Study: Female Executives At The Center Of Change And Innovation In Corporate America

February 25, 2016

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Female executives are creating corporate cultures of change and innovation, according to a newly published research study conducted by The Everest Project. Eve of Change: Women Redefining Corporate America examines the influence of women’s leadership in today’s global economy and provides insight into how the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation impacts women in the workplace. The full report is available online at www.everestproject.org.

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The study’s findings are the result of over two years of confidential interviews with 132 of some of the most senior-level female executives in the United States. Participants—who identified as Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ, Pan Asian or White—represented over eighty Fortune 500 corporations from a range of different industries and regions. An additional 260 executive level interviews with the interview subject’s manager and her direct report were conducted for a more comprehensive perspective. In total, The Everest Project’s findings are based on 392 interviews.

Key Research Findings

Below are the five key findings presented in Eve of Change: Women Redefining Corporate America:

Women are leading change and transformation in their organizations
Over half of the change initiatives catalogued in the Everest interviews represented strategic or structural change that women led, with significant organizational impact, from contributing billions of dollars to bottom lines, building new businesses, or rebuilding failing ones, to inspiring social movements beyond their corporate doors. They lead from the known to the unknown, transforming the hearts and minds of their people in the process and creating cultures more open to innovation.
Women embrace smart risk
Contrary to popular belief, women take risk – often, significant risk on behalf of their organizations. Being unafraid to fail, throwing assumptions out the window, trying new things and voicing a contrarian opinion: these are just a few ways that interview subjects take risks, which they see as a critically important aspect of leading change.
Humility is the new power tool
Humility, often considered a weakness, is the new power tool in leadership. In this era of flat organizations and a flat world where everyone is called upon to collaborate and work effectively across silos, humility is a critically important skill. When used strategically, humility fosters a vibrant environment where it’s “safe to make change and to break some things” – fertile ground for innovation.
Collaboration is not consensus
In the new reality of hyper connected environments, collaboration is king. If consensus involves equal voice and an emphasis on collective decision making, collaboration is a different animal. Leaders are always at the helm, responsible for taking action that is best for their business.
Difference is more
Being different means having more to contribute and collaboration is the currency for navigating a flat world. Women who have figured out how to use their gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and cultural background, as part of their leadership toolkit, bring far more to the table for their corporations and teams.

Conclusion: Women today are designing a new corporate culture for a time of rapid change. They possess a leadership vision, approaches, and skill – that have not been previously identified and have too often gone unrecognized, underappreciated, and misrepresented in mainstream research. Women use that portfolio of skills and qualities as part of an integrated process for fostering innovation. For women leading this charge, innovation is not a self-contained endeavor. It’s a process that evolves and emerges, fashioned from a culture that interview subjects have imagined and have made real.

“The findings are stunning and speak to the transformative impact women executives are making at their organizations,” stated Lily Tang, President and Co-Founder of The Everest Project. “Contrary to the constant messages about what women have to do to succeed, women are consistently succeeding in leading change; from the massive to the incremental.”

“Our study offers companies a blueprint on how to create a corporate environment that not only empowers women, but also their business,” said Pamela Carlton, Co-Founder and Lead Researcher of The Everest Project. “We hope our findings will help rewrite the script for business success and illuminate how women are shaping corporate cultures and unleashing creativity for sustainable innovation.”

Research partners for the study included leading affinity-based professional organizations Ascend, The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) and Out Leadership. These groups provided thought leadership and helped identify senior level female executives for the study.

“In today’s global economy, having more women in senior leadership positions with unique expertise and diverse perspectives is critical to remain competitive and enhance business performance,” stated Ronald C. Parker, President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. He added that “These findings underscore the value of diversity as more than just good corporate social responsibility – it’s a business imperative.”

Time Warner and Walmart are the lead underwriters of The Everest Project. Other organizations providing corporate sponsorship for the study include Bank of America, American Express, Amgen, 3M, Ernst & Young, Comcast, Comerica, Viacom, Godiva and the Colgate-Palmolive Company.

“Women are leading our businesses at Time Warner in record numbers but more importantly, they have been instrumental in driving our growth and sparking innovation,” said Lisa Garcia Quiroz, President, Time Warner Foundation and SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, ‎Time Warner Inc. “This report masterfully highlights and explores the many contributions of women and how women are critical to the future of our businesses.”

