James Martin Associates, Inc Receives 2008 National Landscape Environmental Awards from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)

James Martin Associates, Inc. Receives National Landscape Environmental Awards

For Year-Round Design Vision and Site Maintenance Complete Redo, Implementing Chemical Constraints and Moisture Challenges Garner National Environmental Awards for Vernon Hills’ James Martin Associates, Inc.

To define and address homeowner desires and needs and then design and maintain those outdoor living spaces have garnered three Environmental Improvement Awards from the national Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) for Vernon Hills based James Martin Associates, Inc.

“We listen to the goals and desires of each of our clients and analyze what will work best for their location,” states President James Martin. “A well-defined visual landscape is unified through color, texture, size and balance. Understanding of the environment around each home is necessary to our design and care of hardscapes and softscapes.”

The Grand Environmental Improvement Residential Landscape Design/Build Award was given for a Winnetka home’s elegantly transformed grounds.It started with the homeowners’ wish for a pool viewable from not only the first floor but also their basement windows. The pool is designed at grade with a sunken waterfall near the house. A spa built of stone matching the house is raised from the pool area for easy access and offers views of the entertaining area and gardens. The pool deck constructed of bluestone is complete with a misting system to keep it cool. First views of the home, though, show the newly installed low stone wall and pillars flanking the circular driveway of bluestone chips bordered by granite cobbles and redesigned walkway to the front entrance. Entry to the back yard reveals the outdoor kitchen with BBQ built into the house matching stone base with custom black granite countertop. The grade change allows for a bar connecting to the kitchen for the guests to sit and enjoy their meals. Simple gardens of green and burgundy foliage compliment various Asian sculptures throughout the yard. Because of the amount of solid patio surfaces, a retention system is installed. Up-lighting enforces the formal hierarchy of the entry and landscape at night. Lighting brings out the elements of the hardscape, creates shadows from the plant material, highlights the statuary, illuminates the patio steps and brings ambience for outdoor enjoyment.

The Distinction Environmental Improvement Residential Landscape Management Award depicts the solved challenges of too much moisture in some areas and not enough in others for a country home within Winnetka. The goal is to keep this corner residence landscape looking lush and mature and consider the color schemes within the home. Plant material is allowed to spread and establish to help keep the house planted into the site and bring down the scale of the building without overgrowing into the outdoor rooms. Trees are maintained not only for scale and backdrops but to ensure privacy from neighboring homes. The almost flat back lawn, often too moist from the shade of the mature trees, is mowed at a higher level, usually 3 inches, to keep fungus at bay. Core aeration and dethatching keeps grass roots from being waterlogged. Home downspouts are routinely checked to minimize any standing water. Sunnier parts of the site require a different course of action. Blight spray is used to assure the health and vitality of the substantial beds of groundcover and ongoing flower displays of impatiens. Containers of seasonal flowers have a drip irrigation system with ongoing monitoring to ensure the ongoing display of color up to the winter holidays.

Maintaining and providing the luxurious looks of the tidy, sprawling, secluded Lake Forest Estate with as little use of chemicals as possible has brought the Distinction Environmental Improvement Landscape Management Award to James Martin Associates, Inc. A place for outdoor sports activities, entertainment and a play area for their active dogs, the owners want to stay away from harsh chemicals that could harm their pets but also want their lawn and landscaping kept in top shape. A maintenance team of two services the site two times a week. The first is for pruning, weeding, cultivating and over seeding. The second is just for lawn mowing. Because of different nutrient availability with fertilizers, applications are scheduled at different times to guarantee a consistent lush look. An organic fertilizer is used in the backyard and a semi-organic fertilizer in the front. Lawn areas and flower beds are weeded by hand to reduce the need for more chemicals. The front area stepper path and driveway courtyard are swept or raked to keep the bluestone chips clean of debris. Numerous patio planters of boxwood and annuals are changed with the seasons with the owner’s favorite subtle colors.

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James Martin Associates Awards Scholarship to Brigham Young University Student

November 14, 2008 – James Martin Associates was pleased to award a $1,000 scholarship to a BYU Horticulture student, Benjamin Williamson, in recognition of an employee, Nephi Scott Natter, who graduated from BYU with a bachelor of science in Landscape Management in 2007. James Martin Associates recognizes the excellent students and programs found at Brigham Young University.

Scholarship applicants were required to be enrolled at Brigham Young University in either their Junior or Senior year and be majoring in a landscape industry/horticulture related field of study.

This scholarship was awarded to a student that displayed strong motivation and drive to reach personal goals by stretching and growing through experiences and opportunities available during their educational studies. A three person committee, including Scott Natter, Phil Allen, and a third committee member selected the recipient to receive this scholarship.

