tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17068283099060064682024-03-12T21:17:58.950-07:00Florida Green & Sustainable BMPsKevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-54120567026515344022012-03-23T05:15:00.000-07:002012-03-23T05:15:54.148-07:00Florida Stormwater Pond Provides Amazing Communal and Foraging Habitat for Migratory Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stormwater ponds can provide amazing habitat for wildlife. Over the years I've heard numerous reasons by well-meaning regulatory staff for not planting wetland trees and plants around stormwater ponds. Arguing stormwater ponds contain toxins and pollutants, Water Management District staff balked at allowing littoral shelf plantings, fearful of attracting birds.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Stormwater ponds planted with cypress along littoral shelves</td></tr>
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Being out in the field as often as I am though, it was easy to see that regardless of plantings or no plantings, migratory birds would show up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Stormwater ponds create an important ecosystem i the Urban Core</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The following series of photographs are of a marvelous stormwater pond in St. Augustine planted with cypress and other aquatic plants. I was totally amazed at the sheer number and variety of birds utilizing the facility for communal and foraging habitat. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Pelican fishing the Stormwater Pond</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I suggest stormwater ponds are going to be visited by migratory and local birds regardless of littoral shelf plantings. So if the birds are coming, might as well allow littoral plantings and provide much needed habitat within the urban core.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anhingas, and Wood Ducks utilize the Urban Core water body</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Stormwater Ponds provide habitat for Herons with lots of fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Stormwater Ponds and Wood Ducks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anhingas are skilled Stormwater Pond fishers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Spoonbill rests in Florida Stormwater Pond cypress</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Stormwater Pond and Canadian Geese</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seeagulls also visit Florida Stormwater Ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Stormwater Ponds provide habitat for Marsh Hens and Coots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wetland Trees in Stormwater Ponds provide roosts for Herons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robins fill the trees around Stormwater Ponds</td></tr>
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<br />Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-13619893856776303812012-03-14T19:35:00.002-07:002012-03-14T19:35:58.003-07:00Florida Floating Wetlands Clean Stormwater (A Launch)Here is a YouTube Video short clip on our Florida Floating Wetlands platforms. These systems function as a floating littoral shelf, providing wildlife habitat, cleaning water and covering otherwise bare stormwater management facilities with beautiful native aquatic plants.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/D4NkCJwrWeE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
For more information on Florida Floating Wetlands visit http://floatingwetlands.blogspot.com or call us 904-446-8620.Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-32961578139402297582012-02-25T05:21:00.000-08:002012-02-25T05:21:14.664-08:00Florida Stormwater Canals Provide Much Benefit to Ecology - Keep Herbicides Away!We have an amazing stormwater canal in our neighborhood, brimming with ecological benefit. Most people however turn up their noses at the sight of our ditch.<br />
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Granted, all stormwater canals are excavated. Excavated ditches usually are created to drain wonderful wetlands and floodplain areas. But there is no going back to forests in our well developed neighborhood and our stormwater canal is here to stay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida stormwater Canal, rich in #Biodiversity</td></tr>
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The ecological benefits of our Stormwater canal are many.<br />
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She provides an incubation sanctuary for the many small tadpoles and amphibians who later feast on the pest insects in our permaculture garden. If I chose an ideal location to raise a pest control army, the canal would be optimum.<br />
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Spring is approaching here in Northeast Florida and each time I walk to the edge of the ditch I am amazed at the amount of biodiversity hosted within the tannin stained waters.<br />
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Native wetland plants line the edges and along with grasses and sedges provide effective filtration systems for the rainfall runoff, cleaning the water before the runoff has a chance to reach local estuaries and the ocean.<br />
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Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous are scavenged from the water and locked up within plant biomass, sequestering the toxins mankind has spewed into our environment.<br />
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The complexity of animal and plant interactions is simply amazing. The biodiversity is rich. The food chain is well developed, from the algae eaters to the swallow-tail kites, <i>Elanoides forficatus</i> hovering above.<br />
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No, the ditch is not over run with rats, mice, snakes or other vermin. A balanced ecosystem will remain in harmony with our human needs. Our ditch provides pest control for our garden, fresh air for our backyard, wildlife habitat, cleans pollutants from adjacent roads, sequesters carbon and other toxins, attenuates flooding waters, offers many great photography opportunities, creates a barrier between our yard and our neighbors and more!<br />
