Ecological Landscaping & Restoration Services

SCS specializes in site restoration, creating areas of recreation and beauty that enhance quality of life. Our personnel have been performing ecosystem management for more than a decade. As a group, we posses a variety of restoration skills. Four of our associates are trained permaculturists who have studied methods of developing a sustainable culture regarding the natural environment.

SCS installs riparian habitat by planting native species grown from naturalized or wildcrafted seeds. We offer installation field support and long term site and plant maintenance contracts. We have native seed collections and maintain a small native plant nursery. We use natural weed control schemes to manage unwanted plants. We install erosion and surface-water runoff control measures. We also design and implement composting and mulching systems for organic wastestreams.

Permaculture Design Services:

Permaculture is an integrated design system combining various ecological techniques into one holistic approach to achieve sustainability. We approach site design based on biological diversity, recycling resources, productivity enhancement, energy efficiency, and self-sufficiency. In mimicking nature, permaculture creates systems which once established, are self-maintaining. A permaculture garden, once matured, will require minimal maintenance. Permaculture landscapes are ideal for homes, parks, and public spaces, reconnecting people with food production and natural processes.

A permaculture design can include techniques such as mixed fruit and nut orchards with companion planting; water catchment, storage, and purification systems; windbreaks; ponds, aquaculture, and non-chemical swimming pools; passive energy systems; efficient building design; soil building, composting and mulching; vegetable and herb gardens; fire and flood management; and more.

Erosion Control Services:

SCS will design and install erosion control systems for your particular site. From native plant installations to swale construction and surface water run-off strategies, SCS offers advice on methods of controlling erosion naturally. SCS uses precursor species, pelletized seeding, terracing, dikes, gabions and rock walls for soil stabilization. SCS has successfully healed gullies with structural improvements and in-filling with erosion tolerant vegetation.

Runoff Water Management:

SCS can create marshes, swales, and canals throughout a site to catch and treat surface runoff. Vegetation can be used to treat surface water and be harvested for mulch and green manure. By treating the stormwater before it enters a creek or stream, its turbidity and siltation are reduced. Treatment marshes can be used for large site developments such as residential subdivisions or commercial projects. Hydrocarbons and some metals can be effectively removed in this way from site runoff before it reaches a creek.

Natural Weed Management:

SCS has successfully controlled Spanish Oats and other annuals in the Santa Cruz Mountains by introducing perennial bunch grasses and California wild flowers. We have controlled Scotch Broom and Pampas Grass by mechanical removal and native plant introduction. The reintroduction of native species and land management favoring their growth is key to natural weed management.

Composting and Mulching Systems:

SCS offers consultation in the design of composting facilities for your specific organic wastestream. We have designed, built and operated compost systems for community gardens and farm facilities. We have successfully designed programs that collected organic materials from neighborhoods and produced up to 6,000 pounds of compost per week. Vermiculture composting is another strategy that is used to convert waste into rich humus that can be used at a site.

SCS offers consultation in the use of mulch for plant and site enhancement. Mulching is a simple yet crucial and often overlooked strategy for soil protection and conditioning. SCS can design systems for mulch production, and or show how and when mulch should be used.

Other Services:

We offer field support for plant installation and maintenance. We will install the designs of others and offer our services in their on-going maintenance. We offer long term maintenance contracts to help with the responsibility of site maintenance.

Home