Memorial Park Conservancy
Business Plan for the BioCycle and Native Plant Grow Out Programs Anthony Todd Applied Research Intern Memorial Park Conservancy
Business Plan Overview • Goals • Deliverables • Tasks
• • • • •
Costs Schedules Deadlines SWOT Analysis Future Plans
BioCycle Program Background • Memorial Park experienced a loss of over 30,000 trees following Hurricane Ike and the drought of 2011-2012 • About 10,000 cubic yards of tree material was processed and stockpiled for decomposition • In 2014, the pile of decomposing material combusted due to heat generation, and was then spread out over a 1.7 acre area • Large tree material has continued to be stockpiled in that area since the fire
BioCycle Program Goals & Benefits • GOAL: Utilize endemic biology to eliminate the park’s need to purchase compost and mulch material from external sources. • Ecological benefits: Native input for ecological restoration activities in the park
• Financial benefits: Reduce the need to buy compost from external sources for future restoration projects • Social benefits: Environmental education and interpretation opportunities on the value of reusing waste material to save landfill space and to restore landscapes after natural disasters
BioCycle Program Cost Benefit Analysis • Highest costs are initial expenses for material processing • Potential for cost efficiencies from BioCycle Program activities estimated at $368,000 over the next five years QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
TOTAL
$225,480.00
$-
$-
$-
$374,280.00
$-
$-
$60,000.00
$60,000.00
$60,000.00
$180,000.00
$148,800.00
$225,480.00
$60,000.00
$60,000.00
$60,000.00
$554,280.00
NONRECURRING
$112,739.00
$-
$-
$-
$-
$112,739.00
RECURRING
$2,600.00
$17,600.00
$17,600.00
$17,600.00
$17,600.00
$73,000.00
TOTAL COSTS
$115,339.00
$17,600.00
$17,600.00
$17,600.00
$17,600.00
$185,739.00
NET BENEFIT OR COST
$33,461.00
$207,880.00
$42,400.00
$42,400.00
$42,400.00
$368,541.00
BENEFITS COST SAVINGS $148,800.00 COST AVOIDANCE TOTAL BENEFITS COSTS
Native Plant Grow Out Program Background • MPC requires a dependable supply of native plants for the Eastern Glades and future park projects • Non-natives historically used for such projects because of fast growth rates and aesthetics • The Memorial Park Master Plan aims to use native plants for restoration and revegetation projects
Native Plant Grow Out Program Goals & Benefits • GOAL: Increase the biological diversity of the park through the propagation of native plants for restoration and revegetation projects • Develop the program as a regional native plant cooperative through partnership with other local nonprofits and environmental groups • Ecological benefits: Increased plant and wildlife diversity in the park; Increased water retention • Financial benefits: Eliminate need to purchase plants from external sources; reduced native plant maintenance • Social benefits: Educational opportunities for volunteers, recreational value due to native species
Native Plant Grow Out Program Cost Benefit Analysis • Capital costs are high in first year to prepare the greenhouse, lath house, and walk-in cooler for operations • Potential cost savings of over $500,000 over the next five years QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
TOTAL
$18,144.00
$135,600.00
$211,200.00
$211,200.00
$211,200.00
$787,344.00
$18,144.00
$135,600.00
$211,200.00
$211,200.00
$211,200.00
$787,344.00
NONRECURRING
$117,738.14
$-
$-
$-
$-
$117,738.14
RECURRING
$8,150.00
$31,100.00
$31,100.00
$31,100.00
$31,100.00
$132,550.00
TOTAL COSTS
$125,888.14
$31,100.00
$31,100.00
$31,100.00
$31,100.00
$250,288.14
$(107,744.14) $104,500.00
$180,100.00
$180,100.00
$180,100.00
$537,055.86
BENEFITS COST AVOIDANCE TOTAL BENEFITS COSTS
NET BENEFIT OR COST
Conclusions • Although both programs have high initial costs in the first year of implementation, they have the potential to provide a total of over $900,000 in cost avoidance over five years • Ecological and social benefits add increased value to both programs • Long-term programs designed to “preserve, restore, and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow”