Sustainability project honored with Irrigation Association Vanguard Award
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (July 11, 2018) — The Irrigation Association is honored to announce that the Conserva Irrigation – Target Corporation sustainability project has been awarded a prestigious 2018 Vanguard Award.
Beginning in 2016, the Target Corporation, headed up by the Target sustainability and outdoor services teams, embarked on a pilot program to test if meaningful water savings could be achieved by unbundling the irrigation services from the overall outdoor commercial maintenance package and placing a “common sense” approach to the irrigated Target properties. Through a partnership with Conserva, four stages have been completed, and the project includes more than 320 stores across the United States.
“I am impressed at the scope and success of this project led by Conserva and Target,” IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE, said. “I challenge even more corporate sustainability plans to follow the lead of companies such as Target to include efficient irrigation as a priority in the future.”
On April 11, Target announced that more than 36 million gallons of water were saved as a result of this project.
“While this project may not be sleek and sexy on the surface, a project such as this not only wins, it wins big time with respect to water conservation and healthy plant material,” said Russ Jundt, Conserva Irrigation’s founder, vice president and brand leader. “We are honored to join the Target Corporation and our partner, The Toro Company, in receiving this award.”
Launched in 2017, the IA’s Vanguard Award was created to honor an innovative project in the irrigation industry that was executed by a team of individuals, companies, organizations or other group entities. More information about this award and past recipients can be found at www.irrigation.org/awards.
The Conserva Irrigation – Target Corporation sustainability project will be awarded a Vanguard Award during the general session at the IA’s Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Long Beach, California, on Thursday, Dec. 6.