TreEconomics –Who Says Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees?

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Community Outreach, Sustainable Landscape Design | Leave a comment
21February2012

Technically, no, twenty-dollar bills don’t spring forth from leaf buds, nor do Benjamins drop lazily from the canopy in the fall.  You can’t crack open a walnut and find a silver dollar.  But, in today’s economic climate you should reconsider what your mother used to say, because although living trees don’t provide us with money, they can definitely keep us from spending it.

When one applies science and economics to study the value of a tree, one will ultimately discover that the tree is incredibly invaluable.  What I mean to say is that the ecosystem services, the goods provided to us by trees, are numerous and diverse, and positively affect our lives daily whether we understand it or not.  I think it’s safe to assume that most people recognize that through photosynthesis our simple, oxygen-dependent cardiovascular system is supported by trees.  And from my childhood experiences in Atlanta,GA, most people welcome the shade of a tall white oak in the dog days of summer.  But what else are we missing, what other critical roles do trees play in our ecosystem that we don’t take time to understand?

  • Trees are filters – they absorb and retain water that flows over land through the process of infiltration.  During infiltration, a significant amount of heavy metals and other pollutants carried in the water are removed by the tree, the end result being cleaner water stored in our aquifers, and less cost to remove those contaminants before human consumption.
  • Trees are like linebackers – in winter, evergreen species block cold winds from penetrating your house, therefore reducing draftiness and the subsequent need for conditioned air…equaling a lower heating bill.  In the summer, their deciduous counterparts reflect and absorb the sun’s rays, leading to a temperature-normalizing effect and a reduction in cooling costs.
  • Trees are grounded in reality– their root systems hold our soils in place, preventing erosion and unnecessary sediment loading into our waterways during heavy rain events.
  • Trees are strongholds – through photosynthesis, elemental carbon is separated out of carbon dioxide and stored in the tissues of living trees.  We know that atmospheric carbon exacerbates the trapping of heat within our atmosphere, and so without its sustained removal and storage our planet would suffer from wild fluctuations in climate driven by unregulated temperatures.

So what does all of this translate to?  In an urban setting, trees lower costs, increase savings, provide cleaner water, cleaner air, even marketable products (in the form of carbon credits).  There are now ways to quantify with one-cent accuracy the amount of money trees save us, especially in our cities and hardscapes where impervious surfaces, automobiles, heavy metals, and extreme temperature fluctuations are abundant.  Even street trees, root-bound by concrete on all sides, provide simple and beneficial ecosystem services which should not be overlooked.  For example, the city of Corvallis, OR (roughly 53,000 residents) used a computer program to value their urban forest’s annual worth at close to four million dollars; that estimate was generated by data collection in forested areas, street trees, shrubs, and grasslands, and included in the savings were pollutant removal, carbon storage, stormwater reduction, energy savings, and increases in real estate values (EPA).  Based on that figure, it certainly seems like more cities would pursue initiatives to protect their urban forests, if only for the economic savings generated by their presence.

Maybe we should change the age-old phrase to say “money doesn’t grow on trees, it grows through them”, all the way from the stabilizing roots to the shading canopies.  That might change the way we look at them.  The investment in and preservation of urban forests generates real and quantifiable annual returns which are in no way insignificant.  Add those tangible benefits to the incalculable aesthetic value of a tree, of a whole forest of trees, and we may just be able to strike a balance between science and economics and begin to grasp the incredible worth of a resource we so easily take for granted.

-Owen Carson, Field Technician (and tree-hugger)

Message from Equinox’ President

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Community Outreach | Leave a comment
13February2012

In September 2011 I stepped in to serve as the President of Equinox Environmental.  It has been with great satisfaction that my business partners Andy Brown and Steve Melton have put their faith in me to lead the company.  Andy Brown, who founded Equinox in 1998 and who I succeed as President, had the vision to build the organization into the company it is today through his leadership and determination.  Steve Melton’s tireless effort and commitment to building the Ecological Services group has significantly contributed to Equinox’ continuing success in spite of the challenging economic climate we all have experienced.  I am also very thankful to our terrific staff that has been very supportive during this time of change.  With all that being said, many of our supporters, business colleagues, and clients have asked what changes to expect from Equinox in going forward.  My reply to them is that Equinox will continue to provide our clients with the same excellent solutions, service, and people for the benefit of a healthy environment.  More specifically, we will continue to provide the five essentials that have set us apart or what I like to call “The Equinox Difference”.

1.       Our blend of unique skills and services- Our multidisciplinary team of professionals  produces sustainable solutions that work.   As simple as it sounds, our experience and backgrounds are critical to the success of each project we undertake.  Our talented team includes a diverse group of professionals from the planning, design, scientific, and natural resource realms that have a host of certifications and professional licenses to boot.  We will stick to what we do best because we are good at it, not everyone can do what we do, and we get deep satisfaction out of our work.

2.       Personal touch- We take great care to work with our clients and colleagues to promote effective communications.  It’s that “mom and pop” feeling combined with our practical experience within our niche market that gives the people we work with confidence that we truly have their best interest at heart.  This emphasis has served us and our clients’ very well over the years and has never been more important.

3.       Commitment to community- Equinox has a social mission that is tied to our community and the communities in which we work.  One of our main business goals is to make this world a better place and we believe that giving back to our community is part of who we are as an organization and how we can achieve that goal.  We give back in terms of volunteer time and financial contributions every year.

4.       Quality- We have built our reputation on delivering services and products that meet or exceed the expectations of the people with whom we work.  Equinox’ people are highly motivated, well trained, personable, and passionate about conservation, sustainable development, and client service.  This ensures that every project gets staffed by the best people and leads to the best result.

5.       Relationships- We believe in building relationships based on trustworthiness, integrity, and by valuing people. Our goal is to build and sustain long-term relationships with clients and collaborators that share these values.  Our emphasis on relationships gives people with whom we work the confidence in us to deliver what is needed every time.

I look forward to helping our clients reach their goals to protect and restore land and water resources, address environmental issues, build in an environmentally sensitive manner, or develop land based on sustainability and livability principles.  Hopefully, as we emerge out of the shadows of the economic doldrums, we can all have a bright and more sustainable 2012 and beyond.

David Tuch

 

 

President

Witch Hazel – The Winter Star

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Sustainable Landscape Design | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments
25January2012

A mild winter has its perks – low heating bills and more outdoor excursions, just to name a couple.  But some of the plants in our front yard have become a little disoriented by these warm days.  Our daffodil leaves have emerged just recently (and it’s only January), and so have our calendulas and alehoof growing in the front yard.  The future doesn’t look promising for these young plants – the next cold nip will surely be the end of their display.  There are plants, however, that regardless of mild or cold temps, give their floral displays every winter.  Some of my favorites for the winter landscape are in the witch hazel family.  There are so many varieties available today (well over 30!) that I’m a little out of practice.  There are numerous colors and fragrances, with several stemming from our native witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. 

The native Virginia witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, is a large shrub/small tree that flowers in early winter, with delicate star-like yellow blooms that make me think of “pom-poms.” The vernal witch hazel, Hamamelis vernalis, is another native witch hazel that blooms typically in January, with fragrant yellow to red flowers.  Several cultivars have flowers ranging from orange to purple and even include enhanced ‘spicy’ fragrances from the species.  These odorous traits are delicate but alluring, with scents similar to culinary delicacies, such as the Gingerbread witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Gingerbread’ ) and the Diane Red Flowering witch hazel  (Hamamelis x intermedia‘Diane’), with scents of vanilla and clove.  I’ve always wanted to bring branches into the house to brighten things up a bit, but I can never bring myself to cut these beautiful displays.

      

With more and more exotic evergreen choices flooding the horticultural market, don’t forget about the more subtle and unique native witch hazel varieties for winter interest.  Similar to azaleas and rhodos, they primarily need the same requirements: acidic, well drained soils, and partial sun (typically full morning sun is optimal for blooms).  Witch hazels look great with finer textured evergreens in the background, such as an eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) or white pine (Pinus strobus).  Also try mixing them with winter fruiting displays, such as the winterberry holly (Illex verticillata).   They can really be a great component to your winter landscape and add a bit of colorful cheer to overcome those winter blues.