About The Everest Project
The Everest Project is the first theoretical and practical research initiative to take a multicultural and gender specific perspective in examining the role of women executives in corporate America. The findings presented in Everest’s first published research study, Eve of Change: Women Redefining Corporate America, breaks new ground for women and for businesses that understand that managing the status quo is not enough. Leading change is the new normal.

CONTACTS:
Joanna Lin, IW Group, Inc
Phone: (646) 979-8308
[email protected]

Nina Shi, IW Group, Inc
Phone: (646) 979-1840
[email protected]

(Español) Yossie Galindo y Juan Manuel Cao cumplen 10 años presentando AN5.

February 25, 2016

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Natureplex, LLC Acquisition of Medline’s Enema Category

February 24, 2016

OLIVE BRANCH, Mississippi, Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/– Natureplex, LLC, an over-the-counter drug manufacturer headquartered in Olive Branch, Mississippi, is pleased to announce that it has purchased the enema product category from Medline Industries.

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Saline and mineral oil enemas have been part of Natureplex’s product portfolio for many years now. This purchase will complement existing production, contribute to greater efficiencies in component and chemical purchases, and will make Natureplex the largest enema manufacturer in the United States.

Earlier this year, offices were opened in Western Europe. To support growth in international markets and the Medline enema products, the company has added a new distribution center in Olive Branch, MS and is expanding its production facility with additional filling rooms and associated equipment. Second quarter 2016, laboratory space will be doubled and additional office area constructed.

The company plans to work diligently on transitioning customers over and will begin production for its new customers in late February with shipments starting shortly after. Finished Goods inventory is currently being increased with a second shift to ensure no supply disruptions for new or existing customers.

About Natureplex
The privately held company was first started in 2001 and has been growing exponentially each year. Natureplex offers its own control brand, but is also very strong in private label and contract packaging of enemas, feminine hygiene douches, over-the-counter medications, and personal care products. Product categories include both drug and cosmetics. All of our products are made in America by our dedicated team of professionals.

http://www.natureplex.com

Batelco Successfully Obtains Indian Freezing Orders Against Assets of Related Parties of Chinnakannan Sivasankaran and Siva Limited to Enforce its USD 210 Million Judgment

February 24, 2016

MUMBAI, India, Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ –Batelco Group (Ticker: BATELCO ), the international Telecommunications Group with operations across 14 countries, has successfully obtained Indian freezing orders from the Madras High Court against certain Indian assets of Chinnakannan Sivasankaran (Mr Siva) and his related parties namely: his ex-wife Mrs Jayalakshmi Sivasankaran, his father R.C.K. Vallal, his mother Chinnakannan Chandrammal, his long-term associates Baskaran, Nithyavathi Venkatesan and his related company, Siva Limited. The value of the assets frozen by such orders is estimated to be approximately 500 Crore (US$ 74 million).

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The orders that have been made by the Madras High Court are intended to pay down a substantial UK judgment that was awarded to BMIC Limited (a fully owned subsidiary of Batelco) by the English High Court of Justice totaling US$ 212 million in June 2014 (the UK Judgement). The UK Judgement was awarded against Mr Siva and Siva Limited, following BMIC’s successful litigation against them (the defendants). The UK Judgment found that the defendants failed to honour a Settlement Agreement signed with BMIC in November 2011, relating to a commercial venture into which such parties had entered in 2009. According to the UK Judgment, full payment should have been made to BMIC by the defendants by 26 June 2014. To date the defendants have failed to pay such sum to BMIC.

Ihab Hannawi, Group CEO of Batelco said:

“We fully expect all of the respondents to honour the Indian Court Orders and pay to BMIC the monies owing to it under the UK judgement. We will pursue all legal avenues available to us against such parties to secure this outstanding payment.”

[BMIC acquired a 42.7% stake of Indian registered S Tel in 2009. S Tel had been awarded a 2G Licence in 2008. Following the cancelation of 2G licences by India’s Supreme Court in February 2012, BMIC sought to implement an agreed put option which under certain circumstances, such as the cancelation of its 2G licence, or in the event of a failure of Siva to secure financing, would ensure Siva bought back the shares acquired by BMIC at the price paid originally. BMIC and the defendants entered into the binding Settlement Agreement to give effect to this commitment which contained a promise by Mr Sivasankaran and Siva Limited to make payment to BMIC in agreed circumstances.]

