our positive contribution to the environment

Provincial are committed to improving our air, soil and water quality and increasing biodiversity and habitat by propagating and planting appropriate species in appropriate ways and by acting consciously to choose products and services that are eco friendly. We restore unhealthy ecosystems back to their full potential.  We’ve grown and planted literally millions of plants that have contributed to improving the health of wetlands, rivers, creeks and streams, grasslands, bushland, rural and coastal landscapes, eroded and denuded sites.

Provincial’s founders have long been advocates for the environment.  We do the work we do because we love it and because it is essential that it is done.

making changes in our own back yard

Tangible efforts were made at our SE NSW premises starting in 2001 to make a real difference in our own back yard (recycling, waste minimization and re-use, solar hot water and solar power, tank water and dams, for example). 

We’ve stepped up the pace since 2007 and made many simple changes right across our organisation (such as changing light bulbs and manual weeding and organic weed control rather than using poisons) and commenced an intensive research effort into sustainable technologies and water saving measures to reduce our contribution to global warming.

our team’s response to our environmental ethos

Provincial’s team are empowered by our environmental ethos and are proud to be involved with the valuable contribution we make to creating and remodeling environments.  Knowing that we act ethically and consciously in our general business dealings attracts quality people to our organisation and sets up the framework for how staff conduct themselves.  Likeminded people working together to create better outcomes is very powerful. 

steps we’re taking to be sustainable

• Carbon neutral (Carbon positive likely!) – on target 2009! 

The Canberra Environment Centre are currently undertaking an environmental audit of our carbon emissions with a view to Provincial becoming carbon neutral.  They have advised us that we will most likely be assessed as Carbon Positive. 

• ISO 14001 certification – on target 2009!

Provincial is also in the process of undertaking Environmental Management certification under ISO 14001 via Enviro Action and will complete this by the end of 2009.    

• HIA GreenSmart accreditation (Lisa Roberts)

• Renewable energy powers most of our operations

Our Wandella nursery site is completely off the grid and uses total renewable energy to power our office, potting sheds, nursery irrigation units and will fully power our commercial aquaponics system once operational.  Hot water is solar. 

Our Tanja office uses Green Power and will have a solar system installed by September 2009 that feeds back power into the grid.  Hot water here is from a heat pump. 

Our Pialligo nursery uses Green Power and has very minimal energy requirements. 

• Alternative water sources, water harvesting + use minimisation practices are in place

• We practice efficient watering practices

Hand watering is limited and only done by experienced staff; Water-efficient trigger nozzle to all hoses used for irrigation;  All fitted taps and hoses are inspected regularly to ensure no leaks are occurring; We avoid overhead watering during the middle of the day where possible; We water deeply and less often to conserve water; We utilise pot space efficiently to cut down on water lost between plant; We practice hydrozoning – grouping similar pot sizes and plant varieties with similar watering needs grouped together; We use the natural environment to provide shade (tree canopies) for shade loving plants and to reduce water requirements in summer; Utilise brooms instead of water for cleaning of hard surfaces; We educate and train staff in water efficient behavior;  We undertake research of water efficient behaviours and infrastructure

• We practice efficiency with our irrigation systems

We position sprinklers to prevent wasteful over spraying onto buildings, roads and footpaths; We adjust irrigation schedules as required to take into account daily environmental variations; We utilise a monitoring program to help improve irrigation efficiency; Our irrigation systems allow for the application of water at different rates to different areas of the nursery

• We monitor our water use closely

Monitor water conservation measures and water use efficiency within the nursery daily; We check for system leaks by taking water meter readings during periods of no water use (Pialligo); We monitor the nurseries water consumption throughout the year; We check for leaking, clogged or worn pipes, hoses, taps or nozzles          

• Recycling systems, waste minimisation, use of eco friendly products 

Bi products from the nurseries are used to create worm farms and organic vegie gardens and orchards for staff and family; We practice composting; We recycle paper products for worm farms; Recycled office and stationery products are used on all available occasions in all 3 offices; We’re researching the potential of biodegradable trays.

• We are pesticide free and chemical free

We prefer to weed manually; We use natural alternatives such as honey in preference to rooting hormone; We practice nursery weed control using vinegar to clean weed mat and trays; We practice companion planting

• Appropriate plant types

The types of plants we grow contribute directly to environmental restoration and carbon sequestration projects.  Our plants are primarily drought tolerant and are sun and frost hardened to ensure they settle into a site well.  We also proudly support Flora for Fauna

• Eco friendly ‘green’ landscape design

Design incorporates principles of permaculture, water wise gardening and water sensitive urban design

• Revegetation and rehabilitation projects and wetlands creation

We improve air, soil and air quality, increase biodiversity and maintain ecosystems

• Xeriscape professionals

We create low impact, site and climate appropriate, water wise, easy care spaces

our response to climate change improves environments for you

Our commitment to the environment is evident in the very nature of the products and services we provide, and our obvious actions to become carbon neutral, reduce re-use and recycle and be chemical free.

Every year we:

• make donations of plants to groups for National Tree Day via Landcare and Planet Ark.
• donate excess and mature stock to NPWS, CMA, Landcare, Coastcare schools and community groups for revegetation projects
• participate in Natural Heritage Trust community projects such as the Narira Creek revegetation, including running environmental education sessions for the local primary school children
• sponsor educational events such as the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (ACT) forum on ‘climate change’ and the Master Builders Association forum on ‘Life, Building and Sustainability’
• ‘give back’ by engaging in ‘no charge’ community plant supply and planting projects for schools and community groups.

our commitment to being carbon neutral (or positive!)

Climate change affects us all. Provincial is committed to minimising our environmental footprint and understanding the risks and opportunities posed by climate change. We have begun the process of changing our behaviours where necessary, monitoring and reviewing our processes and practices and  are on target to be certified carbon neutral in 2009.

The health of our environment is effected by the way we manage our landscapes.  Provincial is committed to improving our soil, water and air quality, creating habitat, increasing biodiversity and improving ecosystems. In just the past 2 years we’ve collected over 5 tonnes of native seed for revegetation projects and propagation and have planted more than 2 million plants.