 

-Dena Chandler, Landscape Designer, LEED-AP

Equinox’s Internal Response to Climate Change

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Climate Change | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments
17January2012

Because of our mission, our concern for our environment, and general thriftiness, we at Equinox have always worked to minimize our consumption of resources such as electricity, fossil fuels, and paper.  However, as climate change grows to an even bigger concern, we want to know and do more.  We began by learning more about climate change.  All of us now know a lot more than we did, and some of us have become real experts.  You can reference our dedication in our ‘Response to Climate Change’, which has been on our website for some time.

Since we outlined our basic strategy, we have had an energy audit to determine a baseline of energy consumption from which to compare any success we may achieve in reducing our energy use.  Waste Reduction Partners conducted the energy audit for us and helped us determine that our energy use is roughly 25.3 kBTUs per square foot whereas the average used by comparable small businesses in the Asheville  area is 93.0!  Learning this was a real morale booster; we are doing great – and honestly it’s not surprising -  it is important to us to do the right thing.  Now the challenge is to do more!  We know it can be done, and therefore, we’ve created a plan to address our internal energy consumption and efficiency.

We hired Green Opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of our space by adding additional sealing to windows, walls and doors. We have insulated the pipes to our water heater, disconnected the compressor to an internal water fountain, have plugged up some leaky holes in our walls, and have converted all of our light bulbs to fluorescent and LED. The energy savings won’t be staggering, but every little bit helps, and we want to do all that we can.

We are also implementing a Green House Gas Emission Reduction Policy that includes a variety of ways our conglomerate behavior at Equinox can change to reduce the amount of energy we consume.  Changes will include: 1.) increased planning, including carpooling when applicable, to reduce the amount of mileage we accumulate while working and commuting to work, 2.) requiring staff to turn off the power supply to all equipment at their workspace at the end of the day, 3.) converting to electronic documents instead of printed when possible, and  4.) a program to incentivize staff to choose alternative ways to get to work such as using city transit, walking or biking to work, or working from home when feasible.  We are optimistic that we can make a greater difference here and tread more softly on this beautiful planet we call home.

We hope to achieve a 25% reduction in our energy consumption and will track the achievement of our target.  We hope not only to reduce our green house gas emissions, but to also reduce the cost of doing business. If these efforts do not allow us to achieve our target, we will purchase offsets that will reduce our carbon footprint.  Our intention is to find in the ground projects that are local to Asheville and the surrounding area.  Ultimately, the point of all our efforts to increase energy efficiency and minimize consumption of resources and their resulting emissions is not to boast a number or meet a requirement, it is to embody our mission as well as to make good on our promise to ourselves and our incredibly precious planet.

-Joyce Brown, Andy Brown, Win Taylor, and Owen Carson-

 

Going Local this Holiday Season and Beyond

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Community Outreach | Tagged , | 2 Comments
12December2011

In a recent news report I learned that if we all spent just $64 on gifts with a “Made in America” label, we could create 200,000 new American jobs.  So I started my Holiday  shopping this year with a focus on buying American-made products and buying from local businesses.  I spent a lot of time looking at the labels in search for that elusive “Made in the USA” label and quickly realized that finding just one American made product for each of my family members was going to be difficult.  After finally purchasing a pair of deerskin leather gloves that were made in the USA, I turned my attention to the local stores in my city (Asheville, NC) and county (Buncombe).  Supporting our local businesses is more important than ever and I found it easy and satisfying to buy from local businesses, especially when most of the time it didn’t cost much more to do so. 

With most of my Holidayshopping complete (I am not one to wait to the last minute) I reflected on the impact that “buying local” had on Equinox.  I found that the impact this past year in particular was very positive for our business.  Projects in the community of major significance in terms of scope and costs typically are awarded to firms outside the city and county line.  However, this year the City of Asheville hired local firm McGill Associates to lead the effort on the Lake Craig project a major flood improvement project near the highly visited and used Azalea Road Park and Nature Center.  McGill assembled a team of local professionals to assist with the project, which thankfully included Equinox.  Also this year, Equinox with another local firm Kostelec Planning was hired to lead the Buncombe County Greenways & Trails Master Plan, a project that could have easily been “outsourced”.  These two projects alone helped support 7 firms that employ more than 80 people that live and work locally.  Since small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, these two projects alone had a significant impact.

If you start to look closely, products from food to crafts and services from design to engineering can be purchased or provided from locally-owned and operated businesses.  I know firsthand this has had a positive impact on our local businesses and I find myself thankful for the “Buy Local” movement.  We can all play a role in supporting the community in which we live and work so support your local businesses, buy American made products, and enjoy the Holiday season and have a prosperous new year!

 -David Tuch, President

Here are a couple of places to start your buy local endeavors:

The Asheville Grown Business Alliance and the Asheville City Schools Foundation are co-sponsoring the Asheville Go Local card  (http://www.facebook.com/avlgolocal?sk=wall)  The Go Local Card raises money for Asheville City Schools PTOs and the Asheville City Schools Foundation while keeping our dollars local.  The Go Local card costs only $15.00 and represents hundreds of dollars in discounts. For each card sold, the selling PTO keeps $5.00.  Another $5.00 goes to the Asheville City Schools Foundation which makes educational equity and teaching grants available to Asheville City schools classrooms and teachers.  Buy yours at your local school, or at http://acsf.org/get-involved/go-local-card.php

Blue Ridge Food Ventures, a service of Advantage West, is an 11,000 sq. ft. shared-use kitchen incubator and natural products manufacturing facility that offers support in product development, regulation guidance, advice on packaging and label design, and much more.  To purchase delicacies produced locally through BRFV go to http://www.advantagewest.com/content.cfm/content_id/336/section/food

For a list of local businesses that are part of the Asheville Grown Business Alliance go to http://ashevillegrown.wordpress.com/

The Way of the Green

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
20October2011

One fine fall evening around dusk about two years ago, I was cruising down Montford Avenue on my bicycle, helmet on head, headlights flashing.  All of a sudden, an oncoming car made a quick turn in front of me forcing me to slam on my brakes, which sent me flying over the handle bars.  I did a belly flop on the pavement and went into mild shock, but fortunately, did not suffer any long-term injuries.

This incident got me thinking, what choices do non-vehicular travelers have for getting around town?  Sure we can “Share the Road” with cars and ride in designated bike lanes where they exist.  But what if pedestrians and cyclists could connect from Point A to Point B without worrying about encroaching motor-vehicles or oncoming traffic?

Greenways provide opportunities for alternative modes of transportation, typically along open space and stream corridors.  Greenway networks connect parks, neighborhoods, schools, work, farmers markets and other destinations while contributing to a healthier environment, a better quality of life, and an increase in economic opportunities.

Greenways offer a safe and fun route for the casual walker, cycler, or runner.

In Buncombe County, there are currently 10 miles of existing greenways with over 200 miles proposed.  Where will these greenways go and where will they connect?  You tell us.  Equinox is currently working with Buncombe County and its partners throughout the region in updating Buncombe County’s 2008 Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Master Plan.   The plan will integrate Asheville’s preliminary greenway plan, Land of Sky’s Linking Lands Project, and most importantly input from YOU!

Attend one of the meetings in your community and make your voice heard:

October 20th at the Wilma Sherrill Center at UNC Asheville, 5:30-7pm

October 24th at the Land-of-Sky Regional Council, 5:30-7pm

October 27th at the Skyland Fire Department, 5:30-7pm

If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to contribute your input into the planning process, complete this brief online survey.

It took a few weeks after my accident to rally up the courage to get back on my bicycle, but before long I was once again cruising the streets of Asheville envisioning a time in the near future when I can meander through town via greenways!

-Lindsay Majer, Environmental Planner and Greenway Lover!

YardBirds

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
3October2011

Oh chicken poop!

I just recently acquired two laying hens and. . .so far so good!  The kids immediately took to them, with my daughter naming her chicken Lilly and my son naming his Tractor Pants.  Of course my bird dog is wondering why she’s not allowed to flush them like she would normally do while grouse hunting in the nearby woods.  Instead she’s decided to intimidate the heck out of them by staring at them through the fence while they try to enjoy their free range time.  Likewise my son has been trying to figure out how to pet them, which basically results in him chasing them around their yard until he tires of this activity.