(Español) Cuatro razones para votar en las primarias o en los “caucuses”

February 24, 2016

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Turn Five Minutes of Airport Downtime into a Lifesaving Layover

February 24, 2016

DALLAS, Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Airport travelers can now put their time to good use and take five minutes to learn the simple, yet lifesaving skills of Hands-Only CPR via interactive training kiosks debuting at six major airport hubs across the country, courtesy of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc.

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Each Hands-Only CPR training kiosk features a touch screen with a video program that gives a brief “how-to,” followed by a practice session and a 30-second CPR test. With the help of a practice manikin, or a rubber torso, the kiosk provides feedback about the depth and rate of compressions and proper hand placement – factors that influence the effectiveness of CPR. The kiosks will be available at Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), Indianapolis International (IND), Las Vegas’ McCarran International (LAS), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) airports. Two additional kiosks will be available at The Global Center for Health Innovation in Cleveland, Ohio and Anthem’s office in Washington, D.C.

Every year, more than 359,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital and more than 20 percent occur in public places like airports, casinos and sporting facilities. “Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death in the United States, and survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby,” said Clifton Callaway, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the AHA’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care committee and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. “Although in-person training is still the best way to learn high-quality CPR, the kiosk will provide additional training that could make a difference and save the life of someone you love.”

The launch of these seven kiosks comes on the heels of the successful and life-saving pilot kiosk installed in 2013 at the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) by AHA and American Airlines Occupation Health Services. This kiosk, which is located in Terminal C, Gate 7, has trained more than 25,000 travelers.

“For those who suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, only 10 percent survive – but effective bystander CPR provided immediately after cardiac arrest can double or even triple these chances,” Dr. Craig Samitt, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Anthem, Inc. said. “That’s why for the past four years, we’ve been working closely with the American Heart Association to help educate people about Hands-Only CPR and we’re excited to launch these new kiosks as an extension of this campaign. To date, we’ve helped to educate and train more than three million people in this life-saving skill with the goal of preparing people to act in an emergency to save the lives of strangers, or those they love most.”

Just this month, The Anthem Foundation was the recipient of the 2016 AHA Impact Award in recognition of impacting the lives of people across the country by bringing them the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR.

Five years ago, AHA simplified the steps of CPR to encourage more people to take action: if a bystander sees a teen or adult collapse, he or she should first call 9-1-1, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive,” which has the perfect cadence for proper CPR. Hands-Only CPR removes the step of rescue breaths; bystanders should simply keep pushing until emergency help arrives.

The timing of AHA’s kiosk launches coincide with American Heart Month (February), a federally designated month devoted to raising awareness about heart disease and educating Americans about what they can do to live healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

To learn more about the Hands-Only CPR campaign and learn how to save a life, visit www.heart.org/handsonlycpr or facebook.com/AHACPR. Visit www.heart.org/rcp for Spanish resources.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. As part of our dedication to saving lives, we are setting out to train all Americans in lifesaving Hands-Only CPR. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.

About the Anthem Foundation
The Anthem Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. and through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes the inherent commitment of Anthem, Inc. to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem, Inc. and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Associate Giving program which provides a 50 percent match of associates’ pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Anthem Foundation, please visit http://www.anthem.foundation and its blog at http://anthemfoundation.tumblr.com.

Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ Cast Off Third Annual Search for the Country’s Greatest Family Fishing & Boating Spots

February 23, 2016

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FISHING & BOATING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME FROM TAKE ME FISHING(TM)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The America’s Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots Instant Win and Sweepstakes is back for its third consecutive year, and it’s no fish tale that it will now cast a wider net to reach more people across the country than ever before, due to its new features, including a Spanish-language version and mobile-friendly components. The Sweepstakes, which aims to increase awareness of the great family-friendly places across the country and get more families out on the water fishing and boating, is part of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns.

“Fishing and boating are continually ranked among America’s most popular outdoors activities. This data, along with the successes we’ve seen since our Sweepstakes’ inception, led us to add new features this year that will allow for even more people across the country to participate,” said RBFF President and CEO, Frank Peterson. “Adding accessibility to a wide-reaching audience is especially important this year, as it is the National Park Service Centennial. The Centennial provides us with an expanded opportunity and responsibility to remind and educate everyone about the positive experiences fishing and boating provide, as well as the conservation benefits they have on our nation’s waterways, from local, hidden gems to the country’s most beautiful National Parks.”