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That is until the City comes to call with their annual herbicide application.<br />
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Where the idea of dead everything somehow is beneficial comes from, I don't know.<br />
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But sadly, many community's perception of neatness and sanitation lies in a starkly barren stormwater canal, devoid of all life, a mere excavated and mechanical culvert of water flow.<br />
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Nature cannot be held down for long though, and life returns each year.<br />
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Unfortunately, the herbicide applications simply take all the sequestered nutrients and toxins and release them right back into the waterway.<br />
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Harvesting biomass through mowing and leaf litter collection, removal and composting would offer significantly more ecological benefits. TMDL credits, compost and other benefits could be achieved. Waterways would become cleaner. <br />
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Maybe someday, but probably not in my lifetime. The herbicide applicator has a job to do.Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-9359449719568422552011-01-30T08:54:00.000-08:002013-06-20T04:42:08.048-07:00Florida Forebay Wetland Cleans Stormwater and Provides LandscapeOur Stormscrubber wetland has passed its eighteen month install date anniversary and still providing successful stormwater treatment, storage and landscape credit.<br />
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We installed the StormScrubber in May 2009 on the site of an upscale cafe in the Springfield Historic restoration district in Jacksonville, Florida.<br />
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The prior to the install, the site had serious flooding and stormwater problems.<br />
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The StormScrubber Wetland solved the stormater runoff issue and provided landscape beauty and credit all in one package.<br />
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The site presented several significant issues. There was the potential for system clogging because of the sandy and silty nature of the soils. A permeable paver system using historic bricks was installed to direct the stormwater into the wetland system.<br />
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The wetland was planted with Florida native species that could tolerate both inundation and drought.<br />
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The wetland system incorporates a special self pruning system to keep roots from filling up the infiltration-void storage chamber.<br />
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To date the StormScrubber has preformed as expected, cleaning runoff, storing the rainwater underground and using the collected stormwater to irrigate the landscape feature plant species.<br />
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The new paradigm in site design is the combination of landscape units with rainwater storage. Call us today for more information on how Green and Sustainable BMPs can help maximize your project's design efficiency.<br />
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StormScrubber 2009<br />
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StormScrubber 2010<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-15219170022230393982010-11-15T07:24:00.000-08:002011-01-30T16:27:27.877-08:00Modular RainWater Harvesting Systems - Cost-Effective BMP<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFPm6V9S1I/AAAAAAAACKE/xFrd3ZHMUPk/s1600/house-w-rainwater-harvesting-for-green-roofs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFPm6V9S1I/AAAAAAAACKE/xFrd3ZHMUPk/s320/house-w-rainwater-harvesting-for-green-roofs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EcoRain Underground Rainwater Harvesting System</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Blog Post on Stormwater Harvesting Reprinted <a href="http://www.kevinsonger.blogspot.com/" target="new">from the Green Roof Blog </a><br />
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We've talked about water crises and irrigation of green roofs many times before. Designing a green roof irrigation system to run off of rainwater instead of potable water is easy.<br />
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One of the biggest disadvantages of large rainwater tanks before has been the freight expense of bringing a large tank from the manufacturer to the site.<br />
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Many times the cost of freight exceeded the cost of the tank - and there are not many tank manufacturers so the tanks may have had to been hauled across the country. Long freight hauls create large carbon footprints.<br />
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However, several new structural Rainwater Harvesting Systems are now available on the market that are collapsable and can easily be assembled on-site. <a href="http://undergroundstormwater.blogspot.com/p/underground-stormwater-project-examples.html" target="new">For a video of a very large underground rainwater collection system in Dallas, Texas click here (opens in a new window).</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFPytq30CI/AAAAAAAACKI/IPoN3lp8iNg/s1600/house-rainwater-harvesting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFPytq30CI/AAAAAAAACKI/IPoN3lp8iNg/s320/house-rainwater-harvesting2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainwater Harvesting Design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the more green subdivisions in Gainesville, Florida, the Madera Subdivision, utilizes underground collection and storage of stormwater in several of their homes.<br />
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Collection of rainwater and subsequent irrigation of green roofs can be a valid method for allowing larger buildings on Urban Core lots previously designed with much smaller impervious allotment. This applies also to historic residential areas where renovations are occurring. <br />
