By Ann Stromgren

Being the owner of one of the most environmentally friendly and innovative landscaping companies in the industry would have been impressive enough. But for Brian Wade, owner of Wade Landscaping & Property Maintenance LLC, good deeds come in numbers. A sustainability pioneer committed to educating employees and the community about green issues, Wade is also a professional firefighter, and serves on the board of directors for the Annual Trans NH Bike Ride to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Wade has been a pioneer of sustainability in his field since his company's inception. Wade Landscaping uses organic hydroseeds and eschews the chemically harmful fertilizers used by most other landscaping companies. They compost clippings and recycle mulch. Their equipment uses non-toxic 2-cycle fuel, and all vehicles run on Simply Green BioFuels. The company also has an anti-idling policy which significantly reduces their carbon emissions. 

Wade's endeavors to educate about sustainability are commendable as well. He has contributed to local publications including Foster's Daily Democrat and the Dover Daily News to inform individuals about steps they can take to reduce their impact on the environment. Wade keeps employees up-to-date about the products the company uses and how employees can make greener choices at home.

Sustainability isn't just about environmentalism, though. Another important part of sustainability is the work of strengthening communities and striving toward a better quality of life for all. This isn't news to Wade, who, when he isn't working toward a healthier planet or saving people from fires, finds time to serve on the board of directors for the Annual Trans NH Bike Ride, an event that raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“We are a group of people who share a passion for helping those afflicted with muscular dystrophy. This ride was started over 25 years ago by a bunch of firefighters who cared and it has only grown since. This year we expect over 100 cyclists.” Wade says.

Indeed, the Annual Trans NH Bike Ride to benefit the MDA was started in 1988 by a group of firefighters from Salem, NH. The first ride was undertaken in August of that year by just eight cyclists. In the years since then, the ride has grown to include about 100 riders annually. The ride traverses the state from Canada to Massachusetts, a journey of 250 miles, over three days in June. All funds raised remain in New Hampshire and support those affected by muscular dystrophy. Last year, this amount topped $125,000.000.

This June's ride will be the 25th Annual Trans NH Bike Ride to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Among the businesses sponsoring this year's ride are Wade Landscaping, Papa Wheelies, and Red Hook, all of which are partners in the Green Alliance a green business union and green consumers’ co-op.

Actively strengthening the local community is one of the things that sets the nearly 100 Green Alliance sustainable entrepreneurs, apart from other businesses, so the connection with the Trans NH Bike Ride came naturally; Wade says, “Being such a tight nit group, without knowing it, many GA businesses are supporting the Ride.”

The Green Alliance works to connect green businesses and green-minded consumers in a relationship that is beneficial to both. The GA educates individuals about sustainability and promotes local green businesses, also providing discounts to these businesses so that people can align their consumer habits with their environmental values. In turn, the business directed to green companies through the GA allows them to thrive and continue doing good.

To learn more about Brian Wade’s MD Trans NH Bike ride or to contribute to the good cause please visit www.transnhbikeride.org.

Learn more about Wade Landscaping at www.wadelandscaping.com