13
Water
Water management is another important aspect of
responsible stewardship. We started to track our water
consumption in order to establish management goals
going forward. In addition, we help our clients improve
their watering practices by educating them about
proper planting locations and promoting less frequent,
but longer, irrigation periods to encourage higher
quality tree and turf roots.
We promote native landscapes in order to reduce
water use. For example, at the Sanctuary of Bull Valley
in Woodstock, Illinois, Davey Resource Group unites
the principles of traditional and environmental design
through burning and invasive species control for
meadows, oak hickory savannas, prairies and wetlands.
Davey Resource Group hosts volunteer days and
educational seminars for the sanctuary's residents
and neighbors. In addition, Davey Resource Group
created a master plan in Barrington Hills, Illinois for
transforming client Dr. Paul Getz's landscaping from
a conventional design to a natural refuge with natural
landscapes and restored wetlands. Davey was a
presenting sponsor at the Midwest Ecological
Landscape Alliance Conference, "Navigating Change,"
where we discussed the challenges of changing
behaviors and culture and how we can encourage
sustainable landscaping.
We will continue to investigate how vegetation impacts
water flow and quality in urban areas, and how our
services can impact and improve water conservation.
Chemical Use
In landscape management, we recognize that the
safe use of pesticides or alternatives is important to
ensure the highest degree of safety for all employees,
the general public and the environment. We believe
that properly regulated and thoughtfully used pesticide
products continue to provide benefits to public
health, plants, animals and the environment, which
far outweigh both real and perceived risks. We
work to reduce chemical pesticide use through the
following initiatives:
Research of pesticide management practices,
materials and alternatives to traditional pesticides.
Operational policies and procedures to ensure the
safe storage, handling, transportation, application
and disposal of all pesticides, including the use of
closed loading systems and the use of returnable,
recyclable or refillable containers whenever possible.
Educational information regarding Davey pesticide
programs and procedures for employees, clients
and the public.
Programs to aggressively monitor progress
toward the achievement of defined objectives.
Our environmental programs office produces regular
environmental performance audit reports to the vice
president of the Davey Institute who, in turn, provides
the information to Davey executive management.
The environmental programs office reviews its policy
on an annual basis in light of new technological
advances, environmental regulation, new management
systems or action plans.
WE EDUCATE CLIENTS ON
SUSTAINABLE
WATERING PRACTICES
TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LANDSCAPES,
DEEPER ROOT GROWTH
AND DROUGHT RECOVERY
