greenjayadmin

There has been incredible support lately for Pollinator Pathways (see our previous post on the efforts in Westchester and Fairfield counties). Simultaneously, the ecological landscaping and native plant movements have taken off in laudable efforts to improve our landscapes aesthetically and ecologically. What is often not discussed, however, is the pinnacle importance of organics.

Selecting native plants for a Pollinator Pathway gardens is a huge step in the right direction, but without an organic maintenance program, the garden is virtually useless. For our beloved pollinators, traditional chemical gardening is like a Grimm fairy tale: Hansel and Gretel invited into candy paradise, only to realize nothing is edible.

Powerful Reach of Pesticides, Herbicides & Fungicides

The effects of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides on delicate pollinators, from bees to butterflies to humming birds to ants and syrphid flies, have been well documented. A 2014 Study by the Harvard School of Public Health confirmed the findings of a 2012 study that linked two common neonicotinoids contributes to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in honeybees and native bees. CCD is phenomenon of bees losing their ability to return to their hive, eventually leading to their death. Major neonicintoids including imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran are now restricted to those with pesticide application licensees – make sure your landscaper isn’t using them!

Glyphosate is currently the most widely used active-ingredient in herbicides globally (you know it from brands like RoundUp, RangerPro, Monerey Remuda and more). Glyphosate targets an enzyme in weeds to kill them, but scientists recently found that bees contain the same enzyme in their gut. When bees are exposed to glyphosate, it weakens their immune system, making them more susceptible to death by pathogens.

Glyphosate has also contributed to Monarch decline–populations fell 90 percent in the last twenty years–through its over use in agricultural applications. Farmers spray RoundUp to kill weeds around their crops, and as a result, vegetative areas where Milkweed (the only Monarch caterpillar host plant) and other essential native plants are lost, consequently depleting our local Monarch and other beneficial insect populations.

Chlorothalonil, the most commonly used fungicide to control fungus on trees and other vegetation, was strongly linked by Cornell University to the development of the fatal nosema parasite in bees. The fungicide is thought to kill bees beneficial gut bacteria, making them more susceptible to the parasite.

Chemical Tick & Mosquito Control is a Myth

Permethrin is often sprayed for tick and mosquito control. Recent studies looking at the combined toxicity of fungicides and permethrin have found they increase mortality in bees and reduce their ability to regulate body temperature. Permethrin combined with neonicintoids is also found to increase bees vulnerability to nosema. Permetherin is also highly toxic to fish and cats.

Take Aways

To really have an impact rebuilding our beneficial insect populations and broader ecology, our land stewardship must be organic. Synthetic pesticides, fungicides and herbicides affect organisms broadly, especially when combined with other chemicals, since the cumulative effects are vastly under researched. If you need help designing and maintaining your organic pollinator garden, or any other landscape project, give us a call! (914-560-6570) We are NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals and follow the Healthy Yard Program on all of our properties.

—

Kathryn Saphire

VP of Landscape Development and Marketing

Green Jay Landscape Design

Earth Day was Monday (April 22nd), but we’re celebrating all week long, especially this weekend! You can catch us at several events throughout the weekend:

Saturday April 27: Green Ossining

10 AM – 5 PM

Louis Engel Waterfront Park

Ossining, NY

The largest Earth Day festival of it’s kind in Westchester! Enjoy live music, on-site food, and a the county’s local sustainable vendors. It’s sure to be a goo time. Look for the Green Jay tent I the vendor area! More info here.

Sunday April 28

Bedford 2020 Healthy Yards Earth Day

12 PM – 4 PM

Bedford Hills Train Station

All the Healthy Yards info you could need, in one place! Family-friendly activities include: building a bee hotel, a treasure hunt, live animals, and iNaturalist information. Plus you can talk to us about your dream ecological landscape!

Greenburgh Nature Center Earth Week Celebration

12 – 4 PM

Greenburgh Nature Center

99 Dromore Drive

Scarsdale, NY

Turn your Earth love productive at Greenburgh Nature Center’s Volunteer Earth Day event. Volunteer activities include prepping garden beds, trail maintenance, sustainability workshops including bee keeping and more! More Info here.

We hope to see you this weekend!

Green Jay Landscape Design Team

It is widely understood and accepted by informed environmental educators that children who spend time in nature, particularly in outdoor classroom settings benefit greatly in terms of social adaptability, emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing. My experience with Sheldrake Environmental Center, Greenburgh Nature Center, Rye Nature Center as well as many other outdoor education programs have confirmed that affirmation for myself. I grew up without the benefit of any such programs or direct exposure to nature. I was born and grew up in what was literally referred to as ‘the concrete jungle’.

I am living proof that deprived of the experience of nature, my childhood development was negatively impacted and greatly affected my life.

In the time I served as a volunteer for Connecticut Audubon’s Eagle Watch at the Shepaug Dam in Southbury , Connecticut that truth was confirmed as I saw a mirror image of myself in the young city kids we bused from Bridgeport for their first truly wild nature experience observing the eagles from a blind above the river.