Chickens? Where? Did somebody say chickens?

Even with all of this going on, they have been pretty consistent in terms of laying eggs for the family.  Sure, I guess it probably would have made more financial sense to purchase fresh eggs from the local farmers at around $3.00/dozen, especially since the eggs we are getting at the house are probably costing closer to $100.00/dozen when you look at the cost and time associated with building the coop!  However, for those of you out there with kids (or not), raising a small flock of chickens in the backyard is a great educational experience and a fresh source of backyard protein to boot.

The hens get some free-range time amidst the chard fields.

 As for time commitments associated with raising laying hens, once the coop and pen are established you are looking at about a half hour per day at a maximum.  At a minimum, depending on the type of facility you have for them, you need to make sure they have water and you will want to get the eggs at the end of the day (5 minutes maybe).  Better yet (and back to the kid thing) if you have kids, let them help out and eventually take over the daily responsibilities.  Yeah, they’ll learn quickly that eggs do not come from the grocery store!

For those of you out there that have been thinking about jumping on the backyard poultry wagon there are plenty of informative books at the Buncombe County Libraries.  Also, if you do not have the time and know how to construct a coop there are plenty of places here in town selling pre-fabricated chicken coops.  One final but very important note to consider prior to running out and getting some chickens is to first check for any restrictions or ordinances that may apply to where you plan on establishing your poultry venture.

-Win Taylor, Certified Fisheries Biologist, Backyard Gardener

Stay Safe During Hunting Season

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
19September2011

It’s that time of year again in western North Carolina, and with the changing leaves comes big game hunting season and the need to take extra safety measures when hiking in the woods.  Most people are aware of gun season, which starts the week of Thanksgiving and runs through early December, but fewer people are aware of how early archery season starts in western NC.  Archery season opened on September 12th of this year.  The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) map below depicts the various hunting seasons per region:

With two new laws that went into effect during last years hunting season, more archers will be taking to the woods.  The NCWRC changed the law that allowed only handicapped/disabled persons to use a crossbow during archery season in NC to any person.  Also the NCWRC has opened Sunday hunting during archery seasons on private lands only.  Also, few are aware of the Muzzle loading gun season which opens this year on October 3 and runs an extra week to October the 15.  During this time of year people should take extra precaution when recreating in the woods.  In fact, it is a policy at Equinox that any persons doing field work must wear an orange vest year-round.  I would recommend the same to anyone that is out and about in the forest, especially during this time of year.  Don’t forget about your four-legged pets also – they should have a bright colored collar or some type of vest to ensure they’re not mistaken for game.  For a full list of the hunting regulations in North Carolina see http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/index.htm.

 

 

Steve Melton – Vice President & Field Biologist

Getting ‘Wild’ at Work

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Ecological Services | 1 Comment
6September2011

I feel like I’ve been to every cool place in Western North Carolina since I started working with Equinox in June of last year.  My field work has led me to many a beautiful, remote rock cliffs, to an abundance of old growth forests, to the peaks of some of the highest mountains in the state – all very extraordinary places.  The work I perform has helped stoke the fire inside of me that wants to explore the remotest, most wild areas in the state, which is why I want to share a piece of my experiences in North Carolina’s Wilderness Areas.

The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, just north of Robbinsville along the TN-NC border, is the western-most area which I’ve explored.  It is home to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, one of the most impressive protected old-growth forests in the state.  There are yellow and tulip poplars over 200 feet tall and many feet around in diameter.  The terrain is also steep and full of water – an amazing amount of headwaters arise in the high country of the Slickrock, rushing down into the Cheoah River and eventually Lake Santeetlah.  The incredible amount of folds within these mountains give rise to an equally as impressive variety of flora and fauna – the highest mountains are hosts to the threatened northern flying squirrel, while the lowest streams provide habitat for the endangered Virginia spiraea.  Recently we’ve done some research in the Slickrock Wilderness for the US Forest Service’s Southern Research Station involving high-elevation stands of yellow birch trees – what a place to call your office!

 

Moving eastward, immediately I think of home, Brevard, NC, just about 25 miles from the amazing Shining Rock Wilderness – I haven’t worked here yet, but I’ve stomped around in there for many a season.  When I think of Shining Rock, I think blueberries and Blazing Stars in the fall.  I think of views of Graveyard Fields, of the skeleton trees there and the stunted bushes which remind me of Africa, even though I’ve never been.  I have spent a lot of time pondering the intricacies of nature while sitting on those sparkling rocks.  It sounds a little cheesy, I know, but that place can make you feel so small and unimportant – it’s great for both the body and the ego!  If you haven’t visited the Shining Rock Wilderness yet, I speak for many people when I say that I highly recommend it.

 

Last but not least, the past year and a half at Equinox have brought me into a wilderness completely new to me – the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.  Located about 15 miles northeast of Marion, the deeply-cut gorge is sometimes dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the East” because of its similar, but diminished, appearance.  The Linville River bisects the gorge longitudinally, offering a stunning waterfall at the top and multiple cascades and slides as it winds its way south. In 2010, Equinox was hired by the National Forests in North Carolina to inventory all of the trails and a majority of the remaining off-trail acres for non-native invasive plant species.  I began working shortly after we were contracted, and so I had the privilege of personally hiking nearly all of the trails within the wilderness, not to mention bushwhacking into some extremely remote and treacherous uncharted terrain.  What I experienced was incredible: steep, dry, rocky, fire-scalded ridges and cliffs, sharply giving way to deep forests full of life.  Two species of federally-listed flowering plants occur at the highest, most exposed points in the gorge, both of which I had the privilege of identifying and monitoring.  Oh, and I can’t forget to mention all of the bears, birds, snakes and salamanders!

 

There are too many areas to talk about in such a short space – I wouldn’t do all of them justice.  I only hope that I can continue to make it into these amazing Wilderness areas, through work and through personal quest.  And if you’re interested in them, you can always contact the various state chapters of the Wilderness Society – they’ve worked to establish and preserve 110 million acres of our National Wilderness Areas since 1935!  Without their hard work, I, amongst millions of others, wouldn’t have experienced all of the extraordinary places that I have.

-Owen Carson-

Big Changes at Equinox

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
22August2011

August 17, 2011

Greetings Clients, Friends and Allies of Equinox Environmental –

On September 21, 2011 I am resigning my position as president and chief executive officer at Equinox Environmental Consultation and Design, Inc.  I have been at this work since 1998, and I am a little tired in all honesty.  I have loved it and feel like I have made a difference.  And that was my dream.  I also feel that I have been incredibly blessed to meet and collaborate with so many good people.  At the end of the day, it’s always been about relationships to me.  I like people.  I like trying to help make the world a better place.  Equinox has given me a vehicle for engaging life on both of those fronts.  And for this I am enormously thankful.

I have other interests though, and sometimes when I still myself long enough, I hear different callings.  I love basketball.  I love history.  I love kids.  I love food.  I love working with my hands and being outside.  I love my family.  I love God.  I feel that I need this change in my career to give me the time and energy to cultivate my relationship with these and other enjoyments and to simply participate more fully in all aspects of life.

I will still be around at Equinox in a half time position.  My principle duties will be to continue building and sustaining relationships and to serve as an environmental planner on certain projects.  I am really looking forward to actually seeing and interacting with people again on a routine basis – whether they be our staff, clients, friends, allies or new people that don’t yet know the Equinox family.

Here at Equinox, my long time business partner David Tuch will be assuming my former position.  David has a wealth of experience, is well qualified and brings his own special gifts to the job.  He also has the ‘fire’ that this job demands and is energized by the challenges and opportunities before him.  I think he will do great!  My other business partner, Steve Melton, just recently married and is expecting his first child.  Steve says that his plate is full with these life changes and wants to stay in his current role as vice president of Equinox and Ecological Services Group Manager.  Steve is highly supportive of these leadership changes.  Many of you know that without my wife Joyce handling a good many of the details of running a business, Equinox would have probably been a simple pipe dream that would have landed in a whole heap of trouble a long time ago.  Joyce will continue in her role as corporate officer and HR/Office Manager, and will actually step up her involvement to some degree.  Joyce is also supportive of these leadership changes.

