Archive for category: News

John Nico has joined the non-profit group Keep Brevard Beautiful, Inc. as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective January 16, 2024.

Keep Brevard Beautiful’s (KBB) South Action Team presented the “We Noticed” Award to the recently-completed expansion for Northrop Grumman’s (NG) Melbourne campus on May 18. Dozens of local companies plus hundreds of NG employees spent the past six years planning and constructing this expansive project. Seeing a need for parking and offices, NG employees created a plan to minimize their environmental footprint while delivering solutions by incorporating over 24,500 feet of walkways, 29 benches, and Florida native plants across the campus. As part of the sustainable practices, employees identified over 130 trees to keep protected from the construction and are still thriving in the landscape. By utilizing plants like Live Oaks, Slash Pines, Florida Elms and magnolias alongside reclaimed water and low-flow sprinklers, water usage is low. Not only does this provide beautiful habitat for wildlife and reduce environmental impacts, but the shade and aesthetics promote their “walking campus” concept to encourage employees to stay healthy and happy with outdoor exercise in a park-like setting at work. “Northrop Grumman is proud to showcase the improvements made to our Melbourne site,” said Janice Zilch, Vice President, Multi-Domain Command & Control Programs and Melbourne Site Leader. “This impressive undertaking represents the growth we’re experiencing, with a keen eye for improvements to our sustainability efforts. We sincerely appreciate all of our community partners that helped us get here.” No one completes a project on this grand of a scale on their own and NG had a great team and supportive community partners. Key leadership included recently-retired Bill Trillo, Michael Lattari and Daniel Schroeder as Managers of Facilities Engineering and Planning, Kevin Mills as Facilities Project Manager, Jake Wise as Construction Engineering Group’s Civil Engineer, and Susan Hall from Susan Hall Landscape Architecture, Inc. Attending the “We Noticed” presentation were NG Janice Zilch, Vice President, Daniel Schroeder, Facilities Manager, Steve Campbell, Program Director, and Lisa Waters, Environmental Safety, Health, and Medical Manager; City of Melbourne employees; and Keep Brevard Beautiful South Action Team members. The South Action Team recognizes property- and business-owners throughout the southern part of Brevard County year-round for their efforts to beautify the area and environmentally improve their landscaping. The program has been in operation since the 1990’s and has recognized dozens of properties throughout the County.

Source Identifying the flora of Florida could easily…