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Importantly, the Green Roof design needs to anticipate periods of natural drought where stored rainwater may be depleted.<br />
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The use of potable water should be only used in certain instances, and the green roof plant selection should reflect species that can utilize the stored rainwater, however are also drought tolerant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFQAhu727I/AAAAAAAACKM/-Iy3w7PEI70/s1600/House-rainwater-harvesting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFQAhu727I/AAAAAAAACKM/-Iy3w7PEI70/s320/House-rainwater-harvesting1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EcoRain Underground Rainwater Harvesting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Typical Underground Rainwater Storage Systems for Green Roof irrigation are designed and installed with little effort.<br />
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First the seasonal high groundwater level should be determined. This can be accomplished with the civil engineer or geotechnical expert. For the homeowner, simply take a shovel, I prefer a set of post hole-diggers, and dig a small hole down until wet soil or water appears.<br />
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The Green Roof Underground Stormwater Harvesting System should be primarily installed above the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_table" target="new">Seasonal High Ground Water Level.</a><br />
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Size your storage system to hold a 24-hour storm event quantity for the surface area of the roof you are collecting from. <a href="http://www.arcsa-usa.org/" target="new">ARCSA has a <b>great</b> website about sizing and designing systems - click here - opens in a new window.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFQNNixCZI/AAAAAAAACKQ/odGIjfuc6G0/s1600/EcoRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFQNNixCZI/AAAAAAAACKQ/odGIjfuc6G0/s1600/EcoRT.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modular Rainwater Storage Tank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You can use <a href="http://www.solarpumps.com/?gclid=CJvMjIbioqUCFRJS2godeQ7AHA" target="new">solar pumps to pump the water back up from the rainwater harvesting cistern to the green roof. </a><br />
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Remember, we a growing population on this globe and conservation of all water resources is important. Ensure your green roof plant designer is using species that are friendly to conservation of water!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFQaxYvSHI/AAAAAAAACKU/zR61H9uaIsc/s1600/rainwater-harvesting-tank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TOFQaxYvSHI/AAAAAAAACKU/zR61H9uaIsc/s400/rainwater-harvesting-tank.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Rainwater Harvesting System</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As always, feel free to c<a href="mailto:kevin@metroverde.com">ontact us with your questions!</a>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-14484176332067889732010-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:002010-11-12T11:21:49.171-08:00Typha - Cattails, Stormwater Ponds, Roundup, Nutrients In-Nutrients Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2JwvCrtXI/AAAAAAAACIw/ZiiRMIpLyJk/s1600/Stormwater+bmps+cattails+pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2JwvCrtXI/AAAAAAAACIw/ZiiRMIpLyJk/s400/Stormwater+bmps+cattails+pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Killing cattails, Typha latifolia with roundup in a sormwater pond and leaving the plants int he pond to decompose is a sure-fire way of being obvious about not understanding nutrient removal (Nitrogen and Phosphorous) and other pollutants from a stormwater facility.<br />
<br />
How often have you seen vast stretches of cattails killed by the action of Roundup's active ingredient - Glyphosate - "GLY-PHO-SATE".<br />
<br />
Monsanto has often spoke of the safety of Roundup and I've even seen Roundup representatives drinking the diluted mixture.<br />
<br />
Does a wicked job on plants though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2NWw9kVqI/AAAAAAAACI0/0E0fhTITqEE/s1600/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2NWw9kVqI/AAAAAAAACI0/0E0fhTITqEE/s320/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Cattails are a pioneer species and quite persistent in their growth patterns being classified as noxious by many agencies though they are a native species here in Florida.<br />
<br />
Cattails are one of the most efficient species at uptaking pollutant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Typha is also an excellent mechanism for removal of heavy metals and other contaminants from stormwater.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2NpRdhJiI/AAAAAAAACI4/A299S64M-TI/s1600/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2NpRdhJiI/AAAAAAAACI4/A299S64M-TI/s320/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So here in Florida -and elsewhere - by the time Typha is killed back by the frost, Roundup or reaches maturity as a plant, large quantities of pollutants have been removed from stormwater and sequestered in the plants biomass.<br />
<br />
It is in this part of the equation where we need to break the cycle of Nutrients In Nutrients Out.<br />
<br />
Take roundup, kill the cattails - let them fall back into the pond and all the heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorous, oils and greases and other contaminants are soon released right back into the water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2N6VngVGI/AAAAAAAACI8/GXIsU2VFuYc/s1600/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2N6VngVGI/AAAAAAAACI8/GXIsU2VFuYc/s320/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Roundup use concentrates nutrient and pollutant concentrations in stormwater ponds.<br />
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Typha and Algae blooms react the same way to the Nutrients In Nutrients Out equation.<br />
