The Professional Grounds Management Society recognized the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the society's 2008 Green Star Awards competition.

The Honor Award in the Urban University Grounds category for exceptional grounds maintenance was presented during the society's 2008 School of Grounds Management event in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 22-25.

Other schools honored in that category were Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., and Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. Texas Tech University was the Grand Award winner in that category.

The 11 members of UMBC's Landscape and Grounds Department, led by Donna Anderson, maintain approximately 500 acres of trees, perennials, annuals and shrub beds on the Wilkens Avenue campus.

It also maintains the Library Pond in the center of campus that attracts students and resident wildlife alike.

Set on a long hillside, the school's well-designed landscapes are enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and guests.

The Green Star Awards program brings national recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complementing other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction.

This year's program acknowledged the nation's top manicured grounds in settings ranging from government buildings to amusement parks to universities.

Overall, PGMS presented eight Grand Awards, its highest honor, as well as 11 Honor Awards in seven categories of competition.

Founded in 1911, PGMS is an individual membership society of grounds professionals advancing the grounds management profession through education and professional development.

Its headquarters are on Light Street in Baltimore.

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