Greenspace graduates from UnCommon Sense

The company’s commitment to UnCommon Sense had been building for a number of years: Micheline Halpin and her husband started Greenspace in 1994 and worked out of their home for ten years before moving to the office, shop and nursery located at 34039 Frontage Road. “Over the years, we realized we had become a pretty resource consumptive business,” states Micheline. “We started to analyze how we operate and looked at the waste we produce, from office paper to fossil fuels, to poly pipe used for irrigation, to steel used in landscaping and everything in between.

The YBP program helped them implement ‘serious’ changes to make the business sustainable. For example, crews work four ten-hour days to reduce gas consumption; There is now a separate recycling yard for all waste recycling; Leaf and grass debris is composted; Soil is recycled and combined with compost to create a rich topsoil (last year the company recycled 200 yards of soil in three months); Everything possible from the office, shop and jobsites (including after-work beer cans!) is recycled; Overuse of river rock is discouraged, as it heats up planting beds and dries out the soil and plants.

Landscape design and installation practices have also been sustainably upgraded: clients are encouraged to consider smaller bluegrass turf areas and use native grasses and plants, cutting down on water usage and maintenance. The company uses permeable pavers and natural stone to reduce runoff and allow rainwater to become groundwater, and rain barrels to capture natural rainfall for use during dry periods. They promote and design water-efficient irrigation systems that include rain sensors, drip, and other new / modern irrigation technology, including smart controllers. “Conventional controllers rely on timing alone,” states Halpin. “Smart controllers use factors such as weather and soil moisture to adjust watering schedules.” They allow the system to water when plants need it and reduce or eliminate watering when they don’t need it. This technology reduces the use of water in the landscape. Research shows that most homeowners overwater by 30 - 70%. There are a variety of systems available, but quality controllers work off both a weather station and a soil sensor so that it is specific to your plants’ needs. “The rain this season is a great example: If you just have a weather station installed, if its not raining, the system will irrigate. If you also have the soil sensor, the irrigation will read how much moisture is in the soil and only water when it is on the dry end.”

Greenspace also specializes in designing reclaimed materials into landscapes. Old farm equipment is used for water features, mining boxes are used as planters, and hand cut slabs of granite make great steps and benches. “We take into account how our business practices will impact both customers and employees, wildlife habitat, environment, and the value and equity of a property,” says Micheline. “We feel like we can make a positive impact — educating customers and streamlining internal waste reduction processes.” For fruther information on the YBP UnCommon Sense program, contact Heather Burdette at hburdette@ yellowstonebusiness.org or 600-6617.