SF Blue Tech’s Post

The Switch-N-Go® Landscape Body is making it easier than ever for landscapers to have access to materials, equipment, and tools. See more > https://lnkd.in/gWhNc9De #switchngo #landscaping #lawnandlandscape #landscapebody

The Switch-N-Go Landscape Body is making it easier than ever for landscapers to have access to materials, equipment, and tools. See more > https://lnkd.in/gFkiS6Si #switchngo #landscaping #lawnandlandscape #landscapebody

I see more and more stories of depaving popping up - good! This particular example from Canada plans on turning a parking lot into a pond. The song had it right, years back, the university 'paved paradise and put up a parking lot.' In comes rewilding! Here's the CBC article > https://lnkd.in/dPqEySJ4 NOTHING is set and EVERYTHING always changes - it does so in nature, from the smallest to the biggest things. Heck, mountains change, too! Rewilding helps that process along - especially when smart people come to the right conclusion - the more nature conclusion. Rewilders don't just help remote places return from degraded to biodiversity-rich, they also help in cities. Look around your city and you're bound to see lots of sections that could be rewilded for the benefit of everyone. There's still concrete and asphalt just about everywhere - depaving is a fantastic way to go. Once that parking lot is gone, there is the danger to want to make things pretty and neat - I think the project sketch below strikes a fairly nice balance. I'd probably leave half of it no-canoe territory, for sure! Want to find out more about depaving? Check out Depave's website to learn more > https://lnkd.in/d9m8BQ7M - or Depave Paradise here > https://depaveparadise.ca/ #rewilding #rewilderweekly #naturerestoration

Why have one when you can have two? In our last two posts we have provided a high level overview of green and blue roofs, exploring their types, where they can be used and what the advantages could be if you utilise them on your next project. But does it have to be either/ or? And with their lack of green credentials and high plastic content, is there really a place for blue roofs in our SuDS strategies? Well, let’s start with the second point first. The important thing to remember here is that as part of any developing drainage strategy we have to work through the SuDS hierarchy starting at the top with the systems such as green roofs and bioretention areas that meet all the four pillars (attenuation, water quality, biodiversity and amenity). If once we have gone through the process we are still struggling to meet our site attenuation requirements, only then should we start considering some of the harder engineering solutions such as tanks, blue roofs and geocellular units. So what happens if our site is leading us towards a blue roof? Is there anything we can do to enhance it and push it further up the hierarchy? Well, as hinted at in the previous post, this all comes down to finishes, as while traditional paving or decking could be used, there is also the opportunity to utilise a greener alternative. Often referred to as a green blue roof, this type of system can provide the best of both worlds on those tricky sites, where large attenuation volumes are required but you don’t want to compromise on the benefits a green roof can bring. These can include providing amenity if the roof is designed to be accessible, encouraging new habitats for wildlife to bring nature back into our cities as well as providing some cooling benefits. So when you are exploring roof drainage options on your next project, be greedy, as you don’t want to miss out on some of the amazing benefits a combined approach can bring. (Image: Green Blue Roof in Aylesford, Kent courtesy of Polypipe) #Drainge #SuDS #BlueGreenRoof

In Greater Geelong, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, Reef Design Lab has recently introduced their innovative EMU product into the local bay. EMU or Erosion Mitigation Units, are organically shaped modules created from a low impact concrete blended with oyster shells. The geometry of the design is such that it creates a desirable habitat for local marine life and that during low tides, it created mini retaining pools of water for marine life. The hope is that these modules will act as a breakwater barrier along the bay, which will lower the risks presented by erosion on coastal communities. If the project is successful, its implementation on a larger scale in locations across the globe, can help coastal communities maintain marine ecosystems and protect coastal habitats as well. #sustainabledesign #sustainability #coastal #coastalliving #coastalengineering #erosioncontrol #erosion #erosionmitigation #biomes