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Plants are efficient at removing pollutants and cleaning water.<br />
<br />
Yet if the plants are killed and allowed to decay in the pond, then all the pollutants and nutrients are re-released right back into the waterbody.<br />
<br />
The Nutrients In Nutrients Out cycle must be broken to finally clean stormwater.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2SyE8wiJI/AAAAAAAACJA/gg_vAA59rpI/s1600/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TN2SyE8wiJI/AAAAAAAACJA/gg_vAA59rpI/s320/ACF+UrbanGreen2010.034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Harvesting Typha and removing the species from stormwater ponds is the best long term answer to nutrient removal.<br />
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The cattails can then be composted and, after <em>Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure tests </em>(TCLP) the composted biomass can be used as mulch or nutrient rich fertilizer.<br />
<br />
Understanding the Nutrients In Nutrients Out cycle is critical to effective and sustainable control of stormwater pollution.<br />
<br />
Copper Sulfate and Glyphosate have their rightful place.<br />
<br />
To keep ponds sustainable clean - their must also include a Nutrients Out component.<br />
<br />
Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated!<br />
<br />
Kevin<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-41455448891759319352010-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:002010-11-10T08:04:53.815-08:00Stormwater and Arboriculture - Cypress Landscapes for Stormwater Ponds, Habitat, Traffic and more!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TNq-rFH5r0I/AAAAAAAACIA/IEvzJ-owU0M/s1600/stormwater%2Bcypress%2Bprune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TNq-rFH5r0I/AAAAAAAACIA/IEvzJ-owU0M/s320/stormwater%2Bcypress%2Bprune.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stormwater Landscaping with Cypress Trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stormwater ponds function better with appropriate landscapes such as the cypress trees depicted in the photo to the left.<br />
<br />
Many here in Florida argue that stormwater ponds should be free and clear of vegetation. Some of their arguments include lines of reasoning such as;<br />
<ul><li>Stormwater ponds are polluted and plants attract wildlife that in turn could be harmed by the polluted water</li>
<li>However regardless of plants or no plants, wildlife come to stormwater ponds anyway</li>
<li>Here in Florida woodstorks and sandhill cranes are often seen fishing around stormwater ponds</li>
</ul>Importantly, plants around stormwater ponds help clean the stormwater and provide a host of other benefits.<br />
<br />
Cypress, Taxodium spp., is especially a good tree to plant around stormwater facilities.<br />
<br />
Reasons I choose Cypress as the number one Florida Stormwater species are;<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Cypress is a native Florida plant</li>
<li>Cypress has a low leaf litter rate - THIS IS IMPORTANT</li>
<ul><li>other wetland species native to Florida, such as Blackgum, Nyssa spp. contribute enormous amounts of leaf litter to the stormwater pond, rapidly filling up the volume and requiring significant maintenance</li>
</ul><li>Cypress provides important habitat for wildlife including - </li>
<ul><li>Communal habitat, and</li>
<li>Foraging habitat</li>
</ul><li>Cypress can be pruned easily for safety</li>
<ul><li>Refer to the above photo of the stormwater pond adjacent a heavily traveled intersection.</li>
<li>The lower limbs of the Cypress can be pruned high enough to allow drivers to possess a safe range of view and see automobiles approaching in other directions.</li>
</ul><li>Cypress tolerates drought - long periods once established</li>
<li>Cypress tolerates innundation</li>
<li>Cypress grows well in modular wetlands </li>
<li>Cypress contributes towards volume recovery - did you know the Florida water management districts allow for recovery efficiencies from evapotranspiration? See Chapter 40C-42 SJRWMD and others.</li>
</ul>All in all - Cypress is the best plant for sustainable stormwater systems in Florida!<br />
<br />
KevinKevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-89765837023263024152010-11-10T05:58:00.000-08:002011-01-30T16:42:34.725-08:00Florida Underground Stormwater Systems, LEED Compliant, Made in USA and Cost-EffectiveEcoRain Underground stormwater systems are a great way to integrate stormwater systems underground and into your site's parking area and landscape areas.<br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kz5yCxfNZYI?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kz5yCxfNZYI?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-29798186072453818972010-11-04T02:45:00.000-07:002010-11-04T02:45:39.403-07:00Storm Drain Filter Made From Groundcloth - Innovations On-SiteThe photo below was taken along a road in Jacksonville, Florida where the contractor had installed a new water supply line.<br />
<br />
During construction the existing sidewalk and asphalt road edge were excavated, along with dirt from the water supply line trench.<br />
<br />
After the new supply line was installed, the dirt, rock and debris covered the surface.<br />
<br />
Normally a contractor would plant rye-grass, clover or some other fast-growing cover crop to prevent erosion and stabilize the ground.<br />
<br />
Apparently the surface stabilization did not occur as vegetation was not present. However it may have been unsuccessfully attempted as the area is in the middle of a five week drought and with zero irrigation available the seeds may not have sprouted. Sod was not installed.<br />
<br />
The area is important as it lies adjacent the St. Johns River. Any discharge of silt and trash to the storm sewer would be a direct discharge to either a tributary to or the St. John's River itself.<br />
<br />
