Go GREEN with Greenleaf! At Greenleaf, we are committed to the environment! We are proud to offer Organic products and services to our customers, such as Organic Fertilizer and Organic Insect Oil. We offer paperless online bill pay and our office recycles its paper, plastic, and aluminum waste. We buy our office supplies locally whenever possible, cutting down on fuel emission of long-distance delivery trucks and helping promote and sustain our local economy! We are also proud to offer Integrated Pest Management (IPM) spray services to our customers. IPM is a more environmentally friendly approach to insect and weed control and helps maintain plant health . Click here to learn more about IPM As a thank you to our “Green” customers, we would like to send you an attractive Recycled Greenleaf Pen when you sign up for any of our Green Services: any Organic Service, Systemic Soil Drench, Soil Sample Test, Rain Sensor Installation, or Irrigation Monitor Program. It’s just one of the ways we like to share our appreciation of our customers and their commitment to the environment – please ask about it when you sign up!
Green Services
- Naturally builds up the soil by stimulating microbes that fight off disease
and improves the overall health and structure of your soil - Contains no unnecessary or unwanted salts and chemicals like regular
fertilizer - Organic fertilizer releases slower and can last longer than regular
fertilizer
Highly effective in controlling dormant insects and their eggs.
It’s environmentally friendly too! No Pesticides!
- Efficient – yearlong insect protection
- Environmentally Friendly – targets only harmful insects, leaving the
ecosystem intact - Pocket Book Friendly – only one application is necessary
- Save Money: Whether you pay for city water or spend electricity running a
pump, the money you save over time will more than pay for the rain sensor! - Prolonging the Life of Your Irrigation System: A rain sensor can reduce wear
to your system because it runs only when necessary. - Reducing Nutrient Loss & Disease Damage: Over-watering causes nutrients
to wash away from turf, requiring increased applications of fertilizer. It also
retards deep root growth and increases lawn susceptibility to disease. In fact,
over-watering has been called the most common cause of disease in turf. - Conserving Municipal Water: By preventing unnecessary irrigation after rain
events, rain sensors help ensure water availability for emergencies, such as
firefighting, especially during the peak summer months.
- For problems with:
- Nutrient deficiencies in plants
- Poor plant growth and response from applied fertilizers
- Poor quality foliage
- Managing manure or compost applications
- Benefits of soil sample testing include:
- Determines nutrient levels in the soil
- Determines pH levels (lime needs)
- Provides a decision making tool to determine what nutrients to apply, how
much, and when
- Potential for higher quality turf, trees, and plants
- We practice IPM which is a more environment friendly approach to insect and
weed control and plant health. - More site visits insure early detection of pest problems –
early detection means fewer applications are needed and fewer products are used.
As a result, predatory insects survive and the ecosystem remains balanced
- High levels of phosphorous in soil can transfer to water runoff which is
dangerous to our local lakes and streams – phosphate-free fertilizer helps
prevent this. - Phosphorous creates poor water quality that leads to algae blooms, which in
turn can be toxic to aquatic life such as fish, frogs, etc. Phosphate-free
fertilizer is a responsible step to eliminating unnecessary phosphate deposits
into the environment.
- We recycle wood from pruning and tree services
- We reuse wood chips as recycled bark for shrub beds
- We recycle yard waste from yard clean-ups and renovations
- We recycle and/or reuse grass clippings for compost
- Our office recycles paper, ink, bottles, glasses, batteries, and cans; we reuse the backside of paper for note-taking before we recycle it
- Increasing the use of native plants in landscape design reduces the risk from
invasive species and helps bolster the wild native plant populations keeping our ecosystem balanced! - Some common plants that are native to the Northwest are: Douglas Fir, Quaking
Aspen, Vine Maple, Red Twig Dogwood, Oregon Grape, Spirea, Goldenrod, and many
more!
- A sustainable practice that helps maintain the health of trees, adding to
their life span and avoiding unnecessary and costly replacement of trees and
shrubs - Eliminates the unnecessary waste and debris caused by shearing; natural
pruning is selectively pruning only what needs to be pruned for the health of the
plant
- Detect potential problems that help you prevent water waste, water runoff,
& sprinkler damage - Adjust clocks for seasonal irrigation needs; saving you more water overall
- The less water you use, the more money you save!
- Efficient water usage preserves natural resources and promotes the
sustainability of our local water source
Green Organizations
The EnviroStars Program was created in King County, Washington in 1995, as a service of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. It has since been adopted across the region in Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Spokane, and Whatcom Counties.
The mission of EnviroStars is to provide assistance and incentives for smaller businesses to reduce hazardous materials and waste, in order to protect public health, municipal systems, and the environment.
EnviroStars is an objective third party certification you can trust
- Local government consultants do on-site business assessments
- Potential EnviroStars are reviewed by WA Department of Ecology
- An on-going renewal process assures standards are maintained over time
The EnviroStars logo gives you an easy way to find and support environmentally responsible businesses in your community
- Reinforcing safer, healthier business practices
- Creating economic value for local business
- Aligning lifestyle, work and purchasing choices with your values
Who we are and what we do: The EnviroStars Cooperative (Coop)
- We are a consortium of government agencies and partnership organizations which have been licensed to provide EnviroStars certification (link to contact page)
- We are business technical assistance consultants, leveraging resources and sharing expertise
- We are creating consistent expectations and green guidance for businesses
Greenleaf Landscaping has received a 5-Star Certification with EnviroStars – their highest rating! We have been members since 2015.