LUTZ PARK Nestled along the hills of the Fox River in Appleton, WI, Lutz Park has a long riverfront history. Prior to the many locks and dams, it was home to Appleton’s only steamboat landing, and contained a rapids known as the Grand Chute. It is now home to 3 acres of open space, including multiple islands and is home to the Appleton Yacht Club. As part of infrastructure upgrades to Lutz Park and the Appleton Yacht Club, the City of Appleton chose to incorporate the Envirolok system to stabilize the shoreline and create a vegetative buffer between South Lutz Drive and the Fox River. Because of the limited wake in the marina, stabilization was achieved by placing small stones up to the ordinary high-water elevation and stacking the Envirolok system at a 1.5V:1H slope for the remaining 2’ above the stone. The Envirolok system provides an encapsulated soil layer providing permanent protection from erosion during high flood events. The system also allowed for the engineers to design a steeper slope above the shoreline, preserving a widened vegetative buffer behind the Envirolok reinforced slope. A mix of native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers planted in the buffer provide natural filtration and infiltration of runoff, preserve water quality, and provide valuable pollinator habitat along the river’s edge. This example of a blended shoreline using hard armoring and Envirolok’s bio-engineered solution is a cost-effective way to secure an active shoreline area, while still including a natural aesthetic. While there are many similar projects where the Envirolok system is placed below the water level without using hard armoring solutions at the toe, the area of this section of river has extremely mucky soils, which would have required the system to be embedded deep below the riverbed. Instead the design chose to reuse much of the on-site stone as a cost-effective means of securing the toe. https://lnkd.in/g5xZJDuk #streambankstabalization #stormwater #landscapearchitecture #civilengineering #livingshoreline

A client approached us with the aspiration to replace an existing dwelling with a larger dwelling in a different location. The site is in the South Downs National Park and therefore the impact on the landscape of relocating the dwelling was a key consideration. We demonstrated through the rationalisation of existing outbuildings, a larger replacement dwelling could be achieved. Through careful design and landscape input, permission was granted for the replacement dwelling which is of a high-quality design which will improve the visual qualities of the area and contribute to the local distinctiveness as well as the special qualities of the South Downs National Park. The replacement dwelling provided a new bat roost and other elements which resulted in Biodiversity Net Gain.  #replacementdwelling #planningpermission #residentialdevelopment

🚜 Experience the effectiveness of professional land clearing with Tree Wise Guys. We take overgrown spaces and turn them into clean, functional areas. This before-and-after series demonstrates our capability to tackle challenging terrains, preparing them for your next project, be it construction, landscaping, or simply reclaiming your outdoor space. See the difference our skilled land clearing services can make. 🌳🚜 #LandTransformation #TreeWiseGuys #ClearingSuccess

Marais Wiels (Wiels Swamp), chronology of a #construction project 🏗️ gone wrong ... and the birth of a natural area 🪿🐜🐞 in Brussels. The Wiels swamp is a clear signal (and a warning) for the importance of an in-depth knowledge of the geology and #hydrogeology in large construction projects 🏢. In 1881 the Wielemans Breweries 🍻 set up on a marshy land in the commune of Forest, on the outskirts of Brussels. The #water from the underground aquifer was used to make beer. Over a century later, in 1988, de-industrialisation of the city lead to the closure of the breweries. In 2001 the abandoned site was bought by a construction company with the goal to develop an office building. Due to the geology of Brussels (sand, silt, gravel) stabilizing pillars that reach till deeper more stable geological layers need to be installed for high rise buildings. Unfortunately, during preparatory work in 2007, two core drills penetrated the more stable clay layer and hit a water table located underneath ⛲. The water pressure filled the excavation site and pumping the water to the sewer failed: a lake was created 🌊. The building project was abandoned soon after due to the high financial costs related to this accident. Once the lake was formed, various species typically seen in marches started to frequent the area and the 'urban nature' site was appreciated by the local residents. This led to the strong opposition to a new proposal in 2016 by the same construction company to build luxury homes in the area. In 2020 the Brussels region bought back the swamp area with the aim of opening up green area, using the water body as a storm basin to prevent flooding, and building eighty homes on half of the Marais. This again led to strong opposition by the residents. The area is a beloved site in the commune of Forest with dedicated residents, activists, and organizations like Les fé-e-s du Marais Wiels fighting for its conservation. More info on the Marais Wiels citizen conservation group (https://lnkd.in/ex3tcWGM). More info on the planned urban development project (https://lnkd.in/eYAJZM_8)