The contractor deserves credit though for an innovative approach to erosion prevention.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TNJ_HGK4QrI/AAAAAAAACFM/4ktBZAqW0EU/s1600/stormwater+felt+drain+filter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TNJ_HGK4QrI/AAAAAAAACFM/4ktBZAqW0EU/s400/stormwater+felt+drain+filter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protecting Stormwater Drains from Pollution</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Granted the drain appears to be on the verge of becoming overwhelmed with siltation and gravel, but as I looked into the cover, the fabric - the ground cover was a heavier weight allowing for water to run through while preventing trash from entering the sewer system - the fabric was still intact.<br />
<br />
There are obvious disadvantages to this system.<br />
<br />
However first of all, the fabric is doing what it was intended to do - keep debris and silt out of the stormwater system.<br />
<br />
Yet it may be overwhelmed with the volume of silt.<br />
<br />
How strong is the fabric and how long will it last?<br />
<br />
If the fabric is strong enough to hold up during a heavy rain, will it clog and back up, causing a potential safety hazard with ponding in the road?<br />
<br />
Is the fabric a better and safer approach than say an Erosion Eel or other type of barrier?<br />
<br />
We will keep photos posted as rain events occur.<br />
<br />
Your comments and thoughts are welcome.<br />
<br />
KevinKevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-68860618986049479652010-10-21T03:21:00.000-07:002010-10-21T03:21:45.759-07:00Floating Wetlands Offer Many Benefits - Efficiency Testing at UFFloating wetlands have been discussed here before. They clean stormwater, provide significant wildlife habitat and create beauty.<br />
<br />
The photo below was taken Wednesday, October 20th and is of a test platform in Gainesville, Florida where the University of Florida is conducting tests on the system.<br />
<br />
The white barrier around the Floating Wetland isolates the water column and allows for analysis of the water immediately adjacent the system and system roots.<br />
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For more information on floating wetland systems, <a href="mailto:kevin@metroverde.com">contact us today.</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TMAUGgz3PtI/AAAAAAAACDk/OvaPydg-4D8/s400/floating+wetlands+gainseville.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating Wetland - Testing for Water Quality</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TMAUGgz3PtI/AAAAAAAACDk/OvaPydg-4D8/s1600/floating+wetlands+gainseville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-57351413130283983262010-10-21T03:00:00.000-07:002010-10-21T03:05:32.292-07:00Wetland and BioSwale Creation in Floodplain AreasFloodplain compensation based on storage volume typically must be the same for pre-development and post development conditions here in Florida. That is unless your site is adjacent a tidal area.<br />
<br />
Many times these 'dug holes' are simply dry, ugly holes in the ground.<br />
<br />
However, by excavating the floodplain compensation area down a little deeper the end result can produce a beautiful, functioning wetland or BioSwale with immense benefit.<br />
<br />
Since floodplain compensation credit is given for volumes created above seasonal high groundwater elevations, over excavation by a couple additional feet ( one meter or so) can produce hydrology necessary for the functioning system.<br />
<br />
The BioSwale pictured in the photo is located in central Florida. It is created in a floodplain compensation area and is approximately two years old.<br />
<br />
The beauty of this system is its capacity to clean water with plants and the habitat provided for endemic wildlife.<br />
<br />
Yesterday we were reviewing success progress of plant establishment on the site and witnesses Sandhill cranes, deer, raccoons, alligators, fish, snipes, kestrels and other species using the created BioSwale. Moreover, many of the aquatic plants were flowering.<br />
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Next time you design a project with floodplain compensation, consider over-excavating a little and creating a BioSwale. <a href="mailto:kevin@metroverde.com">Feel free to email us with questions. Kevin. </a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TMAPDyDZ7UI/AAAAAAAACDg/-alFSOsrNc4/s400/sustainable+stormwater+bmps+floopplain+wetland.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BioSwale - Sustainable Stormwater</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TMAPDyDZ7UI/AAAAAAAACDg/-alFSOsrNc4/s1600/sustainable+stormwater+bmps+floopplain+wetland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-52400730731099864222010-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:002010-10-19T14:11:39.415-07:00Stormwater Strategy - Native Plants for BioSwalesNative plants suitable for stormwater plantings, bioswales and modular wetlands will be the topic of our next several posts.<br />
<br />
Importantly, native species should be the choice for landscaping bioswales nad areas adjacent to and surrounding stormwater facilities.<br />
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Native plant species possess the inherent ability to 'Acclimate' to most sub-ecotones on a site. Moreover, native plant species typically require only enough temporary irrigation to allow themselves to become established. This is important since we live in a time where water supply and reserves have reached critical levels.<br />
<br />
Purple muhly grass is shown below. Also know by the scientific name, Muhlenbergia capillaris, purple muhly grass benefits a site in many different ways, including;<br />
<br />
1. acts as a filter preventing trash from entering the water's edge,<br />
2. uptakes pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon,<br />
3. produces oxygen,<br />
4. provides significant foraging and communal habitat for wildlife, and<br />
5. creates beauty.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TL4IWpfXqOI/AAAAAAAACDM/G6M6Fp5Ui5U/s400/stormwater+native+species+muhly+grass.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple muhly grass, native stormwater area-bioswale plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TL4IWpfXqOI/AAAAAAAACDM/G6M6Fp5Ui5U/s1600/stormwater+native+species+muhly+grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Purple muhly grass can tolerate periodic inundation, high groundwater tables and also is very resiliant to drought.<br />