If you would like to learn more, please visit: http://www.envirostars.org/index.aspx
What is Forest Spokane?
The Forest Spokane Initiative is an ambitious plan to mitigate stormwater by implementing green infrastructure, namely planting trees, vegetation and remove impervious surfaces. Green infrastructure is an approach to water management that protects, restores, or mimics the natural environment. Green infrastructure is effective, economical, and enhances community safety and quality of life.
The Initiative is focusing its efforts by working with three primary groups:
- City Departments – Integrate and maximize tree planting efforts through on-going programs and projects.
- Community Partners – Seek community partners who have likeminded goals and objectives.
- Neighborhoods – Implement programs and projects by working directly with Neighborhood Council’s and residents.
Programs & Project Integration:
- Neighborhood Greening Grants – Grant funding available to local neighborhoods to plant trees and perennial vegetation.
- 2014 Neighborhood Greening Grant Projects (PDF 1.0 MB)
- Residential Tree Program – Offer 2,000 free trees to residents through two events.
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Assist neighborhoods in utilizing funding that they have designated to street trees.
- Capital Improvement Projects – Integrate and maximize efforts to plant tree and other perennial vegetation across the city. Projects include:
- Sidewalk improvements
- Street alignment, resurfacing…etc.
- Park Improvements
- Combined Sewer Overflow Sites
- Trails
- Native Tree Seedling Plantings – work with local community partners to identify and plant native tree seedlings through community volunteer events.
Greenleaf is has committed to donating 300 mature trees as a part of this program. To see our flyer, click here: GL Forest Spokane Details
To learn more about this program, please visit: https://my.spokanecity.org/news/stories/2015/03/18/forest-spokane-is-giving-away-2000-trees/
Because of our commitment to the environment, Greenleaf Landscaping has been recognized for its Environmental Stewardship. We have been distinguished for our Environmental Landscape Maintenance by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (W.A.L.P) FOURTEEN TIMES since 2008! (see awards below)
W.A.L.P. is an association comprised of over 380 member firms consisting of over 1,400 individuals representing contractors, architects, designers, gardeners, landscape, irrigation, nursery, stone, and equipment suppliers, educators, and consultants.
“The Environmental Landscape Awards celebrate how quality design, workmanship, and maintenance enhance the natural beauty of our environment and exemplifies our Association’s goal of responsible environmental stewardship,” said W.A.L.P. President Richard Casey of Casey’s Landscaping. “It is even more significant that this award was selected by a peer panel of experts in the field. We at W.A.L.P. are in awe of these Industry leaders and their award winning projects.”
Greenleaf Landscaping has also been published in Northwest Landscape Professional in 2008, 2009, and 2012 for awards it has received from W.A.L.P.
Greenleaf Landscaping has been a member of WALP since 2005.
To learn more about W.A.L.P visit: http://www.walp.org/
The Sustainable Management of Assets, Resources and Technology (SMART) recognition program promotes Spokane area businesses who adopt policies and practices that encourage good management of financial, built, natural and human capital. Sustainable practices can help a business reduce expenses and increase revenue by making it run more efficiently and attracting new customers who prefer to do business with companies that share their values. The SMART label provides the brand recognition those customers seek, and positions your business as a leader so other businesses can learn from your success.
Greenleaf Landscaping has been a member of the SMART Program since 2011.
If you’d like to learn more, please visit: http://www.sustaininw.org/programs/smart/
Benefits of Obtaining an ISA Certification Credential
The tree care profession has experienced rapid growth over the past decade and there is a significant amount of knowledge required to perform at the highest level. ISA credentials help consumers identify qualified, knowledgeable tree care professionals.
Earning a credential is a voluntary activity, but it demonstrates that you have the proper knowledge and skills, as well as a high level of dedication to your profession and your community. ISA Certified Arborists understand the importance of continued education and how it helps to make the world be a better place, one tree at a time.
THE VALUE OF AN ISA CREDENTIAL
ISA credentials are valued and trusted because they let consumers know that you possess a high degree of knowledge about caring for and maintaining trees. When developing an exam, a panel of subject matter experts from around the world completes a job task analysis, and then writes an exam that encompasses the defined skills. ISA credentials build expert knowledge and reflect the professional skills sought by leaders from the public and private sectors, including training, academia and government organizations.
BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION
Earning an ISA credential has many benefits. A few of the major benefits are listed below.
- Certification builds an individual’s self-image. By studying for and passing the exam, individuals reaffirm to themselves and their peers a thorough knowledge and dedication to arboriculture.
- Certification affords the public and those in government the opportunity to make an informed selection of services based on the knowledge and advanced training demonstrated by an ISA Certification.
- The process of becoming ISA Certified and maintaining the designation provides incentives to the individual to continue his or her ongoing professional development.
- Certification is a tool to help employers in both training their personnel and selecting new employees.
- Holding an ISA credential can lead to an increase in income and promote new opportunities in professional advancement.
- Certification is a tool used to set oneself apart from the competition and gain a competitive edge in today’s economy.
- Certifications, sometime more than price, can be a deciding factor when multiple individuals bid for the same job. If you want the job done right, hire the right people!
