Business Forum Climbers Run Preserve Jim MacKenzie, President - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Chesapeake 2016 Business Forum Climbers Run Preserve Jim MacKenzie, President Octoraro Native Plant Nursery

Environmental Stewardship Good for Business • Water Quantity • Water Quality • Storm Water Mngt • Land Management • Raw Products • Waste Stream • Carbon Footprint • Energy Use • Safety / Efficiency

Water Sources for Irrigation Both Surface water & Ground water

Drip irrigation • 75-80% less water use than overhead irrigation • Water goes directly to the roots of the plants • Reduces runoff • Requires good filtration – emitters get easily blocked • Requires on-going maintenance • Bunny’s love the tubing

Surface Water Filtration • Sand filters are the best • Removes fine sediment that can clog irrigation emitters • Automatic back flushing systems keeps filters clean

Water Quality Passive Water Quality Improvement Facility Created Wetlands – treatment of runoff • Water runoff is directed into created wetlands (from two nurseries and 150 ac ag field treated with biosolids) • Nutrients taken up by wetland plants • Water “treated” prior to return to Octoraro Creek

Stormwater Management • Manage and minimize stormwater damage to nursery property • Direct to where runoff can be infiltrated and/or treated • Floodplain management

Land Management Maintenance - Invasive Plants & Floodplain Management • Invasive Plant Management – techniques can include manual or machine removal, herbicides, biological controls • Primary problem plants, Japanese hops, mile-a- minute, Multiflora rose in the floodplain

Soil (less) Media Ingredients for growing plant • Pine fines / shredded bark mixes – by- product of forestry industry • Reduce peat use / percentage • Increase use of composts (leaf, animal waste, hybrid) – chemistry can be challenge • Course sand

Waste Stream • Reuse / Recycle our plastic pots • Recycle plastic poly cover to composite lumber industry • Recycle nursery / office waste

Reduce Carbon Foot Print – Energy Use • Amish work force - pick up and drive home our work force in one vehicle • Electric vehicles / utility carts • New Office – natural light, increase insulation values (working on solar options)

Safety & Efficiency – Work Areas • All-weather • Cleanliness • Safety – body mechanics • Efficiency – reduce handling • Work flow study • Product flow in the nursery