Derrick Torregrosa, Luis Gonzalez, Joseph McLeod and Cameron Robinson of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, with Brian Sullivan and Dale Brooks of The New York Botanical Garden at today's sustainable lawn dedication.

The newly renovated and replanted lawns across The New York Botanical Garden look just as green and lush as the lawns they replace, but they’re expected to be far greener when it comes to needing less water and less fertilizer and their ability to reduce runoff waste. The new, sustainable substitute lawn was made possible thanks to funding from 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s EcoAd advertising through CBS EcoMedia.

Brian Sullivan, the Vice President of Landscape, Outdoor Collections and Gardens, for The New York Botanical Garden hosted a dedication of the new lawns and gratefully recognized 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s financial support during today’s Father’s Day Weekend Garden Party event, thanking CBS EcoMedia for making the funding possible. Cameron Robinson, General Manager, of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s New York City Franchise was joined by fellow1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchisees from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to admire some of the new lawns which are part of the Garden’s 250-acre property.

“As stewards of this cherished National Historic Landmark site, the horticulture staff at The New York Botanical Garden is committed to identifying and implementing sustainable solutions for the way we care for the Garden’s landscape and living collections,” said Brian Sullivan. “We are grateful for the support from 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and CBS EcoMedia, making it possible for us to continue caring for our lawns in safe, environmentally friendly ways. In addition to looking beautiful for our visitors, we can also educate them on how, through a few changes, they can use resources, such as water and fertilizer, in a more efficient way.”

Through a process of old turf removal – with haul-away services donated by 1-800-GOT-JUNK? – followed by soil aeration and the introduction of more drought resistant varieties of seed, the Garden was able to transform a water-thirsty and fertilizer-dependent lawn into a more environmentally sustainable model for visitors. This project is part of the Garden’s overall strategy of employing and promoting sustainable gardening practices and making information available to home gardeners in the New York Tri-State area through weekly demonstrations and tips offered by horticulture experts at the Home Gardening Center.

“A big part of our mission at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is our involvement in the local community and making the world a greener place,” said Robinson, as he helped man the junk hauler’s booth on Father’s Day Weekend. “So we were really excited when EcoMedia brought us the opportunity to work with the New York Botanical Garden and help them make this beautiful oasis of tranquility even greener and more sustainable. We’ve been blown away with what a perfect getaway this botanic garden is from the New York minute – especially now when our stress levels are so high.”

The Garden’s more than 800,000 annual visitors come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and live in all five boroughs of New York City, Westchester County, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The New York Botanical Garden has a dedicated membership base of nearly 30,000 households who visit on average more than five times per year and spend three hours per visit.

“The New York Botanical Garden is one of the Tri-State area's treasures – a glorious living museum of plants, as well as a world-class center for scientific research in the areas of conservation and biodiversity,” said Paul Polizzotto, Founder and President of CBS EcoMedia. “Especially in light of the financial impact caused by superstorm Sandy, we’re pleased and proud to be able to support the efforts of The NYBG through our EcoAd Program. The demonstration project sponsored by 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will educate homeowners about ways in which they can make their own lawns more sustainable. It's a perfect example of the kinds of tangible, meaningful, quality of life improvements EcoMedia brings to communities nationwide, through the public-private partnerships at the heart of our EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd Programs."

About The New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden is a museum of plants located at Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road. It is easy to reach by Metro-North Railroad or subway. The Garden is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday and Monday federal holidays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The best way to enjoy the Garden is with the All-Garden Pass, which includes admission to the grounds as well as to seasonal gardens, exhibitions, and attractions such as the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, Rock Garden, and Tram Tour. Grounds admission is free all day on Wednesdays and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. For ticket pricing and more information, please check our website www.nybg.org or call 718.817.8700.

The New York Botanical Garden is located on property owned in full by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. A portion of the Garden’s general operating funds is provided by The New York City Council and The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Bronx Borough President and Bronx elected representatives in the City Council and State Legislature provide leadership funding.

About 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is pioneering an industry that is helping residents and businesses remove junk and regain space. Whether it’s a pile of household junk in the garage or a warehouse full of office furnishings, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? removes it for you, making the ordinary business of junk removal exceptional. We are passionate about recycling and donating to charity. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? was founded in 1989 and now operates throughout North America and Australia. Please visit us at 1800gotjunk.com.

About CBS EcoMedia Inc.
At EcoMedia, we’re propelled by the desire to create positive social change; that’s been our mission since we founded the company in 2002. In 2008, after successfully partnering with CBS on a wide range of environmental projects, EcoMedia became the newest addition to the CBS Corporation portfolio, exponentially scaling our reach across television, radio, interactive, publishing and outdoor media.

Through our patent-pending EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd programs, an innovative twist on traditional advertising, advertisers are able to support much-needed local projects which in turn creates jobs, saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life in communities nationwide. In the process, we’re fundamentally altering the advertising landscape, elevating the ordinary, traditional commercial – and media, in general – into a catalyst for tangible, quantifiable social change. Please visit ecomedia.cbs.com to learn more.

By participating in EcoMedia’s EcoAd, WellnessAd and EducationAd advertising programs, EcoMedia’s advertisers agree to provide funding for projects we believe will have a beneficial effect upon the environment, health and/or education within local communities. EcoMedia’s advertising programs are not certification programs nor are the EcoAd, WellnessAd or EducationAd logos seals of approval. EcoMedia does not in any way certify, endorse or make any representations about EcoMedia program advertisers, their products or services.

EcoMedia

EcoMedia

At CBS EcoMedia Inc., we have a vision: To harness the power of advertising and channel it into tangible social change.

Since the founding of the company in 2001, our team has worked tirelessly to develop and hone an advertising model that would transform this ideal into reality.

It was with great pride that in 2011 and 2012, we launched our EcoAd, WellnessAd, and EducationAd programs. These unique product offerings are based on our patent-pending ad model through which our clients, in collaboration with our wide network of non-profit partners, provide financial support for critical, yet underfunded, environmental, health, and education projects in communities nationwide.

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