Latest news with #TurfMuttFoundation
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
TurfMutt Foundation Advocates for Pollinators, Habitat-Rich Green Spaces
June is National Pollinator Month LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As National Pollinator Month unfolds in June, the TurfMutt Foundation urges everyone to support vital pollinator populations, such as birds, bees, butterflies and bats, in their family yards, parks, community gardens, greenways, municipal golf courses and other community green areas. These living landscapes can provide essential shelter and food for important pollinators. "Pollinators are the unsung heroes of the natural world, and are essential in growing fruits, vegetables and flowers," says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of managed green space. "By creating and maintaining healthy green spaces in our communities and backyards, we can directly support their survival and contribute to a healthier planet." A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the TurfMutt Foundation revealed that connecting with nature (60 percent) and observing wildlife (51 percent) are among the most enjoyed activities in public green spaces, like public parks, underscoring the shared value these areas provide for both people, pets and pollinators. The TurfMutt Foundation offers four ways communities can tap into the power of green space for pollinators: Prioritize plants for your climate zone: Plant, tree and shrub species that naturally occur in your region are more beneficial to local pollinators than invasive species that can disrupt the ecosystem. Milkweed, for instance, is particularly valuable for monarch butterflies – a fantastic addition to any public green space. Plant for continuous blooms: Selecting a variety of nectar-rich, flowering plants and shrubs that bloom at different times during the year ensures continuous support for pollinators. Empower young pollinator advocates: Create programs to engage children in becoming pollinator champions. TurfMutt's free STEM-based lesson plans include an activity called Protecting Pollinators to help students learn how to design a green space where pollinators will thrive. Foster community stewardship: Foster community engagement to support pollinators through volunteer opportunities and pollinator-specific events. Encourage your community to plan for and protect parks, community gardens, green school yards and other community green space. For inspiration, consult the National Recreation & Park Association's Parks & Pollinators resource. To learn more about how to create pollinator-friendly green spaces, explore the TurfMutt Foundation's International Backyarding Fact Book and sign up for Mutt Mail here. Follow the adventures of Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television and Mission Unstoppable shows on Saturday mornings. Media contact Debbi Mayster, Four Leaf PR on behalf of the TurfMutt Foundation, 240-988-6243, debbi@ About the TurfMutt FoundationTurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery and Weekly Reader, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to "save the planet, one yard at a time." Today, TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt's personal home habitat was featured in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. In 2024, the Great Lawn at Louisville's award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River was renamed the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn as part of a $1 million sponsorship. More information at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TurfMutt Foundation Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
21-05-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
The TurfMutt Foundation Reveals Six Park Personality Types
Recent research shows the power of parks in our communities LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — From bustling activity hubs to tranquil nature escapes, public parks offer diverse experiences that cater to different preferences. Based on new research conducted for the TurfMutt Foundation by The Harris Poll, the Foundation unveils six distinct 'Park Personality Types.' The study shows 9 in 10 Americans want communities to prioritize providing public green space for residents' health and well-being, and they desire more parks, walking trails and picnic spots near their homes. 'Our research revealed something fascinating: people utilize and benefit from parks differently,' says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which has advocated for the care and use of green spaces around us for over 15 years. 'Understanding these park personality types can help communities better cater to the diverse needs of residents and can also help residents maximize the power of parks in their community.' The six park personality types as identified by the TurfMutt Foundation: Park Pros are experts at tapping into the diverse activities parks offer including walking and hiking and enjoying nature, and they take many indoor activities, such as working, exercising, dining and connecting with friends and family, to park settings. Dog Park Enthusiasts ensure their pet's exercise and socialization by visiting park trails and dog parks, which are critical to urban neighborhoods that don't have large yards or access to dog-friendly spaces. Picnic Players gather at park pavilion shelters and picnic tables, enjoying family barbeques, school reunions, family gatherings and more. Nature Lovers enjoy birdwatching, appreciate landscape diversity, and want to see parks support pollinators and other local wildlife habitats with flowering plants, shrubs and trees. Outdoor Educators want to improve education outcomes and behavioral issues in kids by taking learning outside. Study sessions in the grass, hands-on learning in an outdoor classroom science lab, and nature-based scavenger hunts are all part of their lesson plans. Earn extra credit by incorporating TurfMutt's free, STEM-based lesson plans, which are downloadable here or in the USGBC® Learning Lab. Exercise and Sports Fans have a real appreciation for natural turf playing fields where they can exercise, play baseball, tennis, pickleball, golf and more, or cheer on their kids' games. Waterfront Park, home of the TurfMutt Great Lawn and located in TurfMutt's hometown of Louisville, was named #1 Riverwalk in the United States in the USA Today Readers' Choice Awards. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show and Mission Unstoppable on Saturday mornings. Check out the TurfMutt Foundation's International Backyarding Fact Book to learn more about the power of parks and other green space around us. Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with 'backyarding' tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here. Media contact Debbi Mayster, Four Leaf PR on behalf of the TurfMutt Foundation, 240-988-6243, debbi@ About the TurfMutt FoundationTurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery and Weekly Reader, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to 'save the planet, one yard at a time.' Today, TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt's personal home habitat was featured in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. In 2024, the Great Lawn at Louisville's award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River was renamed the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn as part of a $1 million sponsorship. More information at