We need the wild! Young and old, zoos are not enough! To reconnect to our own authentic nature we need environmental literacy programs and interpretive nature programs available to our children in their most precious formative years. Sheldrake and Rye Nature Center get it! Please help support them and be ‘A Voice for Nature’.

Jay Archer, President
914-560-6570
greenjaylandscapedesign.com

Recently I was invited to consult on the landscape management and grounds maintenance of a large condominium complex.

The progressive management company was aware of studies that show how continued use of leaf blowers could potentially elevate blood pressure in the elderly. Pretty interesting!

See:

https://www.alternet.org/2014/08/modern-pestilence-leaf-blowers-generate-infuriating-noise-toxic-gases-and-hazardous-dust/

https://www.salon.com/2017/10/08/noisy-but-that-is-not-all_partner/

https://www.kqed.org/news/11310630/more-pollution-than-cars-gas-powered-gardening-equipment-poses-the-next-air-quality-threat

https://www.seattleglobalist.com/2017/09/25/leaf-blowers-flagged-as-polluters-possible-health-threat/68802

In addition to the annoyance factor with the high decibel sound produced, the air quality was polluted by emissions. Leaf blowers’ two-stroke engines are even more polluting than cars, because gasoline and oil are combined in one system and emissions from both are released during use. These toxic emissions are especially harmful to children and the elderly.

In 2010, doctors at Mt Sinai Hospital wrote a letter detailing the health effects of leaf blowers, in support of a proposed leaf blower ban in Eastchester, NY.

Some key points from their letter:

“Inhalation of these small airborne particles can provoke asthma and other respiratory diseases in children and can increase the severity of chronic lung disease in our elderly.”
“Some of the other potential pollutants from leaf blowers and internal combustion power tools are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and, even, ozone formed from some of these other pollutants. Even lower level exposures have been associated with respiratory and central nervous system effects.”
“Manufacturer estimates of noise levels from leaf blowers for bystanders 50 feet away are about 70 dB and, of course, the noise is louder if residents are closer. The World Health Organization recommends general daytime outdoor noise levels of 55 dB or less. Noise may affect quality of life by impairing communication, reducing accuracy of complex tasks, and increasing stress.”

The extreme speed of air produced by leaf blowers also makes them a less than ideal maintenance tool. In the process of blowing lawn clippings or leaves, you are also inevitably blowing away topsoil, disrupting microbiology, and spreading particulates and any toxic applications applied in traditional landscaping.

There is a solution to each and every problem we face.

In this case, switching to an ecological maintenance program, using mulching mowers and electric backpack blowers was a start.

Even better, reducing the need to continue the practice of blowing helps. This requires training existing grounds crews or starting over with a new provider of services.

Reducing lawn care by better landscape design—including reducing lawn area, establishing no-mow areas, expanding perennial beds, etc—alters cultural practices for better conditions in the day to day experience of homeowners.

Planting fragrant herbs/plants for healing improves air quality and increases the health benefit for all concerned. Establishing native plants and wildflowers to attract birds, bees and butterflies not only increases biodiversity but also generates calm and interest/investment in the property. This promotes an awareness and appreciation of nature and our connectedness.

By building models of ecologically sustainable landscapes we see, time and time again, the most life-affirming healthful benefits for ourselves, our clients and our communities.

—

Jay Archer

President, Landscape Ecologist

914-560-6570

All landscapes are considered ‘disturbed’ compared to a natural environment. Some more than others.

The challenge is to reverse the eutrophication process in this man-made Earth pond with a half-moon dam. This shallow, half-acre pond was constructed in the mid-19th century by damming the outlet with a poured concrete wall and spillway which discharged into a brook which was buried and piped during early stages of development of housing lots.

We assume that the original hydrology and storm water fed and recharged the pond from surface sheet flow primarily. Subsequent development drained the surface and ground water bypassing the envelope of the pond on both sides of the property.

Over time the concrete became cracked and porous and the pond level dropped while correspondingly silt and vegetation choked the pond. The pond is surrounded on the back and both sides by large, aggressive bamboo, which provided some shade but contributed a tremendous amount of unwanted organic debris into the aquatic zone. Poor land-use practices, including mowing and fertilizing to the water’s edge contributed to the nutrient loading as well as the asphalt roadway which was uphill, draining towards the pond.

Two main issues were the low water level due to leakage at the outflow, and lack of oxygen, stagnation coupled with the nutrient loading, created an ideal environment for duck weed. Without a proper inflow and outflow, mosquito breeding was a possible public health hazard and the pond was unattractive and uninviting.

This landscape was ecologically poor, lacked ecosystem service function, or aesthetic appeal. First step to correct, address, or improve any of these issues, we develop a plan with specifications including reinforcement of the concrete dam with an impervious clay ramp within the pond, bottom aeration provided by diffusers, and extensive wetland biofiltration planting extending form the terrestrial to establishing a littoral shelf and marginal bog filter to naturally improve water quality.

