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen, www.projectevergreen.com. “The judges were impressed with her ongoing effort to teach eco-green. For, our vision is to be a global organization that empowers people within communities to change society through the responsible creation and preservation of sustainable green spaces, such that the ever-increasing impacts of global warming in the world are measurably reduced; because Green Matters!”

Publication Details -
Those who can not acquire a copy of my book during the Festival, details are available through web site www.TheWrightScoop.com or see
Sylvia Wright's Storefront - Lulu.com
Wright shares ...
stores.lulu.com/syhwright - 11k - Cached - Similar pages

As the recipient of the 2008 Turn America from Eco-weak to Eco-Chic Award, I challenge all to move landscape efforts from eco-weak to eco-chic, create landscape green!