Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. Joins Florida Wildflower Foundation Board of Directors

Landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. of Sarasota's Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. has accepted a two-year position on the Board of Directors for the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Gilkey’s appointment will represent the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects on the eleven-member board. Among the other agencies represented are the Florida Department of Transportation, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the Florida Native Plant Society.

Michael A. Gilkey, Jr. brings to the Florida Wildflower Foundation a depth of knowledge in appropriate design applications for wildflowers and native flowering plants. “I look forward to learning more about Florida’s wildflowers, and helping to suggest ways they might be used more prolifically,” said Gilkey. “Most of us are familiar with the Foundation’s highway beautification efforts, but there are many ways we can use wildflowers and other natives in everyday projects that will benefit Florida’s residents, visitors, wildlife and ecosystems.”

Florida’s native wildflowers have struggled to co-exist with the pressures of progress. As the state’s natural landscape has been increasingly threatened by development, some species have vanished altogether. Still others have been classified as endangered or threatened. The Florida Wildflower Foundation’s mission is to enrich lives with Florida’s native wildflowers.

Through the sale of the State Wildflower license tag, the organization increases the visibility and availability of native wildflowers and grasses by funding research, education and planting projects statewide. Since 2000, the Foundation has used the $15 donation from each State Wildflower license plate sale to:

• Provide more than $2 million for native wildflower education, research and planting projects.
• Spur the development of the wildflower seed industry by supporting the Florida Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association.
• Support Florida’s native nursery industry by increasing demand for flowering native species.
• Build awareness and knowledge of native wildflowers and plants.
• Support highway beautification through widespread wildflower seeding and planting projects.
• Promote wildflower tourism and its enormous economic benefits.
• Partner with like-minded agencies and organizations to support programs such as the Florida Forever land preservation effort.

Ultimately, the Foundation seeks to build a center for wildflower research and education that conveys to visitors and residents alike the beauty of wildflowers and their roles in Florida’s diverse habitats. To support its research effort, the Foundation in 2007 established the Gary Henry Research Endowment Fund at the University of Florida. The endowment is in honor of the contributions made by the organization’s first executive director.

ABOUT MICHAEL A. GILKEY, INC.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com or call (941) 924-0132.

Ashley's Delivers for Mothers' Day

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, has partnered with local Amish restaurant Troyer’s Dutch Heritage, and local chocolatier Peterbrooke, to offer special Mother’s Day Gift Baskets, available for delivery to area moms. The baskets, which are overflowing with handmade delicacies, retail for $55.00, including delivery.

“These baskets make for a uniquely-Sarasota gift,” says Liz Sniegocki, co-owner of Ashley’s Food Delivery. “Filled with either baked goods and treats from a community Amish bakery, or hand-crafted chocolate delights, they both provide a sweet sampling of local flavors.”

The Troyer’s Mother’s Day Basket features fresh bakery treats such as bread, cookies and a small pie, as well as house-made apple butter, peanut butter, fudge and candies. The Peterbrooke basket is filled with chocolate covered popcorn, handmade assortments, hand-dipped specialties and a “Happy Mother’s Day” engraved chocolate bar.Gift basket delivery is available throughout Sarasota every day; 72 hours notice is required (Mother’s Day orders should be received by Thursday, May 6). The full Ashley’s Food Delivery gift menu, including seasonal and year-round gift options, is available at www.AshleysFood.com. Orders may be placed online or by calling 953-FOOD (3663). Complimentary gift cards can be included with all deliveries, upon request.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Ashley's Food Plants Over 13,000 Trees

Ashley’s Food Delivery, the area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, has planted over 13,000 trees since launching its Plant-A-Tree Program on Earth Day 2009. The program avows that for every order placed, Ashley’s Food will plant a tree with Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization that plants trees around the world. Each tree planted helps remove over 50lbs of harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year.

“The amount of trees we’ve planted over the past year is enough to sequester the annual carbon emissions of approximately 30 typical American cars, year after year,” says co-owner Liz Sniegocki, who heads up the Ashley’s Food Green Commitment. “Our Plant-A-Tree program is one way we’re trying to offset the heavy ecological footprint a food delivery service can leave. We’re striving to tread a little lighter by operating in the most environmentally responsible manner that we can.”

The Ashley’s Food Green Commitment extends beyond the tree-planting program to other areas of concern. Last April, the delivery service initiated an education program focused on improving delivery professionals’ vehicle fuel-economy. “Vehicles emit harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to global climate change,” says Sniegocki. “We work to educate our delivery professionals on ways they can reduce CO2 emissions through proper vehicle maintenance and efficient delivery & driving techniques.” The company holds a quarterly in-house Vehicle Maintenance Week to assist delivery professionals in implementing regular vehicle maintenance schedules.

This year, Ashley’s Food Delivery owners are beginning to address concerns about the long-lasting environmental impact of petroleum-based takeout food packaging. “The manufacturing of conventional to-go packaging uses non-renewable resources & energy and produces harmful byproducts. Then, these non-biodegradable products either end up in landfills or as a threat to wildlife when disposed of improperly,” says Sniegocki. As a first step in tackling this multi-faceted issue, Ashley’s Food is providing partner restaurants with information on the benefits of eco-friendly packaging, as well as resources for compostable products made from renewable resources. “We’re hoping to start a conversation with our partners about switching to green packaging,” says Sniegocki. “Building awareness seems like a good place to start.”

