Entranceways Initiative Task Force Awarded International Society of Arboriculture Gold Leaf Award for Landscape Beautification

The Entranceways Initiative Task Force, a project of the Midland Area Community Foundation, has received the International Society of Arboriculture Gold Leaf Award for Landscape Beautification for their extensive work in improving the entranceways within the City of

Pictured from Left to Right: Howard Garrett, Stephanie Szostak, Jenee Velasquez and Marty McGuire.

Midland. The Entranceways Initiative Task Force, developed in 2001, is a collaborative venture comprised of citizens, city planners, business leaders and foundation members who joined the central mission of improving the appearance and function of the entranceways into the City of Midland.

Evidence of their dedication can be seen in major landscape projects throughout the city including the US10-Eastman Intersection, Bay Road/US-10 ramp, Fairgrounds plantings and Grand Curve Parkway. In addition to the Entranceways Initiative Task Force’s extensive work in the Midland community, they have also established a project fund at the Midland Area Community Foundation. Contributors to this fund have helped to ensure the continuation of the project and include local citizens and Foundations. For more information on contributing to the fund, please visit www.midlandfoundation.org

The Gold Leaf Award is designed to recognize an individual, organization, or community for community landscape beautification projects. Specifically, the Landscape Beautification Awards recognize individuals, organizations, or municipalities that have made significant contributions through tree planting and landscaping which enhances environmental protection, conservation, beautification, air purification, or wildlife protection.

The award was presented to the Entranceways Initiative Task Force at the Arboriculture Society of Michigan State Conference’s banquet on September 18, 2008. Jenee Velasquez, Chairwoman of the Task Force said, “It is an honor to have the efforts of the Task Force recognized by the Michigan Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. In addition to installing beautiful plantings, private funders have established a project fund at the Community Foundation to provide for future maintenance of the improvements.”