This year’s Sweepstakes includes several National Parks like the Everglades, which ranked No. 1 on the 2015 Top Places list. Offering more than 310 pre-selected family-friendly parks from across the U.S., entrants can vote daily for the three parks they feel offer the best fishing and boating experience based on family amenities, location and the likeliness to catch a fish or enjoy a day on the water. The Sweepstakes voting duration is six weeks-long, ending on March 27, 2016 at 11:59pm EST. The parks with the most votes will make the list of the 2016 America’s Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots, which will be released during National Fishing and Boating Week from June 4 – 12, 2016.

Those who enter the sweepstakes will have a chance to win an instant prize, a Take Me Fishing™ Drawstring bag. One lucky grand prize winner will receive their own memory-making experience from Take Me Fishing™: a three-night, four-day stay for four at the Walt Disney World® Resort, including a Guided Fishing Excursion. Full prize information can be found in the Official Rules.

Since 2007, the Take Me Fishing™ campaign has played a critical role in introducing families and newcomers to boating and fishing; the campaign’s Spanish-language counterpart, Vamos A Pescar™, joined this effort when it launched in 2013. The campaigns have helped in generating $650M that is distributed to the states for projects conservation efforts. TakeMeFishing.org and VamosAPescar.org campaigns increase awareness of the need to protect, conserve and restore the nation’s aquatic resources by encouraging participation in recreational boating and fishing.

To learn more about the sweepstakes and to vote for your favorite parks, visit America’s Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots Instant Win and Sweepstakes.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

Follow Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ within the social media space:

TAKE ME FISHING.ORG
http://www.facebook.com/takemefishing
http://www.twitter.com/take_me_fishing
https://instagram.com/take_me_fishing/

VAMOS A PESCAR.ORG
https://www.facebook.com/VamosAPescar.org
http://www.twitter.com/Vamos_A_Pescar
http://www.instagram.com/vamosapescar

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Tecate Knocks-Out Sponsorship With Golden Boy Promotions And Lands A Sponsorship Deal With Mexican Superstar Canelo Alvarez

February 23, 2016

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After a banner 2015 in boxing, Tecate, the Mexican beer with bold flavor, announced today it will enter 2016 as the exclusive beer and presenting sponsor for Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and has signed an endorsement contract with boxing’s biggest star, current WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Champion and Golden Boy Promotions fighter, Canelo Alvarez.

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In 2016, Tecate will continue to become more synonymous with legendary boxing matches and for the first time in the brand’s history, will endorse an individual boxer, Canelo, leveraging his popularity to promote the brand’s 2016 ‘BORN BOLD’ campaign. As part of the endorsement, Canelo will wear Tecate branded boxing trunks in the ring in his upcoming marquee fights in May and September, 2016.

“The new partnership with Tecate establishes Canelo as the biggest star in all of boxing, period,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “With this partnership with Tecate and his commitment to fight on Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day weekends — boxing’s two biggest annual dates — Canelo’s popularity will only continue to soar for years to come.”

“Tecate is a world recognized company and I am very happy to have a strong and serious sponsor be part of my team,” said Canelo Alvarez. “With Tecate on my side, I know that we will take our brands to new heights. Through our partnership will be able to achieve our mutual goals and lead boxing into its next great era.”

“This sponsorship is an incredibly natural fit,” said Gustavo Guerra, brand director for Tecate. “Not only is boxing one of our consumer’s biggest passion points, but Golden Boy Promotions, Canelo and Tecate share common ground for being Mexico’s best in their respective categories – boxing and beer.”

The multi-year sponsorship contract with Golden Boy Promotions will have Tecate featured prominently in the center ring, around the mat and throughout the arena.

For additional details on Tecate’s “Born Bold” campaign, the sponsorship of Golden Boy Promotions fights, or to speak with a Tecate and Tecate Light representative about the brand’s support of boxing, contact BRAYA at [email protected].

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Alvarez, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @Canelo.

About HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USA Inc., the nation’s leading upscale beer importer, is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN International NV, the world’s most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken^®, the world’s most international beer brand, Strongbow Hard Apple Ciders, Amstel Light, and Newcastle Brown Ale. HEINEKEN USA also imports the Dos Equis Franchise, Tecate Franchise, Sol, Indio, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For the latest information on our company and brands, follow us on Twitter @HeinekenUSACorp, or visit HEINEKENUSA.com.

