Stihl Inc., a member of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), co-sponsored its second annual PLANET Gives Back project, a volunteer service event held Oct. 24, during the 2012 Green Industry Conference (GIC), held in conjunction with the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) trade show, in Louisville, Ky.

Stihl Inc. co-sponsors Louisville beautification event during GIE+EXPO

Stihl Inc., a member of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), co-sponsored its second annual PLANET Gives Back project, a volunteer service event held Oct. 24, during the 2012 Green Industry Conference (GIC), held in conjunction with the Green Industry & Equipment Expo (GIE+EXPO) trade show, in Louisville, Ky.


“Every year, some of the best landscapers, tree care professionals, and suppliers come to Louisville to participate in the PLANET Green Industry Conference, network with fellow green industry professionals and hone their craft with seminars, classes and discussions,” said Stihl’s Roger Phelps, who is also a certified landscape professional and serves as a PLANET board member. “The PLANET Gives Back project is a way for us as an industry to use our expertise to benefit the community we all visit each year. We are proud to be part of this.”


With Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer in attendance, more than 50 volunteers worked on various projects, including creating an outdoor classroom at Engelhard Elementary School and handling general landscaping around the school grounds. This year, PLANET also added a new children’s component which involved the school’s fourth-grade students in the beautification process.


Down the street at Bridgehaven Mental Health Services, volunteers conducted paver installation, installing an outdoor BBQ/picnic area, and performed general property maintenance, using several pieces of equipment supplied by Stihl from its Battery KombiSystem product line. The equipment, powered by 36-volt lithium-ion battery technology, is notable for its quiet operations and zero emissions, making it a good choice for landscaping needs near schools and healthcare facilities.


Agrium Advanced Technologies, GIE+EXPO, and John Deere served as the Lead sponsors for PLANET Gives Back with Stihl Inc. as a supporting sponsor.