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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
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January/February 2018
HOW DAVEY RESTORES THE OUTDOORS
For nearly two years, Jillian Keller, Davey Resource Group
restoration coordinator contracted to the PG&E Community
Pipeline Safety Initiative, has helped communities restore
their landscapes after vegetation removal work.
If trees or shrubs are located too close to PG&E pipelines,
they need to be removed to ensure the integrity of the
pipeline and to allow first responders quick access to the
lines in an emergency or natural disaster.
After the removal, Keller worked closely with property
managers to examine the current site and listen to their
hopes and goals for what it could soon become.
For this project at the Corte Madera Town Center in
California, the director of facilities, Tom Guilfoyle, wanted
to enhance the area's natural beauty using drought-tolerant,
hardy plants.
Keller examined the soil, determined the sunlight exposure
and pulled nearby plant samples to see what grew well in
the area. She selected blue fescue, deer grass and flowering
society garlic, which met the client's goals and matched the
existing elements. Guilfoyle and team were on board after
seeing the landscape rendering Keller provided.
Above left: Blue fescue and flowering society garlic add a pop of
color to the previously monotone space, which had to be relandscaped
to provide access to a PG&E gas pipeline.
Top right: How the space looked before the new plantings, including
a small tree that had to be removed as part of the project.
Above right: Jillian Keller is all smiles after a job well done.
"I always provide clients lots of updates and support.
For this project, I filled Tom in on every step of the way
and provided him with resources about the long-term
maintenance of the new landscape. He was very
appreciative," Keller said.
With Guilfoyle's approval, Keller ensured the area was
cleared of debris, the 750 plants were carefully planted in
the 15 feet by 850 feet space, a water-efficient drip irrigation
system was installed and the restoration work had minimal
impact on the center's shoppers.
"With a large project like this, we want to do everything we
can to make sure it's right. The delivery of a superior client
experience is of the utmost importance," Keller said. "By
meeting and even exceeding expectations, we strengthen
client satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy."
MY DAVEY