We recognize that changes like this can cause great anxiety for those it affects (and perhaps even some relief!).  I want to assure folks that, with your help, we envision Equinox being around a long, long time.  We’ve got a great leadership team.  We’ve got a stable work load.  We’ve got a strong reputation.  We’ve got the values, culture and infrastructure to handle ups and downs that are likely to come our way.  We’re always exercising our vision in order to craft pragmatic and meaningful responses to societal and market demands.  Perhaps most importantly – we’ve got an incredible staff.  These are some of the finest people you will find anywhere.  It’s great when you get a chance to work with people who not only do great work but who you sincerely enjoy being around.  I see and hear firsthand all the time that the quality of our people, their work and the level of service they provide far exceed most of our competitors.  I do not see that changing.

So that’s it.  Change can be a good thing, and in this case I believe it is very good indeed.  Thank you for your support, encouragement, and belief in Equinox and in me over the years.  I am certain that your continued trust in Equinox will be well rewarded.  I hope to see around!

 

Andy Brown, president and CEO (soon to be a simple, cheerful bumpkin)

Climate Change & the National Debt

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Climate Change | Tagged , | 1 Comment
11August2011

Like the national debt, climate change seems to be one of those hot-button issues that both polarizes and inflames people. It’s pitiful really. Nothing gets done. Problems get kicked down the road to the next generation. Win-win opportunities are missed. And the problem gets bigger. Why? The reasons are many and most are probably beyond my comprehension, but I think one big reason is that most of us have become so blinded by our own egos that we cannot possibly comprehend that another might have a valid perspective on the issue. We rigidly and vehemently cling to the notion that ‘I am right and you are wrong’, to our own detriment and the detriment of those innocents around us. I think its time to return to some old fashioned values of listening, respecting, and working with others – and not taking ourselves too seriously. Compromise and collaboration are not the dirty words that extremists on both sides of any issue might have us believe. The issue of climate change, like our national debt, is likely not going away even if I want to stick my head in the sand and pretend that it is. But I’ll probably never make the progress on it that I think is needed if, in my grandiosity, I keep trying to push square pegs through round holes.

So, I am a believer in climate change and that it is human induced. I also believe we need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and remove excess carbon that is already in the atmosphere. I believe the consequences of doing nothing are not good. And I also see great benefits coming to America if we act, regardless of whether the ‘experts’ are wrong about climate change. Who can argue with the national security benefits that come from reducing our dependence on foreign oil or the health and visibility benefits from reducing coal burning air pollution? Who can argue with the economic benefits to come from the development of clean energy solutions?

Now that you know something about my principles on this issue, you might be surprised that I have a lot in common with opponents of climate action. I don’t want to be told what to do – especially if these ideas are hatched by academics, scientific experts, engineers, government bureaucrats, or unrealistically radical environmentalists. I have worked in the environmental field long enough to experience a certain intellectual elitism from many people in these groups that turns me off, and to see firsthand that the experts are often wrong (after they’ve mucked it up). Earth’s climate is big and complex – its ‘God’ big, and I think we humans get ourselves in trouble trying to play God. On the climate change issue, I feel that we run a real danger of exceeding our human limitations. There is also the issue of development. I like development – I like to see people gainfully employed and doing good, worthwhile work that gives them a sense of accomplishment. Sure we could cut our greenhouse gas emissions if we stopped working, but at what expense to people’s well being and society at large? Certainly the frenetic pace of development over the last two decades was unsustainable and a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – but development, if done wisely, is a real good thing in my opinion.

I write all of this because I think people have a lot more in common than the tone in our country at this time would suggest. If we ever hope to make progress on climate change (and the national debt), I think it’s high time we find those commonalities, and without fear, let people see a little more into us than we might normally offer.

-Andy Brown, president & CEO

In Search of Smallmouth Bass

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
25July2011


While the extreme drought of 2008 was not good for farming, lawns, or landscaping, it brought great opportunities to wade fish the big western North Carolina rivers for smallmouth bass, one of the best fighting game fish around.  The French Broad and Little Tennessee were unusually low and clear making them easy to wade and rock hop to pools that were normally only accessible by boat.  It was not unusual to catch 20-30 fish ranging from 9-16 inches in length during a 4-hour morning or evening trip.  Now that the drought is over and normal flows have returned, folks like me who don’t own a boat or raft have had to find other places to safely wade fish for smallmouth bass.

A nice-sized smallmouth bass

My search for such fishing opportunities has focused on tributaries of the major rivers.  In theFrench BroadRiver basinthis includes the lower portions of the following watersheds:

  • Big Laurel Creek
  • Spring Creek
  • Ivy River
  • Sandymush Creek
  • Swannanoa River
  • Hominy Creek
  • Cane Creek

I have found the quality of the habitat and fishing in these streams to be quite variable.  I was surprised to see, at times, that some of them were cloudier (carrying more suspended sediment) than theFrench Broad River!  Streams flowing from watersheds that are highly developed or containing a lot of agricultural activity have degraded water quality and habitat conditions; whereas those draining watersheds that are primarily forested or having good riparian vegetation are generally clear, even following moderate rains.  My experience has been that turbid streams are harder to fish, producing fewer and somewhat smaller fish although 15+ inch are occasionally caught.  From a biological perspective, this is likely because smallmouth bass are sight feeders; therefore, it is more difficult for them to locate food or see my lures where waters are very cloudy.

A turbid Little Tennessee River

Although some of these watersheds are still degraded, most of them are in better shape than they were 40-50 years ago.  New and better agricultural practices, emphasis on riparian vegetation, control of stormwater, better sewage treatment facilities, and stronger erosion control measures have contributed to improved water quality across the region.  At Equinox, I have worked on several watershed plans that identify improvements that should help this trend continue.  To learn more about watershed planning go to the EPA’s Watershed Academyweb site at http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/wacademy/index.cfm.

A catch like this is what turns a good fishing day into a great one!

While these smaller streams are easier to wade, high waters from daily thunderstorms can make them unfishable and some pre-planning can eliminate the disappointment of arriving at a stream only to find water levels too high.  Real-time data for streams in North Carolina are available online at the US Geological web site at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/rt.  In the French Broad River flow data are available for Ivy River, Swannanoa River, and Mills River as well as several locations on the mainstem of the French Broad River.  A few trips relating water levels to fishing success was all I needed to ensure I could seek out smallmouth regardless of water conditions on the big rivers.  Please remember to obtain landowner permission before crossing private land to access these streams.

Good luck!

-Jim Borawa, Senior Environmental Scientist


Cross Country Travels and Native Plants

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Sustainable Landscape Design | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
11July2011

Several years ago during my travels from Portland, Oregon to Charlotte, North Carolina, I passed through many communities, both big and small, as I drove along old country roads and well-traveled highways.  The places I remember most were the small towns that had architectural richness and landscapes that reflected the region in which I was traveling.

The natural landscapes of the alpine meadows in Hell’s Canyon, Idaho; the Ponderosa Pine woodlands of the big mountains in Montana; the grasslands and prairies of South Dakota; and the amazing diversity of plants in the Blue Ridge Mountains were awe-inspiring.   There is an amazing amount of variety and beauty in the natural landscapes of our country.  Yet in our own landscapes we seem to pick plants from foreign lands that don’t reflect the natural beauty of the region in which we live.  The “Anywhere USA” landscapes that include traditional lawns and foundation plantings (plants located at the base of a house or building) of bush bamboo, Crape Myrtle, Otto Luykin Laurel, monkey-grass, and English Ivy, for example, can be found from Virginia to Georgia and beyond.  These landscapes are not as rich and diverse as our native landscapes –  they neither contribute to a “sense of place”nor a sustainable landscape.

In addition to helping reinforce an areas natural heritage; native plants provide wildlife habitat, require less energy to maintain, less chemical treatments, and do not typically require additional water once plants are established.  Thus, we can spend less time maintaining them and more time enjoying them.  Native plants can also be part of a design that helps mitigate the impacts of habitat loss; when we build new homes or developments we often displace natural vegetation and wildlife, and so planting native plants can help offset this loss.  While there are many reasons to use native plants in the designed landscape, my cross-country travels have taught me that perhaps one of the best is that native plants help us celebrate our natural heritage.

