June 9th

AvatarBy Mutt Mulligan

TurfMutt’s program expands

TurfMutt

June has only just begun, and it’s already been a big month for TurfMutt!

Last week, the two grand prize winners of the “Be a Backyard Superhero” contest were awarded their $5,000 checks to improve the green spaces at their schools. Since 2010, the TurfMutt program has awarded $35,000 to schools with contest like this!

This year’s K-2 grand prize winner was Ali Tomlinson of Playa Vista, Calif. The 2016 grades 3-5 grand prize winner was Kashvi Ramani, of Ashburn, Va. Congratulations, kids!

This week, we found out that TurfMutt will appear on a second season of the hit TV show Lucky Dogs. On the program, you’ll continue to learn about how to incorporate living landscapes into your yard. These benefit not only the environment, but also your pets and family.

And now, there’s even more exciting news! TurfMutt’s partnership with Scholastic – the global children’s publishing, education and media company – is expanding.

The national TurfMutt education program has been in effect since 2009. Since then, it’s reached more than 62 million children, educators and families. It helps raise awareness about the importance of living landscapes and teaches kids how they can “save the planet, one yard at a time.”

New program developments include an expanded TurfMutt.com site, a new digital storybook, and fresh educational activities for the 2016-17 school year.

Also, TurfMutt is an official sponsor of the national 2016 Fido Friendly Route 66 Pet Adoption Tour in September. TurfMutt’s guardian, Kiser, will attend along with Lucky Dog host Brandon McMillan.

The TurfMutt program materials are free and aligned to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) standards. In 2017 TurfMutt will join the initial launch of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Learning Lab.

Lucky the TurfMutt and his personal home habitat also will be featured in the 2017 Wildlife Habitat Council calendar.

For more, keep an eye on the TurfMutt Facebook page and this blog. You can download TurfMutt resources and activities at TurfMutt.com!