Perfect Earth Project is a non-profit organization that was started by Edwina von Gal in 2006. They operate out of offices in East Hampton, raising awareness about the harmful toxins and chemicals regularly found in lawn care and landscaping.
Edwina is passionate about promoting toxin-free techniques to achieve beautiful lawns, and with no additional cost. This mission leads to more safety and the health of people, pets, and the planet.
Edwina frequently speaks on this topic, sharing her knowledge in lectures and resources, as well as hosting educational events. The motto of Perfect Earth Project is “Transforming landscapes and minds, yard by yard.” Edwina spoke more about the organization, their mission, and the impact the East End has had on Perfect Earth Project’s success. She invites everyone to educate themselves and others on the topic and get involved in toxin-free lawn care!
Can you talk more about the mission behind Perfect Earth Project?
EVG: Our goal is to raise awareness about the harmful effects of conventional landscape practices and inspire landowners and landscapers to heal, not harm the land.
What’s the main message you aim to get across about health and the planet?
EVG: That we have gotten trapped in an idea of what a “good” landscape looks like which is causing a great deal of harm to the environment. To have a garden that looks like your living room, clipped and frozen in place, is the opposite of natural, and requires constant applications of chemicals and machinery to maintain. We, as individuals, can change that. We can turn our yards and parks into thriving habitats filled with birds, butterflies, and bees. It doesn’t cost more.
What does it mean to you to be making an impact on the Hamptons community and what do you find unique about this community?
EVG: The Hamptons community is like an influencer. Others follow what happens here. So making a difference here can influence a large number of people who aren’t here as well.
Can you talk more about some of the events you do? How do you choose which events to do?
EVG: We stopped doing big fundraisers as we couldn’t find a way to make them less wasteful. So much trash and time expended. Now we do small parties in my garden, which is much more effective in spreading our message. People can really see, hear, and feel what we are proposing.
What’s your favorite aspect of the Perfect Earth Project mission and community?
EVG: JOY
What do you like best about being located on the East End?
EVG: It is a great climate for gardening and there are so many amazing people here who represent a wide variety of pursuits, which provides me with lots of different opportunities to test our message.
Do you feel the East End impacts Perfect Earth Project in a way you might not otherwise see in another location?
EVG: As I mentioned, the East End provides a very high concentration of influential and talented people who, if I can convince them, will carry our message way out in the world.
What sort of resources do you offer?
EVG: Awareness and education. Our websites www.perfectearthproject.org and www.234birds.org provide all the basic information you, your landscaper, or your community needs to convert to nature based practices. We are putting more and more of it in Spanish as well. We are also working on creating a nationwide educational system for both clients and land care professionals to learn how to approach every piece of land, every project as an environmental restoration, and make it beautiful too.
What made you passionate about toxin-free lawns? Is there a story behind the beginning of Perfect Earth Project?
EVG: I started a non-profit in Panama planting native species in highly degraded pastureland without chemicals. It got me hooked on the idea that individuals have so much power to control the way our lands are managed. So, I started doing the same thing here. I had no idea when I started that so much chemical is applied to lawns and landscapes, how harmful to us and the planet they are, and how unnecessary they are. It has been an amazing learning experience, and very rewarding as more and more people are interested in making a difference. This is something very real they can do.
What do you believe has made you successful when it comes to spreading this message and awareness about the subject?
EVG: I like to talk. I love to garden.
Is there anything else you’d like the public and the Hamptons community to know about Perfect Earth Project?
EVG: Please do not believe anyone who says that nature-based, toxic-free landscaping costs more and doesn’t work. That is only true if it is not done right. Please sign up for our newsletters on our website and become an educated consumer. You will be notified as we make some big upgrades in the coming months, which will include free literature in English and Spanish.
To learn more about the mission of Perfect Earth Project and how to get involved, visit https://perfectearthproject.org.