David Tuch, Vice President 

 

Tractors, Graveyards and Tomato Soup

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Community Outreach | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment
22June2011

These items may seem to have nothing in common, but tractors, graveyards and tomato soup were all major topics of conversation and intense thought at Pack Place in downtown Asheville last October.  These were three of the seven design themes that were made into reality at Canstruction Asheville’s annual design/build competition.  This was my second (and most fun) year volunteering with the non-profit organization.  An architect friend of mine asked me to be involved in Canstruction because the board wanted more diversity of design professionals to be involved, and not just architects, as historically was the case.  I could not believe my eyes when I first saw photos of past competition entries – an octopus, a roller skate, and an eagle, all made completely out of full cans of food!  In the Canstruction competitions that take place around the world every fall, these mystifying structures are built by talented design professionals who compete amongst each other to build structures for fun and to win bragging rights.  However, in Asheville, the competition has grown to something much more unique and, well, Asheville.

Canstruction Asheville links together design professionals (i.e., architects, landscape architects, artists and designers) with young students in the community to design and build large, eventually-edible sculptures.  Then, after all the fun and sweat, the ‘building materials’ are donated to the local food bank MANNA.  So far I have mentored students from both Asheville and Enka High Schools and, for the most part, it has been a real pleasure getting to know these kids.  Once they put down their cell phones (and were loosely bribed with food), they really worked together well and came up with some cool ideas.  The hardest part was getting them to back away from their coveted computer design software (e.g. AutoCAD and Google SketchUp) and break out the old fashioned pencil and paper.

I work to create ecologically-sound and aesthetically-pleasing landscapes, and although there aren’t seemingly a lot of similarities between designing a graveyard scene that consists of canned deviled ham, olives, and sweet peas and designing a landscape with native plants, design principles are universal.  And it’s not just about design, it’s also about building relationships and community.  So, after participating in my second year of Canstruction Asheville, I have come to the following conclusion as to why it works and ends up being so fabulous.

Canstruction is a great community event because it supports the following three (3) items, including:

  • Partnerships between students and mentors;
  • An opportunity for professionals to give back and share their knowledge; and
  • Everyone involved works together to accomplish something really special (and has a lot of fun at the same time).

Last year, we raised over 10,000 lbs of food for WNC! This adds up to approximately one day worth of food given out by MANNA, but to the people who receive the aid across WNC and to the kids who raise it, this is a huge accomplishment.

Canstruction may just seem like a cool competition to get your child’s school involved in, and it is, but it’s also about building relationships and encouraging kids to participate in something outside of school and the home in which they can feel a sense of accomplishment.  This was very apparent after last year’s awards ceremony, when I heard several excited teenagers discussing strategies for next year’s entries – most of which sounded quite intriguing!   So, for my first mentor-mentee partnership since I’ve begun working as a design professional, Canstruction has prompted me to challenge everyone to do the following: pick an event happening in your community this year, donate your time, your interest, and your skill – and the possibilities and rewards are endless!

If you’re interested in participating in Canstruction, either as a school representative or a professional, check out the non-profit’s website for more information – http://www.canstruction.org/.

To donate to Canstruction Asheville, please visit MANNA’s website and select “Canstruction” in the donation drop down menu – https://mannafoodbank.lucidserver.com/donate-money-online/.

Dena Chandler, Landscape Designer

Equinox Partners with NOAA on the World Stage

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Conservation Planning | Leave a comment
8June2011

During the week of May 22-26, Equinox Environmental in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center presented a poster at the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress conference in Palms Springs, California.  Presenting at this conference was a real milestone for us at Equinox as we look towards helping others deal with the impacts of climate change.  The conference provided an important opportunity for national and international professionals to convene to discuss pressing issues in the environmental and water resource fields.

The joint effort from Equinox and NOAA included a presentation on the impacts of climate change on the water cycle, the projected trends and changes in precipitation, and the use of stormwater management strategies to address these impacts.  The primary focus of the presentation was the application of Integrated Stormwater Management (ISM) as a way to adapt to weather pattern changes such as an increase in heavy rain events due to climate change. The advantage of ISM is that it combines both water quality treatment with storage capacity. “It promotes the capture of stormwater through the use of natural systems (as opposed to traditional piped systems) to treat polluted runoff and the use of storage facilities to control the additional volume associated with heavy rain events” stated Equinox’ Stormwater Specialist & Landscape Architect, Fred Grogan.   This is exciting because ISM also minimizes the amount of land needed to manage stormwater runoff which is often a challenge when designing stormwater facilities.

The partnership we have formed with NOAA is an amazing opportunity for us to be at the forefront of climate change work and will propel us as leaders in the response to global climate change.  Working directly with world renowned scientists, we have been provided the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for design professionals such as landscape architects and to craft strategies and design solutions that will help society adapt and mitigate the impacts of a warmer climate.  Our next presentation with NOAA will be at the 19th Conference on Applied Climatology: Practical Solutions for a Warming World, which will be held July 18–20, 2011 in Asheville, NC.

Final Presentation Board

**Please click the link above to view the full version of our presentation board**

Written by David Tuch, Equinox’ Vice-President & Landscape Architect in reference to the presentation titled, “The Effects of Global Climate Change on the Water Cycle and Water Quality:  The Use of Stormwater Best Management Practices to Address Future Impacts”.

The Future of Residential Development: Balancing Conservation with Development

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Conservation Planning, Sustainable Landscape Design | Leave a comment
25May2011

While the economic slowdown has all but halted most development, we are provided time to reflect on how we create new residential developments and explore ways to provide residential housing needs while also protecting the environment.  Over the past 20 years, just in North Carolina, we have lost approximately 16% of our farmland and 10% of our forestland, while urban areas have grown by 88%. As the southern Appalachian region of North Carolina continues to be ranked as a top location to live, work, and play, development pressures on its natural resources are only expected to increase.  As more and more people move to this region in pursuit of our wonderful environment that provides such a high quality of life, the protection of these natural resources becomes imperative for environmental, economic, and social vitality.

Conservation Based Development identifies the most significant natural features of a property and sets them aside as community common areas, green spaces, or nature preserves which are not to be developed.  The first step in the process is to identify the natural and cultural resources of the site, such as wetlands, floodplains, woodlands, and farmland.  Additional natural features that should be set aside and not developed include: water resources (river, streams, seeps), rare plants and rare plant communities, ecologically sensitive habitats, and ridge tops.

An example of one of our conservation development plans. Notice how the majority of the forest has been preserved while still allowing for residential development.

Once these layers of information are gathered and mapped in combination with soils, geology, and slope data, they are evaluated by overlaying the maps (like layers of a cake) to distinguish “conservation areas” from “buildable areas”.  The next steps are to then locate the house sites within the buildable areas by laying out the roads and trails, and then defining the lot or parcel lines to create each home site area.

As a general rule, the “conservation areas” should be a minimum of 100 acres or 50% of an entire piece of land.  Ideally, the areas left untouched and set aside as permanently-protected land will be in the range of 70-80%. This will allow for a development to truly protect natural habitat while also serving the functional needs of its community.

A development that is based on conservation and sustainble principles, such as the model of Conservation Based Developments, offers the ability to create new residential developments while protecting the environment on which they are built.  By focusing the development of homes and buildings on the least sensitive areas of the land and conserving ecologically sensitive ones, a better balance can be struck on how we build on the land.


Flat Creek Greenway Brings Sound of Footsteps to Black Mountain

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Conservation Planning | Leave a comment
2May2011

The Town of Black Mountain had a lot to celebrate last week with the official opening of the Flat Creek Greenway.  A ribbon cutting ceremony which included key Town officials, staff, and students from the Elementary School, marked the occasion with great excitement.  Equinox was also present and even acknowledged during the ceremony by the Chairman of Black Mountain Greenway Commission, Julie White, for playing a critical role in the project: “The Black Mountain Greenway Commission is very excited about the opening of the Flat Creek Greenway. We want to thank Equinox Environmental for helping to make this trail a reality. They did the initial landowner outreach and the conceptual master plan for the greenway. Because of this work, when stimulus funds became available we were “shovel ready” and got the funding needed for the project. The work Equinox did for us was instrumental in getting this trail on the ground and we are very grateful for the fine work” said White.

