The idea for the Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association came from Chicago area landscaper Connie Cunningham. In 2002, she enlisted WGN Radio's Mike Nowak to help create an organization loosely based on the east coast's Ecological Landscaping Association. The result was MELA, a not-for-profit organization which promotes environmentally responsible landscaping and horticultural practices to professionals and the public. Our mission is to serve as an educational and scientific resource for the horticultural industry. We pursue these goals through education, advocacy and networking.