Limitless Vistas Prepares for Planters Groves Project in New Orleans

Online, February 25, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Limitless Vistas, Inc., has been selected by The Corps Network to work with Planters, the Kraft Foods-owned peanut company in New Orleans, Louisiana on the Planters Groves Project. The Planters Groves Project is an initiative with The Corps Network and Planters to transform neglected urban land into natural spaces called Planters Groves. The first Planters Groves in 2011 will be developed in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York City.

The natural spaces are more than community gardens; they will include horticultural elements, rain water installations and other design elements, including reuse of salvage/reclaimed materials, art work, etc. Ken Smith, renowned landscape architect, is being tapped to design the prototype space, which will then be tailored to each city based on geographic and climatic considerations.

Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LVI) will be instrumental in building out the design and facilitating outreach to local partners, city official, community and neighborhood associations and volunteers. LVI's mission is to help disadvantaged young people enhance their education and learn the necessary skills to become gainfully employed and help build a more hopeful future for themselves, their families and their communities.

One key way LVI achieves its mission is by educating and training young people through the use of Community Environmental Service Learning Projects. "With the help of our partners, we teach our participants to give back to their community as they develop a sense of pride and become stewards of their communities and the larger environment - all while developing soft skills and earning technical credentials", said Patrick A. Barnes, President of BFA Environmental Consultants and founder of Limitless Vistas, Inc., "- which is a perfect match for the Planters Groves Project."

Naturally, LVI is very excited about the New Orleans Planters Groves Project. "We are particularly enthusiastic because, this project will be located in the predominantly African-American Central City area", says Executive Director Matilda Tennessee. This is a location of desperate need that LVI is already dedicated to serve with an EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant. In the past 2 years, LVI has trained over 200 participants to function as entry level technicians in an environmental or related field. The Planters Groves Project will give Limitless Vistas, Inc. an opportunity to further expand its service outreach and continue to make a positive impact in the community.

About Limitless Vistas, Inc.:
Limitless Vistas, Inc. (LVI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to creating opportunity for disconnected youth. It was founded in 2006 by Patrick Barnes, President of BFA Environmental Consultants, with the premise that the greatest opportunity coincides with the greatest need. LVI realizes that the infrastructure repair and environmental restoration needs are greatest in poor communities, and think that the most effected individuals should have a viable opportunity to participate in the on-going the Gulf Coast Restoration effort and establish careers in industries with a proven present and future marketability. Through focused, high skills job training, LVI has provided pathways to successful careers for youth in the environmental and construction industries through participation in several large, federal grant programs, building strong community consensus and participation.

Contact:
Patrick A. Barnes, P.G.
President/CEO, BFA Environmental, Inc.
pbarnes [at] bfaenvironmental.com
http://www.bfaenvironmental.com
407-353-4200

Matilda Tennessee, Executive Director,
Limitless Vistas, Inc.
1215 Prytania Street, Suite 370
New Orleans, LA 70130
matennessee [at] bellsouth.net
http://www.limitlessvistas.org
504-529-4301

About The Corps Network:
Established in 1985, The Corps Network is the voice of the nation's 150 Service and Conservation Corps. Currently operating in 48 states and the District of Columbia, The Corps Network enrolls more than 30,000 young men and women annually in service in addition to mobilizing approximately 227,000 community volunteers each year.

About Planters:
Planters, America's leading snack nut brand, has a long history of pioneering industry firsts. This inventiveness is delivered through a diverse portfolio of nutritious and delicious plant-based snacks such as peanuts, cashews, almonds and other nuts. Planters NUTrition offers a distinctive line of nut mixes that focus on specific nutritional needs. Planters almonds and pistachios are roasted with real herbs and spices, delivering extraordinary flavor. Planters Trail Mix blends roasted nuts, delicious fruit and other wholesome ingredients to help fuel an active lifestyle.