About Golden Boy Promotions
Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by 10-time world champion in six divisions Oscar De La Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the world and has worked with networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, Estrella TV, ESPN, TeleFutura, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, Televisa and TV Azteca. The company has also promoted some of the top boxing events in the history of the sport including De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, Mayweather vs. Canelo and other notable pay-per-view fights featuring fan-favorites Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco “Baby Faced Assassin” Antonio Barrera, Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Sugar Shane Mosley.

About Canelo Alvarez
At the age of 25, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez (46-1-1, 32 KOs) has conquered the boxing world, captivating fans both at home and around the globe with his action-packed fighting style, charisma and willingness to take on the toughest challenges. The current WBC, RING Magazine and Lineal Middleweight Champion, was last seen in the ring against former four-division world champion Miguel Cotto on November 21, 2015, defeating him via unanimous decision. The 2015 Fighter of the Year candidate’s road to stardom began in 2011 with a win over Matthew “Magic” Hatton for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World title, his first title defense against Ryan Rhodes and stoppage victories over Alfonso Gomez and Kermit Cintron. Then in 2012, Canelo defended his belt against future Hall of Famer Sugar Shane Mosley and showed the veteran his first retirement, winning via unanimous decision in 12 rounds. Canelo continued on the path to superstardom in 2013 with a fifth round technical knockout of Josesito Lopez, followed by a 12-round unanimous decision victory over then world champion, Austin Trout in front of over 40,000 fans at San Antonio’s Alamodome. The victory earned, Canelo the WBA Super Welterweight World Championship and proved his dominance at 154-pounds and a clear, bonafide ticket seller. On September 14, 2013, Canelo faced the man on top of the pound-for-pound list – Floyd “Money” Mayweather – giving a stellar effort before falling short of victory for the first time via 12-round majority decision. The fight ended up being the biggest of 2013, but also the second highest grossing bout of all-time and the second most watched boxing event ever on Mexican television (only behind 2015’s Mayweather-Pacquiao). Since then, Canelo has won four straight fights, defeating top stars Alfredo “Perro” Angulo via 10^th round technical knockout and Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara via split decision in 2014 and achieved 2015’s Knockout of the Year over James “Mandingo Warrior” Kirkland on May 9, at Minute Maid Park in Houston in front more than 31,000 fans.

Survey Reveals Top Ten Design Trends for Residential Landscape Architecture

February 23, 2016

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sustainable design is the big trend for residential landscapes, according to the 2016 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The top trend—rainwater/graywater harvesting—reflects a growing consumer demand for beautiful residential landscapes that also save water.

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Landscape architects were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements in 2016. The survey was fielded February 4 through February 18, 2016, with 803 responding.

Respondents expected the greatest demand for outdoor living spaces that are environmentally sustainable, reduce water costs and are low maintenance.

Here are the top ten project types with the expected highest consumer demand:

Rainwater/graywater harvesting – 88%
Native plants – 86%
Native/adapted drought tolerant plants – 85%
Low-maintenance landscapes – 85%
Permeable paving – 77%
Fire pits/fireplaces – 75%
Food/vegetable gardens (including orchards, vineyards, etc.) – 75%
Rain gardens – 73%
Drip/water-efficient irrigation – 72%
Reduced lawn area – 72%

Water-focused design elements dominated this year’s top ten list and reflect consumers’ growing commitment to landscapes that reduce water use and stormwater runoff, says Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA.

“Water issues are hot topics for many communities, and many people are turning to landscape architects for creative green infrastructure solutions,” said Somerville. “Sustainable residential landscape architecture, if part of a broader integrated site design, can dramatically reduce water usage and stormwater runoff over the long term while creating a healthy residential environment.”

The top three most popular outdoor design elements include fire pits/fireplaces (75 percent), lighting (67 percent) and wireless/internet connectivity (66 percent).

The top landscape and garden elements include native plants (86 percent), low-maintenance landscapes (85 percent) and food/vegetable gardens (75 percent). Pergolas (51 percent), decks (47 percent), arbors (44 percent) and fencing (44 percent) are expected to be the most popular outdoor structures.

The hottest sustainable design elements include rainwater/graywater harvesting (88 percent), native/adapted drought tolerant plants (85 percent) and permeable paving (77 percent).

The most popular outdoor recreation amenities for 2016 will include sports courts (41 percent), spa features (40 percent) and swimming pools (36 percent).

For more landscape ideas for your home, and to find a professional in your area, visit www.asla.org/residentialinfo.

Outdoor Design Elements