Waterfront Botanical Gardens Receives Electric-Powered Lawn Care Equipment

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Waterfront Botanical Gardens Receives Electric-Powered Lawn Care Equipment

Equipment is awarded through the Air Pollution Control District’s Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Community Equipment Grant Program.

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 3, 2022) —­ The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD) today awarded the inaugural Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Community Equipment Grant to Waterfront Botanical Gardens.

Waterfront Botanical Gardens is the first recipient of the grant, which awards professional-powered, electric lawn equipment to non-profit organizations in Louisville. In the package the organization receives an electric mower, trimmer, blower, and extra rechargeable battery that powers all three tools. The grant supports local non-profits in their sustainability goals while expanding and encouraging the use of clean, electric-powered lawn equipment.

“Since I took office in 2011, sustainability has been at the forefront of my administration. In 2020, Metro Council and I worked together to pass an ordinance committing to 100% clean energy for Louisville Metro operations by 2035, and community-wide by 2040. This grant aligns with that goal, and I thank our Air Pollution Control District for their efforts to improve the air we breathe and the health of all our residents,” said Mayor Greg Fischer.

“This is a terrific opportunity to provide equipment that aligns with the sustainability goals of a valuable local organization like Waterfront Botanical Gardens and keeps the air cleaner for their employees and visitors,” said Rachael Hamilton, Director of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District. “We’re excited to see this grant build on the progress that has been made by our Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program.”

Waterfront Botanical Gardens is a growing collection of ornamental gardens featuring trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs among water features and outdoor art. It is preparing to complete Phase I of its master plan, including a 2-acre Japanese Garden.  The site is less than 2 miles east of downtown at the corner of Frankfort Avenue and River Road. Their mission is to cultivate urban botanical gardens that educate, inspire, and enhance appreciation of the relationship between plant life and a healthy environment. Admission is free to the public.

“The Waterfront Botanical Gardens is honored to be awarded the inaugural Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Community Equipment Grant from the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District. The electric lawn equipment is a welcome addition to our horticulture operation of maintaining the grounds and walkways while doing our part to contribute to cleaner air in the Louisville community,” said Kasey Maier, President and CEO of the Waterfront Botanical Gardens. “Environmental education is one of the Waterfront Botanical Garden's pillars, and this gift of professional, powered electric lawn equipment helps us demonstrate our commitment to a healthy environment for our visitors and horticulture employees.”

There are over 71,000 mowable acres of land in Louisville, and approximately 20.5 million pounds of air pollution is produced each year operating gas-powered equipment to maintain that land. Electric-powered lawn equipment reduces emissions that contribute to climate change and improves air quality. The equipment is especially beneficial for the operators and anyone in close proximity, as they are not directly inhaling the pollution created by gas-powered equipment.

The grant is an extension of the APCD’s Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program, which incentivizes the purchase and use of electric-powered lawn equipment by offering rebates to Louisville residents and businesses when they purchase eligible equipment, and even larger rebates to those that also recycle their old gas-powered equipment. The program is in its 19^th year and has issued nearly 12,000 total rebates. The use of electric lawn equipment contributes to Louisville’s goal of 100 percent clean energy community-wide by 2040.

The next round of applications for the grant are open through April 8, 2022. The grant is open to all non-profits located in Jefferson County that could use the equipment to maintain their own grounds. More information on the grant can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/air-pollution-control-district/lawn-care-cleaner-air-community-equipment-grant-program

 

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The Air Pollution Control District works to improve air quality in Louisville through implementing the federal Clean Air Act and implementing other local programs and regulations. Responsibilities of the District include issuing and enforcing permits for sources of air pollution, monitoring the ambient air to ensure that it meets federal air quality standards, and investigating and addressing community reports of air quality issues.