Just before work was commenced on the project, the landscaper employed by the client cut the bamboo stalks/shoots down to 6” above ground, more critically important is the cut was made at an angle, thus weaponizing and creating a serious liability and threat.

Part of the project involved de-watering and hand-dredging significant amounts of organic material, mainly brush, bamboo, trees, vegetation etc. This is necessary to install the aeration disks, and add biologicals (MuckAway) to increase the dissolved oxygen and healthy bacteria to reduce the sludge and sedimentation as much as possible.

While the de-watering process was performed with diesel pumps discharging to a containment area constructed of geotextile fabric, hay bales and fence post, cracks were repaired on both sides of the now exposed concrete dam to limit leakage.

Wetland systems are the lifeblood of our landscape and freshwater is a precious natural resource not unlike the complicated systems which make up the human body, a landscape environment should be treated holistically in terms of design, development and land use management/maintenance practices.

We suggest identifying the flow paths and issues critically important to the client while being a sensitive and responsible steward of the ecology of the water shed for the greater community.

—

Jay Archer

Landscape Ecologist, President

914-560-6570

Just one week into spring and there is already a noticeable buzz in our communities about an exciting initiative: creating Pollinator Pathways through Fairfield and Westchester counties. Many thanks to the organizers in each town who put together a staggering number of informative events across many towns (see the upcoming events calendar!!).

As an ecological landscape service, we thoroughly applaud and support this effort. We have installed hundreds of organic pollinator gardens, meadows, and Certified National Wildlife Habitats on behalf of our clients, but this initiative goes further.

[Above: Native Bee on Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’.]

A Pollinator Pathway is designed to create a corridor for pollinators to link larger habitats together. These connected, streamlined habitats mitigate the current habitat fragmentation from urban and suburban development. With a focus on planting known nectar/pollen sources for adults AND host plants for larvae, the initiative increases plant biodiversity, reclaiming ubiquitous lawns for a more vibrant array of flora (and fauna!).

[Above: Monarch Butterfly on New York Ironweed]

In regards to habitat restoration, the sum is greater than its parts. Creating Pollinator Pathways mapped to include households with pollinator gardens is an important ecosystem-level expansion of the vision; more than any of our individual efforts could achieve. Westchester and Fairfield counties represent important flyways. To link preserved areas of Pound Ridge, Wilton, and Ridgefield with coastal areas of Westport, Darien and Rye, for example, is a huge improvement from current patchwork preservation efforts.

Pollinator Pathways are an exciting unifying force of homeowners, non-profits, municipalities and private sector businesses toward a like-minded goal of counteracting biodiversity loss, particularly of pollinators and native plants.

Why do we need Pollinator Pathways?

If you’ve been following the news (or our social media) you may have noticed the reports that insect populations are declining. The Insect Apocalypse Article in NY Times Magazine is a must read. Some startling summaries:

“The [2016] German study found that, measured simply by weight, the overall abundance of flying insects in German nature reserves had decreased by 75 percent over just 27 years. If you looked at midsummer population peaks, the drop was 82 percent.”

Habitat loss and fragmentation from climate change and development, plus an increase in the use of landscape pesticides are thought to be leading factors in the ‘insect apocalypse.’ Two large studies in Canada and Europe published in 2017 confirmed that neonicotinoids, found in many pesticides, fungicides and herbicides contribute to colony collapse in bees. Neonicotinoids were also found to persist in the environment long after the growing season and affect uptake from plants outside of the sprayed area.

[Above: Native Bee on New England Aster]

Joseph Wilson, of Utah State University, reported to The Atlantic that “Habitat connectivity at that scale [of Pollinator Pathways] could help these smaller bees disperse more efficiently, and contribute to a more diverse and healthy community of species,”

Why You Should Care About Bugs

Insects are the foundation of the food chain, and they require specific food sources as larvae and adults. Most native pollinator species have evolved alongside native plants for habitat and food sources.

[Above: Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar on Baptisia australis (right next to the Asclepias tuberosa!)]

Insect and animal pollinators play key roles in the ecosystem; they are responsible for 90% of plant pollination, and 30% of agricultural production! Insects also are a main food source for birds, demanding staggering quantities. As entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy writes in Bringing Nature Home, it takes an amazing 6,000 – 9,000 caterpillars to raise one clutch of chickadees! (Each chick eats approximately 350 – 570 caterpillars PER DAY!). We must protect these foundational species before we see dire ecosystem consequences.

What About Organics?

Of course, planting the right plants has little effect if they are covered in synthetic pesticides! Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post on the Truth About Pollinator Pathways and Organics! And follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more photos & videos of pollinator friends in our gardens! @GreenJayLandscaping

Love the idea of the Pollinator Pathway? We can help you turn your yard or property into an organic pollinator habitat. Contact us for landscape design and installation services: (914)-560-6570.

—

Kathryn Saphire

VP of Landscape Development & Marketing

914-560-6570

greenjayadmin

Footer