Lake-Sumter State College and its grounds maintenance partner, SSC Services for Education, were recognized with an Honor Award from the Professional Grounds Management Society in the 2021 Green Star Awards competition.
The award was given in the University and College Grounds (Small- 0-199 Acres) category for exceptional grounds maintenance. Winners were honored during the Society’s 2021 Awards Celebration held on October 21 in conjunction with the School of Grounds Management Annual Conference & GIE+EXPO in Louisville, KY.
“We take great pride in keeping our campuses beautiful for our students, employees, and community,” says Thom Kieft, associate vice president and interim director of facilities management. “We are appreciative of our partners at SSC Services for Education who work hard to maintain our campus grounds at each of our campuses.”
Through the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program, LSSC proudly embraces environmentally sustainable landscape management practices that help preserve and protect Florida’s water and natural resources.
According to UF/IFAS Extension and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the nine principles of a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program are:
- Right plant, right place
- Water efficiently
- Fertilize appropriately
- Mulch
- Attract wildlife
- Manage pests responsibly
- Recycle yard waste
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Protect the waterfront
The PGMS® Green Star Awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complimenting other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction.