RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Joan Morris 703-383-2465 joan.morris@virginiadot.org Ryan Hall 703-383-2055

NOVA-NR04-54 Dec. 9, 2004

VDOT Wildflower Program Receives Recognition Award

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Wildflower Program was recognized today by the Community Appearance Alliance of Northern Virginia for planting and maintaining more than 50 acres of wildflowers and one million bulbs along major roadways in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William Counties.

In addition to their spectacular beauty, planting ornamental and native wildflowers has several benefits. Well-kept highways can help reduce accidents and litter because most people are less inclined to throw trash a long a pretty road. Colorful plantings help fight "highway hypnosis" and driver fatigue. Wildflowers also contribute to the environment by providing a source of nourishment for songbirds and beneficial insects. The impact of thousands of colorful flowers is a wonderful welcoming to visitors traveling through the state and serves as a major contribution to the beautification of local communities.

Although the Virginia wildflower program is a state initiative, the success the program has enjoyed is due in large part to the support of garden clubs, civic and professional organizations, and enthusiastic Virginia citizens.

In 1976, VDOT and the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. developed a wildflower program under the auspices of "Operation Wildflower", an initiative founded by Lady Bird Johnson. Since then, several hundreds of acres of wildflowers and bulbs have been planted statewide.

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