In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day, BrightView (NYSE: BV), the nation’s leading commercial landscaping company, today announced a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 300,000 trees throughout the U.S. by March 2023. The projects supported by BrightView will help restore forests and ecosystems impacted by wildfire, deforestation, and invasive species, across nine states.

“Whether through our sustainable landscape design or reforestation projects like this, BrightView recognizes the importance of investing in solutions that contribute to a healthy planet,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView President and Chief Executive Officer. “We’re proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation knowing these trees – and the trees, flowers and other vegetation we plant every day – will continue to make a difference in and have a long-term impact on the communities in which we live, work and play.” 

These trees are in addition to the more than 80,000 trees and millions of shrubs, greenery, and grass BrightView plants annually as part of its best-in-class landscaping work. As the trees planted by the Arbor Day Foundation mature, they will help to clean the air, filter water, sequester carbon, and support vital forest ecosystems.

“The world needs trees now more than ever and partnering with organizations like BrightView helps us achieve the planting scale we need to drive meaningful impact,” said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The positive benefits from these planting projects will last for years to come.”

The tree plantings, led by the Foundation and selected to represent BrightView’s nationwide reach, will occur at private land locations across South Carolina, California and Texas, as well at Bladen Lakes State Park in North Carolina; Blackwater River State Park in Florida; Willamette National Forest in Oregon; Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho; Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia; Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park in Florida; Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park in Florida; and Little River State Forest in Alabama.

For the past 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked to plant nearly 500 million trees around the world. Through a vast network of partnerships, the Foundation facilitates projects that empower organizations of all sizes to reach their environmental and sustainability goals via measurable, impactful work.

As a company that prides itself on developing and nurturing landscapes that inspire and enhance communities, deploying environmentally sustainable strategies and solutions is the keystone to what BrightView – the nation’s leading commercial landscaping company – does on Earth Day and every day.

“Our team members not only create and maintain the best landscapes on Earth, but they do so with sustainability top of mind,” said Andrew Masterman, BrightView President and Chief Executive Officer. “Taking these measures to ensure future generations enjoy a cleaner and greener Earth is core to our beliefs. It’s who we are. It’s how we operate.” 

Aligning with its enterprise-wide Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy and as outlined in its 2022 ESG Report, BrightView is committed to minimizing its impact on Mother Earth.

As the landscaping industry’s leader, BrightView’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 90 percent and becoming carbon neutral by 2035 resides this infographic on its five-step approach:

• Stewardship: Actively engaging with industry partners and suppliers to lead a transformation towards the Company’s environmental goals.

• Sustainability: Helping to sequester carbon by continuing to plant trees and through the sustainable design and maintenance of landscapes.

• A Cleaner Fleet: Converting the Company’s fleet of 11,000 vehicles to electric and hybrid alternatives.

• Greener Equipment: Rapidly converting approximately 35,000 pieces of 2-cycle gas-powered equipment to rechargeable energy sources by 2025, resulting in a greater than 50 percent reduction in BrightView’s carbon footprint.

• Efficient Buildings: Replacing outdated equipment and appliances with energy-efficient alternatives in the 300 properties BrightView currently owns or leases.

BrightView Team Members Celebrate Earth Day

BrightView team members nationwide are marking Earth Day 2022 by participating in local events, enhancement projects and celebrations and making a further positive impact in the communities where they live and work, including:

• Cleaning and sprucing up the landscaping at various Boys & Girls Clubs of America locations in Philadelphia

• Planting a tree and releasing lady bugs at a resort in Las Vegas

• Planting and nurturing flower arrangements at a military base in Tucson, Ariz.

• Educating children about the importance of Earth Day at a community celebration in Milpitas, Calif.

• Distributing seasonal flowers, herbs and trees to Florida office park tenants   

• Setting up a booth and handing out succulents and educational materials in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Irrigation can sometimes feel out-of-sight, out-of-mind; after all, the lion’s share of your system is underground. But for our irrigation specialists, water management is something they live and breathe, even in the winter months. They know their jobs are crucial to addressing the Southwest’s persistent drought, a task that requires year-round attention. See how Regional Irrigation Manager James Carr and his teams tackle it head-on.

Wintertime is the Right Time to Improve Irrigation

It’s the first week of the new year, and while most of us are still in a post-holiday lull, James is in California. Given the mild temperatures, few people are thinking about droughts, but for James and our Orange County irrigation technicians and client service teams, it’s very much top of mind. They’re in the midst of a deep dive field training on Preventative Maintenance Irrigation Inspections, fine-tuning how to catch problems before they require costly repairs. 

Though it may seem counterintuitive, winter is the best time to improve irrigation systems. No one wants their irrigation system offline for repairs in the heat of summer. That’s why the teams are hitting the ground running. Not long after, James is off to Las Vegas, then San Diego to run the same training with teams there. James calls it “keeping the pedal to the metal.” There’s no off-season in irrigation.

