Husqvarna and Daniel Stowe Conservancy Partner To Advance Sustainable Groundskeeping In North Carolina
Charlotte, N.C. —July 28, 2025—In honor of World Nature Conservation Day, Husqvarna, a global leader in outdoor power equipment, announced a strategic partnership with the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, a 380-acre botanical garden and conservation site located near Husqvarna’s North American headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. Together, the two organizations aim to inspire environmental stewardship and foster sustainability within their community.
Sustainability is at the heart of Husqvarna’s mission to power a greener future. Husqvarna is committed to reducing the environmental impact of outdoor equipment through clear goals, including reducing absolute CO₂ emissions by 35% and launching 50 new Circular Innovations by the end of 2025.
As Stowe’s Preferred Equipment Provider, Husqvarna will support the Conservancy’s transition to long-term, low-noise, and emission-free solutions—including Husqvarna Automower® robotic mowers and battery-powered tools—helping advance its conservation goals while complementing its existing fleet.
Beyond grounds maintenance, the partnership includes sponsored community events, volunteer opportunities, and collaboration through Stowe’s Sustainability Advisory Committee.
“We are thrilled to team up with an organization like the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, which shares our deep roots in the Charlotte community and a bold vision for sustainability,” says Alex Trimboli, Senior Director of Marketing. “This partnership kicks off an exciting future of collaboration, making a lasting impact not only on the Conservancy’s beautiful landscape but on our city’s environmental future.”
Daniel Stowe Conservancy is an ecological haven featuring woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, and the 90-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Open daily to the public, it serves as a space for community connection, environmental education, and outdoor exploration. Guided by the vision of founder Daniel J. Stowe, the Conservancy is deeply committed to conservation through native plant restoration, prairie revitalization, and sustainable practices, including its shift to low-emission equipment through this partnership.
"As we become even stronger stewards of these expansive grounds, minimizing emissions and reducing sound pollution remain top priorities,” says Jason Bonham, Director of Horticulture at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy. “Partnering with Husqvarna allows us to replace most of our gas-powered tools with cleaner, quieter battery-powered alternatives, enhancing our efficiency, safety, and long-term sustainability.”
As the Preferred Equipment Provider, Husqvarna supports Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s environmental mission by supplying a comprehensive range of equipment, including battery- and gas-powered products. Both organizations recognize that each technology serves a distinct purpose, with emphasis placed on selecting the appropriate equipment for the job.
To learn more about Husqvarna’s commitment to sustainability and progress on its 2025 goals, visit https://www.husqvarna.com/us/discover/husqvarnas-take-on-sustainability/.
About Husqvarna Group
Husqvarna Group was founded in 1689 and is today a world-leading manufacturer of innovative products and solutions for forest, park, and garden management. The range includes robotic lawnmowers, chainsaws, trimmers, riding lawnmowers, and garden irrigation. Husqvarna Group is also a leader in equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. The Group's products and solutions are mainly sold under the global Husqvarna and Gardena brands via direct sales, dealers, and retailers to consumers and professional users in more than 100 countries.
For further inquiries, please contact the company at usmedia@husqvarnagroup.com.
East Bay Regional Park District Acquires 140 Acres For Future Deer Valley Regional Park
The East Bay Regional Park District announced the acquisition of 140 acres adjacent to Deer Valley Regional Park in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. The property is located in eastern unincorporated Contra Costa County, south of Antioch and southwest of Brentwood, within the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP) area.
The property was purchased from the John R. Freschi, Jr., 2018 Living Trust and is accessed from Briones Valley Road, approximately 1.3 miles west of Deer Valley Road. The property will become an addition to Deer Valley Regional Park.
Consistent with other properties acquired in partnership with the Conservancy and conserved for the HCP/NCCP, a Covenant to Restrict Use of Property ensures that existing wildlife and habitat values are protected. The restrictive covenant permits public recreation compatible with habitat values.
The property is composed of oak woodland and oak savanna and includes sprawling grasslands, a segment of Marsh Creek riparian habitat, and a seasonal pond. No species studies have been completed yet, but habitat found on the Freschi property is known to support the California red-legged frog, the California tiger salamander, and a variety of raptors.
“This acquisition reflects the Park District’s ongoing commitment to protecting critical habitat and expanding access to nature for all,” says Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. "We’re grateful for our strong partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy and the support of state agencies that helped make this purchase possible. We look forward to incorporating this beautiful landscape into Deer Valley Regional Park and to preserving its ecological value for generations to come.”
“Preserving this land not only safeguards vital habitat but also furthers our vision of connecting people to open space in East Contra Costa County,” says Colin Coffey, Park District Board Member representing Ward 7, which includes parts of Contra Costa County. “Strategic acquisitions like this are a key part of building out a regional park network that serves both wildlife and the community. I’m proud to see this progress in a region I represent and care deeply about.”
“Land conservation in this region is made possible through strong, collaborative partnerships,” says Hugh Henderson, Board Chair for the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy and Vice Mayor of the City of Oakley. “The Conservancy and the Park District worked closely with the seller to secure the protection of this property. As habitat for endangered and threatened species, this land holds significant ecological value, and we are dedicated to its long-term stewardship and conservation.”
A public ribbon cutting to celebrate the addition of the property to the Park District will take place later in the year.
Funding Sources
The property was acquired in partnership with the Conservancy using a combination of grant funds from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife ($1.5 million), with additional funding ($320,000) provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board, both secured by the Conservancy.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, over 126,000 acres, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Manufacturer Introduces New Baseball And Softball Product Line
Bison, Inc., of Lincoln, Neb., recently expanded its product offering with baseball and softball batting cages, foul poles, netting systems, portable sports fencing, backstops, and accessories, which will join its existing line of field padding and outdoor bleachers and benches.