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Though many consider native plants - 'weeds' - a sharp landscape designer can take native flowering species and accomplish much.<br />
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Consider using native species for your next bioswale project, especially Muhlenbergia capillaris - purple muhly grass.<br />
<br />
<a href="mailto:kevin@metroverde.com">Please feel free to email us with your gren and sustainable bmp questions.</a><br />
<br />
KevinKevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-92160016388266781842010-10-10T17:16:00.000-07:002010-10-10T17:16:09.253-07:00Sustainable Gabions for Stormwater - Mining Rock ObsoleteGabions have always been popular as an erosion control BMP or as a more eco-friendly and low impact development for stemwalls or retaining walls.<br />
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Oyster shell filled gabions can eliminate harmful mining of rock and offer a sustainable alternative to stone filled baskets.<br />
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Oyster shells can be purchased along the Gulf Coast, or ordered from your local stone company.<br />
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Perfect for LEED Certified projects, be sure to specify oyster shell gabions on your next project.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TLJXBlbAabI/AAAAAAAACAU/h55XJfkLLj0/s400/stormwater+bmp+oyster+shell+gabions.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oyster Shell Gabions - Sustainable BMPs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TLJXBlbAabI/AAAAAAAACAU/h55XJfkLLj0/s1600/stormwater+bmp+oyster+shell+gabions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-27986714799512084232010-10-09T04:22:00.000-07:002010-10-09T04:23:59.542-07:00Bio-Retention Treatment Train Serves as Low Imapct Development Stormwater System, Cleaning Runoff and Providing Habitat for University of North FloridaThe low impact designed bio-retention stormwater treatment system shown in the below photos successfully cleans stormwater, provides wildlife with habitat and forage, and is an attractive landscape feature.<br />
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Stormwater runoff from the University of North Florida parking lot drains into the swale vegetated with native herbaceous groundcovers including Frog Fruit (Phyla or Lippia), Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle) and other species.<br />
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The runoff filters into the soils and the surrounding plant roots act biologically to remove nitrogen, phosphorous and other pollutants.<br />
<br />
During hard storms, the excess stormwater runoff overflows into a larger, wet-meadow type system. In this system plants and trees such as Cypress, Wax Myrtle, Muhly Grass and Andropogon conduct the same nutrient uptake and evapo-transpiration processes yet on a larger scale.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, the bio-retention system replaces open-water, mosquito breeding ponds. The UNF system efficiently accomplishes stormwater cleansing, provides wildlife with communal habitat and foraging stock, and creates a pallet of native beauty.<br />
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Hopefully, site designers will utilize the proven and effective bio-retention technology for site development in the future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TLBP5qavGoI/AAAAAAAAB_c/_1LsJdSAI2I/s400/bioretention+stormwater+low+impact+development+unfa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bio-retention Swale for Low Impact Development, UNF</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TLBP5qavGoI/AAAAAAAAB_c/_1LsJdSAI2I/s1600/bioretention+stormwater+low+impact+development+unfa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TLBQKYc7JCI/AAAAAAAAB_g/CPVyebuWGVk/s400/bioretention+stormwater+low+impact+development+unfb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bio-Retention Meadow or Wet-Prairie Type SWMF, UNF</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TLBQKYc7JCI/AAAAAAAAB_g/CPVyebuWGVk/s1600/bioretention+stormwater+low+impact+development+unfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-56017948673724392282010-10-05T05:44:00.000-07:002010-10-05T05:44:45.641-07:00Stormwater Habitat for Ecosystem Creation - University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USAStormwater ponds do not have to be ugly.<br />
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In fact, there are some very creative and ecologically successful, healthy and prospering stormwater management facilities doubling as wildlife habitat, natural areas and ecosystem restoration/creation projects.<br />
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Take for instance the University of North Florida's master stormwater facility just to the east of Highway 9A and north of J.T. Butler Blvd. in Jacksonville Florida.<br />
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This stormwater facility offers wildlife habitat, cleans stormwater and importantly, provides a sense of place for students and the community at large.<br />
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Numerous hiking trails, well maintained can be found around the stormwater management facility.<br />
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The water is clear, supports a variety of native vegetation, provides a place for students to canoe and the sight-seeing is awesome!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">University of North Florida Stormwater Pond's Ecosystem</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TKscTnqUefI/AAAAAAAAB9k/U_zR8GuUZ1E/s1600/DSC00987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">University of North Florida Stormwater Pond's Ecosystem</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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The stormwater pond is hardly recognizable as a man-made feature other than the semi-square shape. The facility/ecosystem has developed beautiful littoral shelves and hosts numerous wildlife species.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNF Stormwater Pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TKsdLuWGwrI/AAAAAAAAB9s/nOSIbr1Ny68/s1600/IMG_4179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Alligators, turtles, birds, fish and other wildlife populate the ecosystem.<br />
