Bielins-Hock project helps mitigate future fl ood damage

Without intervention, some newly created conditions would negatively impact the function and overall sustainability of rivers and streams.

Completed channel

Bielins-Hock soil lifts were constructed using approved on-site material for the base layer, imported topsoil as the top layer and planting medium, biodegradable coconut fabric and coir mat. Seed mixes, containerized plants and stakes were incorporated as the lifts were constructed.

Site prep for soil lifts

Before installation of the soil lifts, crews placed buried rip rap protection set back from the channel, performed general site grading as well as channel re-alignment. There were times when channel re-alignment and the construction of soil lifts occurred simultaneously and progressed in a linear manner down the channel.

A few of the challenges that crews overcame during this sequence of earthwork activities included using coffer dams and pumps for dewatering and working around nesting birds and established habitats.

Communication as a success factor

To accomplish the task and goals of Bielins-Hock project, WSRI worked closely with the project engineer and plant ecologist throughout the construction process. As with any creek project, teaming and constant communication were an important component. Many fi eld decisions and adjustments had to be evaluated and executed on a daily basis.

Continuing maintenance

By fall 2017, seeding, planting and woody debris placement were completed. At that time, WSRI began a one-year maintenance period along the stream corridor, which included weed management and general plant care. In fall 2018, WSRI turned it over to Boulder County Open Space who will continue the maintenance and monitoring of the site. | CG

Sustainable Landscape Management launches

ssociated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) is launching the Sustainable Landscape Management A (SLM) initiative this year. It provides sustainable landscape management standards that protect and conserve water and reduce waste generation while maintaining the health of urban landscapes that consist of durable and mature plant material.

SLM is a certifi cate program in sustainable landscape management practices, but it is much more than that–its guidelines provide a blueprint that can be adopted by municipalities, water utility providers, property/ HOA management companies, landscape companies, landscape and garden education organizations and Green Industry associations to incorporate proven sustainable practices in the landscapes they maintain. SLM guidelines are user-friendly and relate to the day-to-day basic practices of sustainable landscape management.

Colorado’s SLM initiative was inspired by a similar program in Arizona. Their successful program has gained recognition from a wide variety of stakeholders including the Arizona Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), Arizona Landscape Architects Association, Arizona Nursery Association, the Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM), the City of Phoenix and many other Arizona municipalities.

The foundation of ALCC’s program is a manual that defi nes sustainable landscape maintenance practices that can be implemented by Colorado landscape companies, property management companies, HOAs and others. By earning the certifi cate in SLM, professional landscape technicians will use standardized guidelines that provide common ground in sustainable practices. The SLM certifi cate ensures that the same proven guidelines and principles are universally applied and demonstrates consistency in the fi eld of sustainable landscape management practices.

To obtain the SLM certifi cate, registrants will participate in a four-hour course followed by an exam. Two SLM courses will be offered in 2019 to current ALCC members organizations and their employees. This certifi cate will raise the level of professionalism among landscape management practitioners and increase consumer confi dence with companies/organizations whose employees are SLM Certifi ed.

This certifi cate will raise the level of professionalism among landscape management practitioners and increase consumer confi dence with companies/organizations whose employees are SLM Certifi ed.

Sustainable Landscape Management Initiative

• With the aridifi cation of Colorado and the

Western US, uniform Sustainable Landscape Management practices are needed immediately to conserve and protect water while maintaining healthy and sustainable urban landscapes. • The SLM initiative will create the standard for sustainable landscape management practices in Colorado that can be followed and adopted by all stakeholders concerned with or involved in landscape manage ment. • The SLM certifi cate will be made available to employees of ALCC member organizations and companies including cities/ municipalities, water utilities, parks and recreation districts and companies that maintain landscapes for HOAs, commercial properties and property management companies. • The SLM certifi cate will raise the level of professionalism among landscape management practitioners and increase consumer confi dence with companies/ organizations whose employees obtain the certifi cate. • The SLM certifi cate is the pathway to sustainable landscape management practices.

• The SLM certifi cate creates the standard everyone can follow: the right maintenance practices at the right time. • SLM is needed to educate professionals about water conservation measures that will result in increased drought protection and water system reliability. | CG