PRESS RELEASES - MAY 2007

May 25, 2007

Arlington Launches The 2007 Smart Yard Contest
Recognizing the Best in Environmentally-Friendly Landscapes

This week, the City of Arlington launches a contest that recognizes the best in environmentally-friendly landscape design.
The Smart Yard Contest is based on a Texas SmartScape regional program that encourages the usage of native and adaptive plants and trees.
Project Coordinator Roni Crotty said Texas Smartscape landscapes are colorful, healthy and require less water, pesticides and fertilizer to thrive in the hot North Central Texas climate.
“This is our fourth year of raising awareness of how being smart with your traditional landscape is a win-win,” Crotty said. “A low maintenance landscape saves time, water and money. Landscapes can be beautiful and great for the environment.”
The Smart Yard Contest is sponsored by the City of Arlington in partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The last day to enter the contest is Wednesday, Aug. 15.

How to Enter:

• Each resident/property owner can enter up to two categories.
• Each entry should include five recent photos per category. Photos can be taken in May, June or July. Include five additional photos to be considered in the Best Overall Yard category.
• E-mail or mail photos of your “Smart Yard” to the City of Arlington by Aug. 15, 2007. Digital photos are preferred. A site visit could be a part of the judging process.
• Photos submitted for the Smart Yard Contest become the property of the City of Arlington.
• E-mail photos to roni.crotty@arlingtontx.gov  or mail them to Roni Crotty, P.O. Box 90231 MS 63-0400, Arlington, TX 76004-3231.
• Winners will be announced in August.
• For more information, call 817-459-6587.

Winners will earn “braggin’ rights” and receive yard signage declaring their landscape a “Smart Yard.” Review the categories below and prepare to enter your landscape or garden.
The entry deadline is August 15.

Category I – Mulch/Compost
Best use of on-site mulch
Best use of commercial mulch
Best use of organic mulch
Best use of inorganic mulch
Most visually appealing
Biggest compost pile
Best overall

Category II – Plant Materials
Best use of variegated foliage
Best use of ground cover
Best use of shade tolerant plants
Best use of sun tolerant plants
Best use of vines
Most colorful
Best use of eatables in the landscape
Best use of ornamental grasses
Best visually appealing
Most diverse plantings
Best use of wildflowers
Best incorporation of trees into landscape
Best use of shrubs
Best overall

Category III – Wildlife Value
Bird friendly
Butterfly friendly
Critter friendly
Most wildlife friendly water feature
Best overall

Category IV - Design
Best use of an ugly feature
Best use of irrigation
Best use of downspouts
Best use of yard art
Best example of rain garden
Best use of rain water
Most unique water feature
Before and after (before photos must not be more than four years old)
Presentation of a side yard
Presentation of a front yard
Presentation of a backyard
Best use of structures
Best prairie/meadow
Best woodland
Best overall