Recent Bison dealer surveys and regular inquiries from athletic directors, facility managers, and coaches over the years have resulted in Bison introducing an initial lineup of popular baseball and softball equipment with the expectation that the line will continue to grow over the next few years.
Details about the new baseball and softball line are available online at https://bisoninc.com/baseball-and-softball, and equipment catalogs are available upon request by calling 800-247-7668. Bison’s product specialists and local sporting goods dealers are available to assist with questions and budgeting.
Nick Cusick, founder and CEO of Bison, says, “It is important to us that this new baseball and softball line is designed and built with the same high quality, durability, and safety that sports facilities have come to expect from Bison. We hope dealers and their customers will consider Bison when making choices regarding baseball and softball equipment needs.”
The Lincoln-based manufacturer has been one of the industry’s top suppliers of sporting goods equipment for 40 years. Bison’s 100 employees continue to supply U.S. and international athletic directors, coaches, facility administrators, and equipment managers with safe, durable, and innovative sports equipment made in the U.S.A.
Bison also manufactures premium residential basketball equipment for families’ driveways and backyards.
Bison’s National Sales Manager Chris Livingston adds, “Bison’s addition of baseball/softball products in response to dealer requests helps round out our overall product line, and I look forward to watching this category grow over time.”
For more information on Bison, visit www.bisoninc.com/about-us/.
Sightline Commercial Solutions Celebrates 35 Years Of Engineering Innovation, Industry Leadership, And Standout Projects Across Sports And Entertainment
Founded in 1990, Sightline Commercial Solutions has spent the past three and a half decades transforming the infrastructure of some of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, theaters, and public venues across North America. What began as a small company with a bold vision has grown into a leading national provider of custom-engineered architectural railing and staging systems for the athletic, entertainment, and commercial building industries. This year, Sightline celebrates its 35th anniversary and a continued commitment to engineering innovation and design leadership.
“For 35 years, we’ve been engineering solutions that not only meet structural needs but also elevate the visual and functional experience of the spaces we touch,” says Jon Chase, Chief Engineering Officer at Sightline Commercial Solutions. “This milestone is not just about looking back; it’s about honoring the journey of innovation, collaboration, and craft that has brought us here and charting where we go next.”
Founded in 1990 as Staging Concepts, the company got its start building platforms and risers for theaters and event spaces. As accessibility took centerstage, the company helped venues meet ADA standards, and soon, railings became part of the mix. Its big break came in 2004, when a major railing project at Busch Stadium cast the company onto the national sports scene. Since then, Sightline has worked on some of the biggest venues in sports and entertainment from Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium to the NCAA Final Four Tournament, American Country Music Awards, the TODAY show, and even the 2017 presidential inauguration.
Renamed Sightline Commercial Solutions in 2022, the company’s custom-engineered railing and staging systems can be found across venues from stadiums and arenas to hospitals, hotels, and airports. Whether it’s a metal panel façade at Audi Field, 13 miles of architectural railing at SoFi Stadium , or custom-designed topiary towers at Target Field, Sightline brings ideas to life with code-savvy engineering, state-of-the-art fabrication, and industry-renowned execution.
While much has changed over the past 35 years, Sightline’s mission has remained constant: to bring ambitious architectural visions to life.
To learn more about Sightline Commercial Solutions, visit www.sightlinecommercial.com.
Field Notes
Allen Engineering Corporation (AEC), a family-owned and industry-leading manufacturer of high-quality concrete equipment, announced the promotion of Shannon Powers to Vice President of Finance and Administration and the hiring of Josh Whitaker as Director of Operations.
Bax Engineering announced the addition of four new team members: Austin Maier as a Survey Party Chief, Landon Quarles as a Survey Field Crew team member, and Dylan Pettus and Andrew Wilson as AutoCAD Technicians on Bax’s drafting team.
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation announced Martin Wera as its next Executive Director, effective September 8.
Cornerstone Building Brands, a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America, named Gunner Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 11.
Molly Marhofer, Community Outreach Director at Ron Marhofer Auto Family, will serve as the 2026 volunteer chair of Go Red for Women in Akron-Canton (Ohio).
MaxLite, a leading innovator in energy-efficient lighting and controls, announced the strategic expansion of its leadership team with the appointments of Thomas Rhee as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Dwight Kitchen as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).
Calendar
November
18-19 2025 OPRA Leadership Summit, Columbus, Ohio—The Plaza Hotel Columbus at Capitol Square; https://www.opraonline.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=58
24-25 Connecticut Recreation & Parks Association, Inc. 2025 Conference & Tradeshow, Uncasville, Conn.—Mohegan Sun Hotel & Convention Center; https://crpa.com/conference
December
5-7 ITA Coaches Convention, Tempe, Ariz.—ASU; https://wearecollegetennis.com/2025/04/07/save-the-date-2025-ita-coaches-convention-headed-to-arizona-state/
5-7 Coach Inclusion Summit, Orlando, Fla.—USTA National Campus; https://www.usta.com/en/home/coach-organize/coaches/career-development/usta-diverse-coaches-development-summit.html
January
13-15 The Northern New England Recreation & Parks Conference, Bartlett, N.H.—Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash; https://nnerpc.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
28 American Camp Association Micro Staffing Event, Virtual; https://www.acacamps.org/events-education/event/aca-staffing-summit