HELIX Environmental Planning was recognized for the design and installation of a native plant demonstration garden for the 2016 Paul Ecke, Jr. Garden Show – a component of the San Diego County Fair.
The educational exhibit, developed by HELIX’s habitat construction group in collaboration with HELIX biologists and marketing communications staff, features a vernal pool inspired landscape design with all native plants. Visitors can see a cross section of a vernal pool to learn about the various sediment layers in the soil, as well as an artificial burrow for the burrowing owl, a rapidly declining species found in San Diego.
The exhibit opened to the public on June 3, with the opening of the San Diego County Fair, and the HELIX exhibit was recognized with numerous awards including:
- 2nd Place Overall, Small Professional Landscape Exhibits
- Cuyamaca College, Botanical Society Award
- San Diego Horticultural Society, Excellence in Horticulture Award
- Master Gardener Association of San Diego County, Earth Friendly Garden Award
The Cuyamaca College award presented to HELIX, recognizes best presentation of the landscape display in the drawn landscape plan as well as exhibit design features such as ease of reference, accuracy of plant identification, layout, and color presentation. The San Diego Horticultural Society award recognizes the best use of native plants, and the Master Gardener Association award recognizes the landscape display that best demonstrates earth-friendly gardening principles.
HELIX is honored by the recognition and excited to participate in an event that is such an integral part of the San Diego community. The exhibit will be open during fair hours from June 3 through July 4 in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show area of the fairgrounds.