4.03.2008 - 07:19pm ET

(CSRwire) MARYSVILLE, Ohio, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), the global leader in the consumer lawn and garden industry, today announces the appointment of Richard Shank as Chief Environmental Officer. Shank will oversee the implementation of environmental stewardship and corresponding governmental affairs initiatives.

Shank succeeds Rich Martinez, who was named to the newly created position of vice president, North America Sustainability. Martinez's new role will focus on ensuring consensus of sustainability and environmental goals across all of the Company's business operations and functions.

"Environmental stewardship and sustainability are critical components to our business," said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our commitment to proactive environmental leadership is further enhanced by both Rich Shank's extensive background and Rich Martinez's new internal alignment role."

Shank previously served as executive director of the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, vice president for environmental business activities with Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) and director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Shank also is a member of the Board of the Ohio Environmental Council, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and was appointed by former Ohio Governor Bob Taft to the Board of Ohio's Environmental Education Fund. He has been highly involved in the issue of water quality as a past member of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council and the Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes.

He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from The Ohio State University, where he also earned a master's degree in Zoology/Aquatic Toxicology and a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources.

"Rich brings a wealth of environmental experience to Scotts that will be instrumental in ensuring understanding and cooperation between the Company and its constituencies regarding our ongoing commitment to sound environmental stewardship," said Hagedorn.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With $2.9 billion in worldwide sales and more than 6,000 associates, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. The Company also owns Smith & Hawken, a leading brand of garden-inspired products that includes pottery, watering equipment, gardening tools, outdoor furniture and live goods. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R). For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

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