Teachers and students share the excitement of the ribbon-cutting ceremony which inaugurated the new Greenway.

The story for this greenway begins back in 2002 when the Town of Black Mountain identified what was then called the “Primary School Greenway” as a priority link in the Town’s greenway system.  In 2005 the Black Mountain Greenway Commission enlisted the services of Equinox and in 2006 a completed master plan was presented to the residence of Black Mountain. The master plan included a detailed trail alignment, locations for outdoor seating and signage, education stations, trailhead access, removable bollards, and the integration of a stream restoration project.  Fast forward to 2011 and the vision of a greenway that runs along Flat Creek is now a reality.

Children walk the new path lined with tall, old trees which were designated by Equinox to be preserved as a part of the pathway's natural heritage.

This wonderful section of greenway provides a pathway not just for walking and bike riding but also serves as a way for children to walk to school.  The greenway which runs along Flat Creek connects neighborhoods to the north to the Primary School.  The Elementary School and Primary School are also connected via Village Way Greenway in which Equinox also played a role in the layout.  Remember the days of being able to walk to school?  Now also imagine an outdoor learning area that’s at the doorstep of a school to teach about the natural environment – that’s the Flat Creek Green Way!

Kids test out the new footbridge and explore the surrounding areas.

Canebrakes: Relics of the River

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Ecological Services | Leave a comment
25April2011

Equinox Environmental and Duke Energy are working to improve both the cultural and ecological significance along the Tuckasegee River at the site of the former Dillsboro Dam which was removed in 2010 in Dillsboro NC.  Equinox worked with Duke Energy and others to design the ecological restoration and stabilization of the river banks at the site after the dam was taken out.  We helped replant the areas with native grasses, herbs, and trees, then took it a step further and coordinated with Duke Energy to design a river cane transplant as part of the river bank restoration.

Scott Fletcher, Senior Scientist with Duke Energy, and Owen Carson of Equinox amend the soil around transplants with hardwood mulch, decreasing the competition for resources by surrounding vegetation.

River cane (Arundinaria gigantea) was historically a very important species to both humans and wildlife in Western North Carolina.  The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) used the native bamboo for a variety of crafts, including woven baskets and fire-forged blowguns.  The re-establishment of cane brakes, or large contiguous areas of river cane, is important to the EBCI, as it reinforces their cultural heritage and provides supplies for beautiful and useful crafts.

In ecological terms, river cane was historically abundant in WNC, reaching heights up to 12m (39 ft.) and covering as much as 15 square km (5.8 square miles) or 3,706.6 acres!  However, following European settlement and agricultural development, cane brakes, which occur in rich, bottomland areas, were nearly destroyed altogether as their occupied habitat was converted to farmland.  These past forests supported plentiful fauna, including several wildlife species now extinct: Bachman’s warbler, the Passenger pigeon, and the Carolina parakeet.  These species most likely were lost when their key habitat was so significantly depleted.

Owen Carson of Equinox trims back the culms from a recently-dug clump of river cane.

All hope is not lost, though.  Remnant brakes still exist, and the donor site used in this transplant was quite impressive.  Cane to be transplanted was carefully uprooted from the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee’s (LTLT) Bottomland Preserve in Franklin, NC and transported to Dillsboro.  Approximately 50 clumps of cane with three or more stalks attached were transplanted in a small terraced floodplain, and the surrounding soil was mulched with thick hardwood chips to decrease competition from other vegetation; this ensures the initial success and establishment the cane needs to survive in the first two years.  A heavy rain moved through on the evening of the planting, furthering their chance of survival – we were all excited with such perfect conditions!  Our hope is that these clumps will quickly expand, creating a functional remnant of the now-threatened ecosystem.

All in all, the river cane work at Dillsboro could not have gone smoother.  Many thanks to the LTLT’s Land Stewardship Director, Dennis Desmond, for providing access to the cane brake found on their protected land.  Also, many thanks to Duke Energy for putting so much time and effort into enhancing the cultural and ecological value of the Dillsboro Dam site.  This was a hugely successful project, and Equinox was proud to be a part of it!

These clumps of cane have been transplanted into their new habitat; the patch lies atop a short, terraced floodplain adjacent to the mighty Tuckasegee River.

-Owen Carson, Field Technician

Spring Orchids of North Carolina

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Ecological Services | Leave a comment
12April2011

Nationally-renowned orchid enthusiast Stanley L. Bentley once shared some words of wisdom about this part of the world:

“This is a land of mature trees and open grasslands, a land of large mammals and small birds, a land of sunshine and rain, a land of spring wildflowers and autumn colors; it is a land of life in myriad forms. There is no other place quite like the southern Appalachian Mountains.”  (Native Orchids of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, 3)

The words are true enough, illustrated by our regional National Forests, our wonderful air, land, and water. And they speak to the diversity of life found within these ecosystems. Today I will focus on a small part of that diversity, Western North Carolina’s incredible array of native spring orchids.

The Southern Appalachian Mountains have thawed, giving rise to an amazing collection of spring flowering plants. Plenty of trout lily, trillium, rues and rhododendron, wildflowers which are commonplace in our minds, will be seen in abundance.  Amidst these simple flowers lies an array of spring orchids which are often overlooked.

One of the first to emerge is the showy orchis (Orchis spectabilis).  This small orchid breaks the ground with an ovate, soft green leaf.  Soon, fertile individuals will send up a short flowering stalk, maturing to reveal ‘showy’ purple and white hooded flowers with a faint but pleasant scent.  In the right habitat, the showy orchis occurs abundantly; moist, rich woodland coves host the most viable populations.  Be on the lookout for these at this very moment, and expect them to last through the month of April (and into May, in cooler microhabitats).

One interesting genus of leafless orchids, Corallorhiza, emerges in late spring as well.  But you’ve got to be sharp to find these unique plants.  Their flowering stalks emerge to reach an average of one foot.  Most species bear small, inconspicuous blooms on a relatively camouflaged stalk.  However, one special species, spotted coralroot, produces beautiful flowers, reminiscent of tropical orchid species you’d find in a flower shop.  Keep you eyes peeled as you’re hiking through moist, wooded forest with some canopy breaks in mid-to-late spring…you might spot one of these delicate coralroots!

Last but not least come the lady’s slippers, (Cyprepedium spp.), some of the more well-known orchids in the southern Appalachians.  Older, sloping pine/hemlock plantations are great habitats for the pink lady’s slipper (C. acaule).  These unique orchids have attractive wide basal leaves which give rise to a flowering stalk with a single terminal bloom (sometimes, rarely, there will be two blooms per stalk).  The lady’s slipper is so named because of the shape of the prominent labellum, or lip, which somewhat resembles a ballet slipper.  Yellow lady’s slippers (C. parviflorum var parviflorum) are less common, and exist in small populations across widely varying habitats.  Both species are watch-listed in North Carolina; the pink is often ‘poached’ from its natural setting, while the yellow’s populations have been showing decline in recent years.

This spring, get outside and enjoy these wonderful flowers.  Go orchid hunting, and bring a camera with you to capture their intricate beauty.  Make mental notes of ‘caches’ to which you can return next year.  Show your friends, but always remember that these flowers are an integral part of our natural ecosystems and so they should never be picked or uprooted for transplant, regardless of how attractive they’d be in a garden.  Enjoy the spring forest and all of it’s emergent green glory!

-Owen Carson, Field Technician and Orchid Enthusiast

Stormwater and My Cousin Joe

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Sustainable Landscape Design | Leave a comment
28March2011

A few months ago, my cousin Joe, whom I haven’t spoken to in over a year, contacted me to tell me he had recently purchased a newly constructed home.  The neighborhood in which his home was located was completely graded and cleared of all but a few trees.  Joe stated there was a hill located on the back of his lot, and as a result of the homesite being graded a low area remained at the bottom of this slope that stayed wet year round.  Joe went on to explain that he needed this area for his children to play so he installed a series of underground pipes to drain this area directly into the underground gutter system of the subdivision.  He even managed to extend the gutters from his home directly into this piped system.   He proudly stated to me that “the minute a raindrop hits my yard, it’s gone”.   Finally, Joe went on to share the details of his newly purchased high tech irrigation system to water his newly planted lawn.