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Kudos to a great project exemplifying how a stormwater management facility can become a positive benefit to the community in many ways!Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-2412504636054342272010-10-03T17:46:00.000-07:002010-10-03T17:46:07.550-07:00Horsetail - InLine Wetland - Wetlands that are Modular - Plant for Florida and the Southeast US.Horsetail is a great plant for wetlands in a box, wetlands that are modular or in-line and used in urban settings.<br />
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Equisetum hyemale is a native to Florida. Shown here are several small clumps growing in an in-line wetland for cleaning stormwater (this wetland is modular - most of the system is in a box underground - but it is specifically designed for Florida's unique hydrocycle). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horsetail - Plants for Stormwater In-line Wetlands</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TKkisvpttzI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/jqHcaQcc7J0/s1600/modular+wetland+plants+for+florida+metroverde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The University of Florida's website sponsored by IFAS says the following about Horsetail -<br />
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"Horsetails are easily recognized ancient plants, the only remaining ones of their kind from millions of years ago. They are fern-like in function but not fern-like in shape. They are consumed by all kind of widllife, including mammals. Two varieties of the <em> Equisetum </em> exist in Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). Horsetails occur throughout the entire U.S. and the majority of Canada (Kartesz, 1999). <br />
Scouring-rush horsetail is a horsetail. <strong>Stems</strong> erect, 2-5 ft. tall, ridged, dark evergreen, jointed nodes, conspicuous blackish rings around the nodes, hollow between nodes; <strong>leaves</strong> reduced to very small node-scales; <strong>cone-like structure</strong> at stem tip is called a "strobilus", to 1 in. long; <strong>strobili</strong> contain sporangia which produce green reproductive spores, strobili are various shades of brown."<br />
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For more information from the<a href="http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/153"> UF website click here. </a><br />
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For more information about how in-line wetlands can help clean stormwater - <a href="mailto:kevin@metroverde.com">email Kevin.</a>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-3307348786029788402010-10-01T04:39:00.000-07:002010-10-03T17:33:52.250-07:00Stormwater Modeling Software for Green Roof Volume StorageGreat blog from Piped Up in Europe on the benefits of using green roofs for volume storage.<br />
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<a href="http://pipedup.wordpress.com/2010/09/23/do-green-roofs-provide-storm-water-attenuation/">Check out the post here.</a><br />
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KevinKevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-3117563769368670582010-09-29T17:57:00.000-07:002010-09-29T18:28:37.321-07:00Living Walls for Low Impact Development - Vine Structure Thunbergia grandifloraLiving walls come in a number of different forms, shapes, costs and functions.<br />
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Living Walls clean stormwater, sequester and fix carbon while reducing CO2, they pump oxygen back into the atmosphere, provide habitat to pollinators, birds, butterflies and more and create a sense of beauty.<br />
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Not only do living walls bring colors with flowers and greenery with a variety of leaves, but they also can provide structure.<br />
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Take for instance the Thunbergia vine growing here. A two year old vine, this plant sends shoots up the trellis from it's base.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florida Living Walls Thunbergia Vine Structure</td></tr>
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During North Florida's cold winters Thunbergia dies back.<br />
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The next spring the vine reappears even thicker. Thunbergia is not considered invasive and is a great larval food plant.<br />
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Pollinators love the flowers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Wall Flowers, Thunbergia grandiflora</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PkcS5vNbs-0/TKPfvA70vqI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/BzTatXVYeWM/s1600/living+wall+vine+Thunbergia+grandiflora+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The next time you are designing a site - consider a living wall instead of a fence.<br />
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Visit the Florida Green Roof Blog and Resource <a href="http://www.kevinsonger.blogspot.com/">Webpage for more Volumetric Green for the Urban Core.</a>Kevin Songerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05494408790726786898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-15427838043807456762010-09-21T23:37:00.000-07:002010-09-21T23:37:32.717-07:00Pervious Pavement - Basketball Court System<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TJmjH-xNvFI/AAAAAAAAAdc/ClzTZLFCMzU/s400/DSC09016.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
Pedestrian and recreational facilities contribute stormwater to runoff on sites yet they are sometimes overlooked as areas where green BMPs can be utilized.<br />
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The photo here is of an example of a pervious basketball court - great idea. THe site preparation includes leveling of the soil within the basketball court's footprint. Sand was applied to the soil as a leveling agent then the interlocking polypropylene grids installed.<br />