The Ashley’s Food Green Commitment also includes a focus on paperless transactions via the company’s website, which features an electronic menu guide and online ordering, as well as continuous monitoring of internal operating procedures to in an effort to reduce solid waste and conserve water & energy.

About Ashley’s Food Delivery: The area’s only multi-restaurant delivery service, Ashley’s Food Delivery partners with over 35 restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton to deliver everything from home-cooked, comfort food to elegant, gourmet dining. Ashley’s Food offers residential & corporate meal delivery, drop-off catering services and gift basket delivery. The service is open for lunch delivery Monday through Friday (Sarasota only) and dinner delivery every day. For more information, call 953-FOOD or visit www.AshleysFood.com.

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Celebrates National Landscape Architecture Month

April is National Landscape Architecture Month, a time for professionals and students to celebrate the impact landscape architecture has created in their communities, and to focus on introducing students and the public to the profession. Locally, Sarasota studio Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is celebrating by educating students of all ages about the profession and practice of landscape architecture, and by giving back to the community.

What is Landscape Architecture?

Landscape architecture is the profession that encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environment. Activities of a landscape architect include creating public parks, site planning for commercial and residential properties, reclaiming blighted areas, designing towns and historic preservation. Landscape architects have advanced education, professional training, specialized skills and licensure in 46 states.
Examples of Landscape Architecture in Sarasota

One signature example of landscape architecture in Sarasota is the estate and museum of John Ringling. Designed by Fort Lauderdale landscape architect Frederic B. Stresau in 1952, the Ringling residence complements the man whose career was predicated on the dramatic and the spectacular. Stresau later made a name for himself as Florida’s premier horticultural landscape architect by penning the popular “Florida, My Eden,” a guide to Florida’s trees and plants.

Another notable landscape architect that literally put his mark on Sarasota was John Nolen, who designed the plan of the city in 1925. Nolen’s firm also procured plans for many other Florida municipalities, including Clearwater, West Palm Beach, and Venice, which he called “an opportunity better…than any other in Florida to apply the most advanced and most practical ideas of regional planning.”
When describing his work on the Sarasota city plan, Nolen said, “A good plan is one which does not attempt to bind the city too far in the future, but is subject to amendment from time to time. It is an encouragement to civic art in that its very design suggests harmony of elements and beauty of form. These features in a recreational center, such as Sarasota, are prime essentials.”

Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. Gives Back for National Landscape Architecture Month

Local landscape architect Michael A. Gilkey, Jr., vice president of Michael A. Gilkey, Inc., will celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month by engaging students in the practice of his profession. At the youngest level, Southside Elementary kindergarten students will design and plant their own “Shoebox Butterfly Gardens,” with flowering plants supplied by Mariposa Nurseries. Gilkey will facilitate the exercise in the students’ science lab, taught by Mr. Chip Phillips. Gilkey is excited to share his love of the profession with even the youngest students, his own son Banyan among them. “Sustainability is a principle that can be taught at a very young age. To me, sustainability is not a constraint, but an avenue to increased creativity. Some of the most creative people I know are children.”

(The following frequently asked questions were reproduced with permission from the American Society of Landscape Architects. For more information please visit www.asla.org, or call 202-216-2331.)

Q. What is the difference between a landscape architect and other design professionals?

Landscape architecture, architecture, civil engineering and urban planning are all professions that work with the “built” environment. Despite some overlap between these professions, there are important distinctions.

-Landscape architects manage any jobs concerning the design and use of outdoor space and the land. The scope of the profession includes site planning, town or urban planning, park and recreation planning, regional planning, garden design and historic preservation.
-Architects primarily design buildings and structures with specific uses, such as homes, offices, schools and factories.
-Civil engineers apply scientific principles to the design and construction of public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and utilities.
-Urban planners develop a broad, comprehensive overview of development for entire cities and regions. Earlier this field was closely associated with landscape architecture and architecture; however, urban planning has developed into a distinct profession with its own courses and degree programs. Today many landscape architects are still heavily involved in the field of urban planning.

Each of these four professions is very distinct from gardeners, landscapers, horticulturists and landscape contractors.

-Gardeners and landscaper designers usually do not have the advanced degree that is requisite for landscape architects. Their activities focus primarily on fundamental garden design and maintenance.
-Horticulturists are trained in the science of growing and producing plants. Many horticulturists become nurserymen or work in garden centers.
-Landscape contractors install planting elements of design conceived by landscape architects. Landscape contractors may be gardeners or landscapers.

Q. Why are commercial developers, urban planners, architects and public policy makers hiring landscape architects with increasing frequency?

Thoughtful landscape architecture adds value to a commercial development by handling aesthetic and practical considerations, and addresses the growing public concern for the environment. In recent years, the most successful building projects in terms of profitability and positive client public response have been those that incorporate the collaborative expertise of many professions. In such cases, landscape architects and the other design professionals have worked together from the project’s planning stages.

ABOUT MICHAEL A. GILKEY, INC.: Michael A. Gilkey, Inc. is a landscape architecture studio in Sarasota, Florida, established in 1981. Through a passion for pure design and personal relationships with architects, contractors and homeowners, Gilkey creates expressions of outdoor space that are direct translations of their clients’ visions. For more information, please visit www.magilkey.com or call (941) 924-0132.