In fact, my Cousin Joe’s “solution” was not really a solution at all.  While this traditional construction solved the primary problem of removing rainwater (aka stormwater) from his site as fast as possible, it did not address water quality or the impacts created by sending runoff downstream as quickly as possible.   The irony  was lost on Joe; by directing the water away from his yard, Joe was actually missing out on what Mother Nature was providing him.

Classic bio-swale stormwater retention area.

Although I did not have the heart to tell him, he could have first chosen a more sensitively-sited home that was not cleared of most of the vegetation; tree canopies help break the velocity of falling raindrops, produce tree litter to help absorb some of the rain water, and contribute to the stabilization of the soils with their root systems.  Also, Joe could have simply conveyed the water from this wet area into an attractive feature (backyard wetland or rain garden) via a dry creek bed.  This rain garden could have been planted with native plants that are adapted to periods of wet and dry conditions and do not require resource additions.  The combination of the dry creek bed and the rain garden would slow the velocity of the rainwater and allow the stormwater to be infiltrated back into the ground.  Also, instead of tying his gutters directly into the storm system he could have collected rainwater in a cistern which could be used to irrigate his lawn, saving him the need for a costly and somewhat invasive irrigation system.

An example of the utilization of a dry creek bed to create a beautiful and functional space.

The individual lot or home site provides a wonderful opportunity to effectively address water quality issues. We can harvest rainwater for reuse, treat contaminated rainwater, and provide avenues for rainwater to infiltrate back into the earth in designed ways that are both beautiful and highly functional.   As far as my cousin Joe goes, we were able to craft some creative solutions which salvaged his investment, provided his kids a creek bed to play in, and managed to serve a sustainable function.  At the end of it all, Joe understood that it’s not about getting the rainwater off his property as fast as possible, it’s about thinking how stormwater can be captured, treated, re-used and allowed to infiltrate back into the ground.  It’s about how stormwater can work for you.

-Fred Grogan, RLA

Four $imple Ways a $ustainable Landscape Can $ave You Money

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Sustainable Landscape Design | Leave a comment
15March2011

A landscape that is designed with energy efficiency in mind means thinking of the seasons, in particular the cold winters and warm summers.  The Southern Appalachian region is blessed with moderate temperatures throughout the year but we can be subject to several weeks of very cold weather.  In the mountains, a slight change in elevation translates into a change in temperature by as much as 15 degrees!  In the winter, this can take a cold day and turn it into a bone chilling one.  So while you can dress in layers and use blankets to keep warm inside your house as a way to reduce seasonal energy costs, landscape design can make your indoor living environment more comfortable year round without all of the shivering!

1.   The sun heats for free

A southern orientation allows low-angle winter sunlight to enter a home in the winter and maximizes southern exposure for day lighting and solar access during the rest of the year.  For maximizing the benefits of natural solar heat gain, the longest face of a building should point south and have plenty of windows to let in the sunlight.  Design features of a house and materials used indoors can also help with thermal mass to take full advantage of the suns warming rays.  If the topography is suitable, entire developments can be designed for passive solar benefits.  A good example of this is Davenport Park, a new development in West Asheville, NC.

2.  Accessing or shading the sun may have you re-thinking if money does grow on trees

Trees are terrific for blocking sun or allowing it to pass on through.  This can be done by locating a house to take advantage of shade from existing trees or by planting large deciduous trees near a building/house.  By doing this the following benefits can be realized:

  • During winter the sun can reach far inside a building due to its low angle.  The deciduous trees, which are leafless in winter, can allow as much as 50% of the sun’s rays through to heat the house.
  • During summer, up to 96% of the hot summer sun’s direct rays can be blocked by deciduous trees, which can translate to an energy cost savings of up to 30%.
  • Shading the roof of a house from the summer sun can reduce temperatures as much as 10 degrees.

3.  Get a good defense and block the winter winds

Winter winds can have a major impact on a building’s heating needs.    To block or deflect the prevailing winter winds from reaching a house a dense mix of evergreen trees and shrubs should be planted.  These trees and shrubs can be located to provide the following benefits:

  • A dense winter windbreak can reduce a 30 mph wind to a 10-15 mph wind.
  • A planted windbreak that is 30’ high can push the flow of air up and over a building and can affect wind speed as much as 900 feet away.
  • A well placed windbreak can provide an energy cost savings of as much as 20%.

4.  Let the summer breeze in

Just as winter winds can be blocked, summer breezes can be “funneled” towards our living spaces.    To collect and funnel the effects of cooling summer breezes towards the house, it is recommended that evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs be planted in a V-shaped pattern, tapering as it nears the structure.  For additional cooling add a water feature so the summer breezes blow the surrounding air towards the building.  Air passing over a water feature can add to the cooling effect of a funneled summer breeze.

Landscapes can be designed in such a way that they not only help reduce energy and resource consumption but also help save costs.  Remember, many of these principles can apply to most anywhere in the US, but always require a site analysis to document the direction of the winter and summer winds.  You will quickly realize the benefits afforded by keeping these simple tips in mind as you form your landscape!

-David Tuch, Vice President and Landscape Architect

‘Growing’ Awareness

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Conservation Planning | Leave a comment
1March2011

Each year, the 1st of March brings a new energy.  Perhaps it’s the onset of spring, the budding trees, or the touch of warmer weather.  This time of year, all living creatures, animal and plant alike, are beginning to shed their winter layers and increase their activity levels.  A quick walk through the woods may yield the earliest spring blooms, foraging birds, and your favorite trees may be popping out leaf and flower buds. But as new shoots of native plants emerge, so do those of invasive ones.

Non-native invasive floras, plants which have been introduced from other parts of the world and which are capable of capitalizing on as much open habitat as possible, choke out our native biodiversity.  They grow and reproduce rapidly (most produce viable seed at an earlier age than native species), and are poor sources of nutrition for our native fauna.  In southern forests, non-native invasive floras are one of the biggest and most serious threats to ecological health.

So as the month of March brings better weather, and as plants and animals, native and non-native alike, begin or renew their life cycles, challenges are brought forth as to the preservation of our natural heritage.  In the United States, those challenges are met in the first week of March when National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) kicks off.  NISAW is a national effort to educate people about non-native invasive flora and fauna across the United States.  These species range from Princesstree to fire ants to the Brazilian green porcelain crab, with each species having successfully invaded its respective American ecosystem.  Someone has to do something, right?

Right! The goal of National Invasive Species Awareness Week is to educate, to shed light on the severity of the threat posed by non-native invasive species in America.  An abundance of resources are available to those who want to learn more.  For example, the most recent version of James H. Miller’s Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests was published at the close of 2010.  It is available to the public, and all you have to do is contact the US Forest Service Southern Research Station here in Asheville and let them know you’d like a copy.  There’s also a follow-up publication, A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests (Miller, 2010), which prescribes treatment methods for each respective invasive plant.  These books can help you get rid of invasives in your own yard!

Here at Equinox we work closely with invasive-exotic plant species.  We are a proud partner in the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP); Equinox works with the Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to coordinate volunteers to inventory and treat invasive plant species along sections of the Appalachian Trail.  Funding for the partnership is sourced through grant opportunities made available by the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).  Many of the targeted sections are classified by the NC Natural Heritage Program as Significant Natural Heritage Areas (SNHAs), meaning they contain elements or communities of plant species considered to be important or threatened.  By controlling the spread and development of invasive species in these areas, we are ensuring that those special native plants (and common ones as well) have a chance to survive and multiply.

[Dedicated SACWMP Volunteers]

It is important to educate yourself about invasive-exotic species. Once you begin to understand how their presence affects our natural world, you can see how just one person can make a difference.  When many passionate individuals unite, collaborative efforts begin to produce greater results. Partnerships are born, boundaries are protected, and natural communities are preserved.  This week, we challenge you to make a serious effort to learn, to get involved in the fight against alien invasives.  Check out the NISAW website (www.nisaw.org) for more information, and if you’re inspired to do good work, go to www.sacwmp.org and join the SACWMP mailing list or register to volunteer in the future.  Take the new energy that March brings and put it to work!