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James Martin Associates' Philanthropic "Enabling Garden" at the 2006 Chicago Flower & Garden Show

March 10, 2006 –James Martin Associates has again partnered with the Book Stall at Chestnut Court, Winnetka, to offer “A Morning in the Garden” at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier from 9:00 AM to 2 PM on Tuesday, March 14. The fee of $45 includes bus transportation from the Winnetka Park District Golf Course parking lot, admission to the show, and a box lunch from Song O’ Sixpence. At the show, Heidi Sibert, Landscape Architect, James Martin Associates, will provide private tours of “The Enabling Garden” created for the Arthritis Foundation, Greater Chicago Chapter, to display creative garden solutions such as raised beds and vertical gardens for individuals with arthritis. The Garden will also demonstrate specially designed ergonomic tools which assist people of all abilities to experience and treasure gardening. This is the fifth time in seven years that Martin Associates and The Arthritis Foundation have collaborated on a garden at the show which has been a four time recipient of the Governor’s Award. It has long been known that gardening is America’s favorite hobby. However, many don’t know that nearly 66 million Americans are stricken with arthritis, an often painful and debilitating disease. Despite this ailment, there are tools and methods for those who suffer with arthritis that allow them to enjoy and take pleasure in activities in their gardens. The goal of the “ Enabling Garden” is to illustrate these possibilities in a beautiful, intimate backyard garden. “Arthritis is one of the most prevalent of chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over 15,” stated Dr. Jack Klippel, Medical Director of the Arthritis Foundation. The Arthritis Foundation believes in the physical and emotional therapeuticbenefits of gardening. In fact, Dave Mekemson, Chair, of the local Arthritis Foundation chapter, stated, “Gardening is a wonderful activity for people with arthritis. It allows them to move and exercise in a controlled environment.” The “ Enabling Garden” provided tips on how to make gardening more accessible and enjoyable, thus improving the quality of life for those with arthritis and other physical limitations.The landscape architect and project manager for the “ Enabling Garden” is Heidi Sibert, a Vice President and Senior Landscape Architect at James Martin Associates, Inc. and a member of the Board of Directors of the Arthritis Foundation. According to Ms. Sibert, this year’s backyard garden will demonstrate an intimate setting with a variety of experiences, yet will be created to handle the nearly 200,000 visitors expected at this year’s show. The garden will be designed around the focus of being functional, and also display colorful spring flowering trees, shrubs and flowers, a water feature, and beautiful garden structures. The use of raised garden beds, vertical gardens, container gardens, and adaptive gardening tools demonstrate that gardens and gardening can be accessible and inspirational.The Enabling Garden will be constructed through the generous assistance and donations of a team including Aspen Valley Landscape Supply, Inc., Elite Growers, Inc., Goldberg Downey Architects, Midwest Groundcovers, Ruder Builders, Inc., Harper Graphic Images, Wilson Nurseries, D. Hill Nurseries, Red’s Garden Center, Clearwood Carpentry, and Unilock.  About The Arthritis FoundationThe mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Founded in 1948, the it is the only national voluntary health organization that addresses all of the over 100 forms of arthritis. Arthritis Foundation efforts center on the three-fold mission of the organization: research, prevention and quality of life. The Foundation currently has 150 chapters and service points nationwide to provide community-based programs and to raise funds. For more information, visit the website at http://www.arthritis.org/.

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James Martin Associates Wins "Excellence in Landscape" Awards

Vernon Hills, Illinois, February 24, 2006 – James Martin Associates, Inc., the nationally recognized firm of landscape architects and contractors from Vernon Hills, was honored at the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) “Excellence in Landscaping” Awards Ceremony on February 24th with a Gold Award for a Lake Forest residence and a Silver Award for a Highland Park residence.The Gold Award was in recognition for the outstanding landscape redevelopment of a private and heavily wooded property in Lake Forest. The thoughtful incorporation of elements of the home’s architecture into the landscape construction was a major reason this project won the prestigious Gold Award. Another major success of this project was the sensitive reengineering of the rear of the property to address flooding and storm water management in an unrecognizable manner. Finally, the designer’s creative use of walls and steps in solving the site storm water management issues also created visually rich and subtle detailing of the outdoor entertaining spaces for year round viewing interest.The Silver Award was received in recognition for the terrace development of a Highland Park residence. This project was recognized for the graceful way the solution created three distinct outdoor living areas within a compact rear yard. The existing grade change provided the opportunity to separate the spaces through the use of steps and walls. The water feature provides a visually engaging view from the adjacent living room as well as a terrific water noise element when on the terrace. The barbeque feature often serves as the activity center for entertaining and for the owners. Once the food is prepared, the activities move to the formal dining space. The lower terrace offers a view of a pond and a sense of separation from the activities of the house.

About ILCA

The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association is a nationally recognized organization whose mission is to enhance the professionalism and capabilities of landscape architects, designers, and contractors throughout Illinois. The honor of the Gold Award bestowed upon Martin Associates is an acknowledgement of the firm’s artistic talents and professionalism. The judging criteria for this awards program are the quality of materials, workmanship, execution, function, aesthetic aspects and overall presentation. For more information, visit the website at http://www.ilca.net/.

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