The image of the sunflower has always been equated with happiness.
For kids, its popularity is the botanical answer to a dinosaur (Hammond 2016) and in this case Mammoth Sunflowers with their prehistoric giant leaves evoke the image quite easily.
In a quiet Southeast Side neighborhood of Chicago, just across from the Indiana border, the sunflower has become the focal point of a project that began as a source of delight for all of the children walking to and from school. After seeing the effect these Mammoth flowers have had on their own property Kathy Fitzgerald and Rita Alvarez began to research and discover that they are an amazing way to combat the industrial pollution discharged by the furnaces, refineries and the effects of PETCOKE, a residual of refining oil from industry along the lakeshore just a few miles from their home.
Rita and Kathy have been fighting for change in their city,state and country all of their adult lives hoping that their actions will positively impact thousands of people. Although, they have many volunteer, work and social activities their involvement in this particular project has become a true passion..
Our missionhttp://www.sunflowerplanet.com/about-us/: to provide beauty and restoration throughout communities in the United States via education and planting of environmentally sound plants (Mammoth Sunflowers) providing phytoremediation as well as stimulation of the economy by creating re-purposed products.
Our vision: to see mammoth sunflowers planted throughout the country, annually; additionally, any unused urban property as mammoth sunflower fields, which will provide stimulation of the bee population as well as potential commerce and tranquility to neighborhoods.
Helping to protect the environment
Phytoremediation may be referred to as variously “phytorestoration”, “phytostabilization”, “agronomic stabilization” etc. The goal of soil focused phytoremediation often has to do with the presence of heavy metals such as nickel (Ni) lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al) cadmium (Cd) and the metalloid arsenic (As) (McIntyre, 2003). The sources of these toxins include metal working, coal combustion, sewage sludge, pesticides, and fertilizers. Practitioners of phytoremediation have recently also turned to dealing with organic solvents such as Trichloroethylene, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and various products of war.
While anything green contributes to phytoremediation it stands to reason that the smallest and lesser amount of planted greenery will contribute less in the process. The demise of the rain forest are the most pointed to in the media regarding climate change, air control etc. but in actuality, the proliferation of man and his inventions are the worst offenders and contributors to their own demise. Urban settings with their sprawling concrete buildings, streets and waterways combined with factories of every sort are contributing to our poor health, especially breathing complications. Rural areas are not without blame in the cycle of the environment, many farmers are forced to plant genetically modified organisms, seeds (GMO). While these seeds have a type of pesticide within them, that does not mean that pesticides are not sprayed as well. Additionally, there are large populations and highways throughout the country whose population continues to grow, leaving less area for greenspace.
Sunflowers and in this case, Organic Mammoth Sunflower plants are one of the best, easiest and pleasure deriving plants that will provide phytoremediation. Since pesticides have been known to create multiple issues in our environment anything which may be ingested not only by us humans, but by wildlife has made us realize that it is important to plant as many seeds that are organic as possible.