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Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association |
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Advisory committee on Landscape Design and Management |
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Committee Meeting |
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1. Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Members present: 6
Members absent: 1
Board Liaison: Absent
Guests: None
A member suggested four changes to the minutes. These were all adopted and the revised minutes were approved with two abstentions.
We revisited the question of what materials should be posted on the website. It was agreed that the names of individuals would be deleted from posted materials, including minutes of the meetings. Some individuals were concerned that the web is not restricted to residents only. Minutes will be posted with the omission of all names. (The reference book at the Community Center Front Desk will contain the original minutes without names redacted.) Mechanics of the website will be discussed further with our BOD liaison.
Other Communities
Various committee members had undertaken to contact other communities and resources. A member reported on a conversation he had with a potential consultant, who had consulted on a local community. Among the highlights of their discussion were the following:
He worked at Community B in the mid-1980s; he has not been involved with them since and could not comment on current condition or practices.
The approach used was to discontinue broadcast spraying in favor of focused and spot applications. Bio-rational soaps and oils were used instead of toxic chemicals whenever possible. Using these methods, pesticide/herbicide use was reduced by 83%. The first year cost saving was 32%, followed by 8% in the second year.
The impetus for change was the Community Manager’s interest in seeking a more environmentally friendly approach. The consultant’s work was focused more on trees and woody plants, so he couldn’t speak to any tensions regarding their turf areas. He thought that what we were doing (e.g., higher mowing heights, leaving clippings, spot spraying, etc.) was all to the good.
Regular community meetings were held to inform residents of the purpose, benefits, progress and results of the program.
E. Very detailed records were kept on the pesticides used as well as the amounts used.
F. There are very few things that can be done about poison ivy.
G. Although he is a tree specialist, this consultant knew of several individuals who worked with turf concerns. He would be willing to share names with us.
I. He cautioned that going pesticide-/herbicide-free could incur higher costs, i.e., there is no free lunch to move to an environmentally responsible approach. Depending on the kind of maintenance, there might be more hand-weeding. Further, the oils that are used (instead of chemicals) can cost more because they are not made in large quantities.
He is interested to work with us. He also knows landscape firms in this area which might be of interest to us.
K. He noted that our timetable was very poor for a site visit to be done in December. The color and appearance of the foliage is an important consideration in determining its health; in winter, there is little foliage. The most meaningful time for a site visit (to maximize any recommendations he might offer) would be early spring.
5. Another member agreed to pursue a contact our BOD liaison had provided with Community C.
One member reported that Blandy Experimental Farm, a facility managed the State Arboretum of Virginia, does not consult; they recommended University of Maryland or Virginia Tech.
This same member also contacted Joel Lerner’s Environmental Designs. Mr. Lerner authors a weekly column in The Washington Post, called “The Green Scene.” He is also the author of The Idiot’s Guide to Landscaping and Anyone Can Landscape. He would not be available until Spring 2006 either, partly because of his current bookings, but also because he thinks it would be better to do this when there is more foliage. He charges $150 per hour plus the travel for the initial visit.
We are awaiting further information from the National Arboretum.
Another member identified Ray Smith, a steward of the National Wildlife Habitat Foundation, as someone of interest. He spoke to the Garden Club in 2001. She will follow up.
A member contacted Casey Sclar of Longwood Gardens which has practiced IPM for several years. Mr. Sclar is currently the IPM coordinator for DuPont. Longwood posts signs on their property, explaining to visitors that, “in the interest of the environment and the health of staff and visitors, we choose not to apply any chemicals or toxins.” Longwood did a comparison of chemical use before and after IPM and found a 78% reduction in the use of chemicals after IPM. This committee member will do some further research and report back to the committee.
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Various committee members had undertaken to contact other communities and resources |
November 17, 2005 |