Owen Carson - Field Technician

Love Your Community!

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Conservation Planning | 1 Comment
14February2011

Generally, we associate Valentines Day with romantic love. As Human Resource Manager, I think that romantic love should remain separate from the workplace. I however would like to talk about another type of love.

If you will indulge me, I would like to tell you about a group of people that I love. When my daughter started attending kindergarten at Hall Fletcher Elementary School in west Asheville I have to admit, I had some trepidation. Nevertheless, over the years I have grown to deeply care for the school and the people in it. I adore the teachers, staff, and administration. They have made a nurturing and inspiring environment for my daughter. I am continually impressed by their dedication to educate and care for all the children at that school. I love the children – especially those in the 5th grade whom I have seen grow up. In so many ways, these kids are just as adorable as they were in kindergarten. They always make me feel good when I see them. They come from all different races, ethnicities, backgrounds and economic groups, but they are sweet and kind, to each other and to me. I also feel affection for many of the parents and families of these children. Although I have not walked in all of their shoes, I have seen up close the beauty and the goodness of many of the people in this community.

It is my love for this school that has led me to work (with some very dedicated individuals) on plans for renovating the school’s kindergarten – second grade playground. We have big plans. We all get twinkles in our eyes when we think about the possibilities. We are brought back down to earth as we struggle to find funding in the current economic environment.

I believe it is because of love for the community that Equinox has donated significant amounts of volunteer time to help the school prepare for and create the master plan (below) for the playground. We started with public meetings that included community members, teachers, parents, and students. We asked students at the school to give us their own ‘designs’. We worked to incorporate all these wonderful ideas into a beautiful dream. Now it is my job to make that dream into reality. I recently had the opportunity of presenting this experience at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Charlotte. My presentation focused on the educational, sustainable and community building aspects of this playground renovation. During the presentation, I realized how proud I was of the accomplishments we had made in my community, even though we still have a ways to go.

It’s my hope that the feelings we have towards our loved ones can also be conveyed to our community. I believe it is this kind of love that can make real inroads toward positive change in our world. Let’ not forget love of neighbor during this Valentines Week!

Joyce Brown, Operations Manager, Equinox Environmental Consultation and Design, Inc.

Opponents into Allies – Conservation Success in Muddy Creek

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Conservation Planning | Leave a comment
31January2011


‘Save Your Land!’ ‘No Buffers!’  ‘Don’t Suffer the Buffer’.  Not everyone in McDowell County had these signs in their yard or believed in what these signs stood for, but the atmosphere in the community was certainly highly charged with protest and opposition as the Muddy Creek Restoration Partnership began its efforts in 1998 to restore ecological health to the Muddy Creek watershed.  There was a lot of fear then.  Landowners feared that their land might be taken.  And they had a point because the State of North Carolina, at about that time, was considering regulations that would restrict a person’s right to use his or her property within 50 feet of a stream.  Some of us were also afraid because we were the ones who had to walk up to rural landowners’ doors out in the middle of seemingly nowhere on a cold call and try to recruit them into our conservation projects.  Do visions of guns and dogs come to mind?

The fear is pretty much gone now.  In its place is a lot of trust.  Some of the vocal opponents of regulated stream buffers have now become friends and allies of the all voluntary Muddy Creek Restoration Partnership.  How does this transformation take place?

I think it starts with trying to meet people right where they are.  Suspending the prejudice and judgment and trying to understand the other persons’ point of view.  It means meeting the landowner when that person has the time – often on Saturday late in the afternoon after the farm work or shopping has been done.  It means connecting on a personal level – like helping an older gentleman split and stack his firewood before having the talk about conservation.  It also helps when the Partnership that Equinox works for is based on voluntary and collaborative participation with willing landowners.  The Muddy Creek Restoration Partnership has never had any regulatory authority and has never wanted it.  We preach that mantra over and over.  Along with that, we quietly show that our conservation solutions can really help.  Good conservation can help a farmer better manage risk.  It can sometimes provide supplemental income.  And buffers, when left alone or replanted properly, can actually protect property from washing away during flood events.  It also helps to have the committed support of Partners who do what they say they will year after year after year.  On the Muddy Creek project, this means the McDowell County Soil and Water Conservation District, Trout Unlimited, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and Duke Energy Corporation.  The Partnership has other valuable members but this group of four has really stood out in its level of commitment.

Sometimes we as people can get too focused on the goal that we lose site of the process.  And that is usually to our detriment.  Equinox’ preferred process is to keep people front and center. ‘Do good work and good work will happen’.  So after 10 years in Muddy Creek, the Partnership has secured 25 miles of stream restoration that is now either on-the-ground, in design or in some stage of negotiation.  Four stormwater BMPs.  Trails and parks.  The economic value of this restoration work and the process to develop it is worth around $18 million.  The project has involved almost 40 different landowners who have voluntarily chosen to participate with us.  The Partnership is still alive and well and maturing.  It has won awards from the NC Wildlife Federation and American Fisheries Society.  We think this is all good work.  Equinox is pleased to be the coordinator and water resource planners on this fine example of conservation collaboration!

-Andy Brown, president, Equinox Environmental Consultation & Design, Inc.


Equinox celebrates 10 years of conservation and sustainability

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
17January2011

As 2010 came to and end, Equinox finished our tenth year in business. We celebrated by throwing a celebratory bash, which was a great way to signify the efforts and hard work of the Equinox team and our loyal supporters and clientele. While we could have easily let this achievement come and go with the consistently bad economic news, we thought it was more important than ever to let people know that not all the news is gloom and doom. “This milestone is a testament to the quality of work produced by the people I work with here at Equinox“, said Andy Brown President of Equinox Environmental. For our celebration we quantified our accomplishments since we started the firm back in 2000. The Equinox Impact Map on our website shows our project history and just how far the firm has come over the past 10 years.

We actually started in a recession as company of four with a vision to create a well-respected conservation and sustainable development firm. In the first few years we had tough times and things didn’t seem to be moving in the direction we wanted. We even considered changing our “green” vision of the firm but made a conscious decision to remain true to our passion. It turns out this was the right decision. “We were green before it became trendy, so we’ve had an opportunity to develop our skills and abilities through experience and, with that, our reputation” said Brown.

We have had some extraordinary projects over the last few years which are getting noticed such as the award winning Muddy Creek Partnership and the award winning conservation based development Drovers Road Preserve. Just this past year, we worked on the high profile Dillsboro Shoreline Restoration which saw the removal of the Dillsboro Dam and the restoration of the banks of the Tuckaseegee River. We also just completed an 18 mile greenway feasibility study for Buncombe County that will connect Azalea Park in Asheville with Black Mountain. These are just a few projects that have helped Equinox reach the 10 year mark. In collaboration with our clientele and with the support of our community, we have accomplished a lot over our past 10 years. We start 2011 with a lot to be proud of!

Equinox’ Impact Map

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
1November2010

Check out the new Equinox Impact Map to see where, how, and with whom we have been fulfilling our mission over the last decade. Many thanks to all of our clients. Our success would not be possible without you and the confidence and trust you place in us. We intend to continue providing you with the same high quality services and products that you have come to rely upon.

Be sure to also look at Equinox’ Response to Global Climate Change. Learn more about how, over the next 10 years, we intend to extend our capacity to help clients reduce their carbon footprints, mitigate for excess carbon emissions and adapt to a changing climate.

Fred Grogan Selected as Technical Advisor for NC Sediment Control Commission

Posted by owen@equinoxenvironmental.com in Sustainable Landscape Design | 1 Comment
1November2010

Fred Grogan of Equinox Environmental

Fred Grogan, registered landscape architect at Equinox, was recently appointed to serve on the NC Sediment Control Commission Technical Advisory Committee. As an advisor, Fred was also appointed to serve on a Task Force focusing on sediment control in the western NC mountain region. Fred says, “I am honored to serve my state and the general environmental community at large in trying to protect our valued natural resources.”