May 26, 2009—Innovative Public/Private Partnership Helps Landscaping Services Companies Go 'Green'

PORTLAND, Ore.—May 26, 2009—When Sonja Haugen purchased the 75 by 100-foot lot next to her home, it was covered in blackberries and other invasive species and had 17 dead trees on it. She wanted to create a space that she could enjoy while maintaining a natural look and providing habitat for butterflies and birds.

Her design needs for the space were clear. She wanted to use only organic methods to eradicate invasive species and improve soil fertility; she wanted a natural-looking design that would attract butterflies and provide habitat for birds; she wanted a landscape that would require very little water once established; and she wanted to avoid unnecessary erosion during construction.

To meet these goals, Ms. Haugen hired Winterbloom, an EcoBiz certified landscaper  based in Portland. Winterbloom created a plan with Sonja, put in pathways, established plantings, and enlarged her deck.  The company used only organic soil amendments and used native plants and non-native plants that require little water. The result was another outstanding, 'eco-friendly' landscaping project by an Oregon-based EcoBiz landscaper.

"We seek to create a personalized and private paradise for each of our clients while at the same time being sensitive to the Earth. We’re proud to be the first full-service landscape company in the Portland area to achieve EcoBiz certification and we’re pleased to see the program growing." said Winterbloom founder Phil Thornburg.

The EcoBiz (short for Eco-Logical Business) certification program is the result of a partnership of local public agencies that work to recognize and salute landscape professionals who take actions to enhance and protect the environment. The public agencies teamed up with private organizations including the Oregon Environmental Council to implement the program. To be certified as Eco-Logical Businesses, landscaping firms must prove that their actions minimize resource use, assure proper storage and use of materials, and minimize or reuse wastes.

With the growing need to limit environmental impacts and counter the effects of global warming, the EcoBiz program provides an important resource for homeowners and businesses that want to manage their landscapes responsibly. Certified landscapers have demonstrated training and experience in using more sustainable practices, and they must meet a rigorous set of green standards.

Landscape practices can benefit the environment, but they can also do a great deal of harm. Bare soils can cause erosion that clouds streams and smothers salmon spawning beds, runoff can carry pesticides and fertilizers into local streams harming fish and wildlife, and gas-powered lawn mowers emit high levels of greenhouse gases and smog-causing air pollution. The EcoBiz Program works to reduce ground, air and water pollution by promoting business recycling, hazardous waste elimination, proper equipment washing, and water and energy conservation.

The landscape program builds on the success of the automotive EcoBiz program launched in Oregon more than ten years ago. There are now 12 landscaping firms that are EcoBiz certified. The City of Bend Parks and Recreation District is also certified.

The Pollution Prevention Outreach Team, creators of the EcoBiz program, is comprised of the following public agencies:

• The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
• The cities of Gresham, Portland and Troutdale
• Clean Water Services
• Washington and Clackamas counties
• Metro

Current certified EcoBiz landscaping businesses in Oregon:

FULL SERVICE FIRMS
Baseline Landscapes
17458 NW Springville Rd, suite F-10
Portland, OR 97229
503-998-1155

Clean Air Lawn Care
4031 NE 40th
Portland, OR 97212
503-679-7418

DeSantis Landscapes, Inc.
7907 State Street
Salem, OR 97317
503-364-8376
1-800-644-7345

Pacific Landscape Management
21555 NW Amberwood Drive
Hillsboro, OR 97124
503-648-3900

Landscape East & West
8850 SE 76th Dr
Portland, OR 97206
503-256-5302
Fax 503-297-6993

Winterbloom, Inc.
14780 SW 98th Ave
Tigard, OR 97224
503-598-0219

DESIGN FIRMS
River City Gardens
3605 SW Canby St
Portland, OR 97219
503-293-6114

Donna Giguere Landscape Design
3651 SE Bybee Blvd.
Portland, OR 97202
503-777-1177

Eco-Logic Permaculture & Landscape Design
3608 SE 15th Avenue
Portland, OR 97202

Circadian Consulting and Design LLC
18376 S Upper Highland Road
Beavercreek, OR 97004
503-632-1191

INSTALLATION SERVICES
Drake's 7 Dees
16519 SE Stark Street
Portland, OR 97233
503-256-2223

SPECIALTY SERVICES
Willamette Organics
PO Box 12643
Salem, OR 97309
503-585-9320

PUBLIC AGENCIES
Bend Parks and Recreation District
1675 SW Simpson Ave
Bend, OR 97702
541-388-5435

For more information about the Landscape EcoBiz Program, visit http://www.ecobiz.org or contact Teresa Huntsinger at the Oregon Environmental Council, 503-222-1963 ext. 112 / teresah@oeconline.org.

About the Oregon Environmental Council
The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon – clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For 40 years we’ve been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids from toxics, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and ensuring healthy food and local farms. Find out more at www.oecoline.org.