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Green BMPs for sustainable site design. <a href="mailto:ksonger@acfenvironmental.com">Email for more information. </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TJmjH-xNvFI/AAAAAAAAAdc/ClzTZLFCMzU/s1600/DSC09016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-57271206318632076582010-09-03T17:16:00.000-07:002010-09-03T17:16:26.228-07:00Living Walls Remove NItrogen and Phosphorous, Provide Beauty & O2RJ and I built and installed these two living walls for a downtown Jacksonville, Florida restaurant - Indochine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TIGOIMXocpI/AAAAAAAAAdE/QRhCSQoiC8c/s1600/indochine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TIGOIMXocpI/AAAAAAAAAdE/QRhCSQoiC8c/s400/indochine1.jpg" width="267" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TIGPB63BXHI/AAAAAAAAAdM/-uzO5EKzElw/s1600/Indochine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TIGPB63BXHI/AAAAAAAAAdM/-uzO5EKzElw/s320/Indochine2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Based upon <a href="http://www.atlantiscorp.com.au/">Atlantis technology</a> ACF's Green and Sustainability team has developed systems that can remove nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus from stormwater. Integrating plants into available structural Atlantis components and incorporating geosynthetic fabrics, sorptive media, organic carbon sources and other components.<br />
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Volumetric Green for the Urban Core!<br />
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Cleaning Stormwater, Providing Habitat and Creating a Sense of Place!<br />
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<a href="mailto:ksonger@acfenvironmental.com">Email us by clicking here</a>. We will be glad to help you out on your Sustainable or Green projects!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-60763813663240710092010-08-20T08:26:00.001-07:002010-08-20T08:26:43.123-07:00Road Washout Video - StormwaterRan across this video on youtube the other day - shows the power of stormwater - the BMPs we use must be well designed.....<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glDbDeZrD5E&fe">Road Washout Video</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-45021020310635868282010-08-19T16:53:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:53:54.505-07:00Living Walls Remove NItrogen and PhosphorousLiving Walls are a great way to; Clean site runoff and site roof runoff, create vertical green habitat for lizards, frogs and other green - height dependent species, and are beautiful. The hydroponic systems can incorporate sorptive media - a variety of medias are available - some attracting N, others P - these systems are built around the Atlantis 52mm cell panel. CallRJ or I today!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TG3D0zJhH5I/AAAAAAAAAcU/52YAyZ7oeYw/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TG3D0zJhH5I/AAAAAAAAAcU/52YAyZ7oeYw/s400/IMG_0118.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-88376272984056543502010-08-19T16:01:00.000-07:002011-01-30T16:38:20.593-08:00Foating Wetlands Remove Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Gainesville, Florida Stormwater PondPictured below is the Floating Wetland in Tumblin Creek Park, Gainesville, Florida. The system is fashioned around a 53mm recycled PPE platform - and contains Florida Native Aquatic plants.<br />
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The root mass below the platform cleans water with a variety of mechanisms, including - expansive root system surface area for microbes to digest nutrients, and for the plants themselves to uptake the nutrients and sequester in upper leaf biomass. The biomass is then harvested annually.<br />
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University of Florida scientists are studying the platforms to determine the efficiency of the systems and test results are extremely positive. Call Kevin for more information today!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TG23wdU_dDI/AAAAAAAAAcM/POBQIZ8aH5I/s1600/DSC00954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TG23wdU_dDI/AAAAAAAAAcM/POBQIZ8aH5I/s320/DSC00954.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TG23dNKPRcI/AAAAAAAAAcE/w6ogGo4c9UI/s1600/DSC00952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TG23dNKPRcI/AAAAAAAAAcE/w6ogGo4c9UI/s320/DSC00952.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-72510723889774929582010-06-22T05:39:00.000-07:002010-06-22T05:39:04.949-07:00Cleaning Oil Out of Florida's WaterwaysPhoto here is of oil sheen coming into marsh and wetland areas. The worker has deployed what is commonly referred to as Pom Pom Booms. The Pom Pom Booms primarily act as containment buffers. At some point int he future we may be seeing oil up in Florida's fresh water systems, including springs. We will be exploring how floating wetland systems can possibly absorb and clean oil contained water and keep you up to date on the results. We use floating wetlands to clean stormwater - how about for cleaning Oil Spills?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TCCuydc33GI/AAAAAAAAAao/v-lFnvBJP8I/s1600/20100622_Pompomboom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TCCuydc33GI/AAAAAAAAAao/v-lFnvBJP8I/s320/20100622_Pompomboom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1706828309906006468.post-19727547454764368162010-06-18T06:24:00.000-07:002010-06-18T06:24:24.857-07:00Atlantis Gro-Wall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TBtzQxTF3_I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/EyR9bXBh5P4/s1600/20100618GroWall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8glmWnhP4u8/TBtzQxTF3_I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/EyR9bXBh5P4/s320/20100618GroWall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A beautiful way to clean stormwater, create wildlife habitat in the urban core and provide a sense of place for humans, the Atlantis Gro-Wall is the best living wall system available today! Call Kevin or RJ for more information! 904-294-2656Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0