It Takes a Village

Over the years, irrigation has become higher tech and advancements in water management have created the need for specialists. Yet while the drought problem is universal, the knowledge of how to address it is not. Sharing information is critical. 

That brings James to the Arizona Landscape Contractors Association, where he teaches an irrigation training for 50 individuals. They’ve come from landscape companies throughout Arizona.

“All have the goal of raising the bar for our industry and achieving better water management skills,” he said.

James isn’t just leading the class, he’s leading change. He’s a certified board member for the Irrigation Association Certification Board. He also serves as Co-Director of Education and sits on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Landscape Contractors Association (ALCA). What he’ll teach in his class he’s successfully put into practice himself. In 2021, he accepted an Outstanding Landscape Contractor of the Year award from the ALCA. 

Starting on the Right Foot

With summer approaching, James keeps “the pedal to the metal.” To prepare for spring, he lead a series of intense, 3-day trainings throughout the southwest region with a focus on spring start-ups. Spring start-up refers to the process of de-winterizing an irrigation system. Since irrigation represents a significant investment for many clients, it’s important the system is maintained properly to ensure its longevity. Breaks and leaks aren’t just costly for the client if not caught soon enough, they can also exacerbate drought conditions. 

In this section of the training, irrigation specialists are huddled over their phones, studying intently the content on their screens. While it might look like they’ve found something more interesting than their training, they’re actually wrapped-up in researching the ET-- evapotranspiration-- rates for their area. Evapotranspiration refers to how quickly water moves from the earth’s surface into the atmosphere. They use this information to build irrigation schedules for their clients. James, meanwhile, is excited for those clients. 

“They’re in good hands!” he said proudly, before enthusing about the magic of smart controllers. “If you don’t understand the magic behind them, you’ll never fully appreciate the efficient tool that they are!” Thanks to James and his team, it’s safe to say a lot more people appreciate that magic. And while they may not actually be magicians who can singlehandedly make drought conditions disappear, they’re doing a lot behind the scenes to make them smaller. 

How will you celebrate Earth Day this year? If you’re at a loss for ideas, we’ve got a solution that’s perfect for teambuilding with coworkers, enhancing your residential community, or creating a hands-on educational activity for kids. Get ready to get your hands dirty and have some fun. We’re going to show you how to build a pollinator garden!

The Benefits of a Pollinator Garden

The theme of this year’s Earth Day celebration is “Invest in our Planet,” which invites us all to act boldly, innovate, and implement solutions. Pollinator gardens are an easy way to make an investment that will pay dividends for years to come, both in appearance and benefit to the environment. Pollinators-- which includes insects like bees, moths, butterflies, and small mammals like bats-- play a critical role in the growth of crops and plants. This contributes to the overall health of our ecosystem, from the quality of our soil to the cleanliness of our air. 

In recent years, pollinator populations have been in decline worldwide due to loss of habitat, invasive species, poor nutrition and pesticides. You can help reverse that trend by creating a pollinator garden. 

How to Create a Pollinator Garden

In just 5 easy steps you’ll have a beautiful garden to enjoy all year-round. Grab your gardening gloves and a trowel. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Select a Location

Find a spot that offers protection from wind. It can be shady or sunny; just take note of how much sun the location receives and at what time of day as this will inform the plants you choose. You’ll also want to take note of the type of soil you have, such sandy, rocky, or clay, for the same reason. And finally, consider whether the location may need protection from deer or rodents. If restricting their access isn’t possible, you can select plants resistant to the critter in question in the next step.

Short on space? Not a problem! Your pollinator garden doesn’t have to be large to make an impact. Consider a container garden, which has the added benefit of being movable. You can even have each participant plant their own small container to take home. 

Step 2: Select Your Plants

Find native pollinator-friendly plants that are well-suited to your region and the conditions of your planting site. Check out these handy pollinator planting guide cards for each region, provided by the National Park Service, for helpful suggestions on plants that will work well in your area. Seeds or plants are both fine choices, but keep in mind if you choose seeds, you’ll need to wait until fall or late winter to plant so they have time to germinate ahead of the summer growing season.

As you decide what to plant, consider bloom time and color. By planting a diverse mix of colors, annuals, and perennials, you’ll have a colorful variety of blooms throughout the year. Just be sure to group plants of the same kind together, which makes it easier for pollinators to find. You might also want to add some host plants for butterfly larva, which will increase the butterflies present in your garden. Research the foods butterflies in your area like to eat. For example, monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed.

Step 3: Prep the Site

If you’ll be planting in-ground, clear any existing plants, especially invasive species. Then, till the soil to make planting easier. Finish with a layer of topsoil, followed by an inch or two of organic compost if available.

For container planting, select a pot with drainage holes, or use a drill to add one to the bottom. Then, fill the pot with a high-quality potting soil. Plan for each container to hold plants with similar needs for sun and water to ensure long-term success.

Step 4: Plant!

Layout or sketch how you plan to arrange your plants before you begin to dig. Planting in a dense arrangement-- roughly 1 plant every square foot-- will help deter weeds and make watering more effective and economical. Place taller plants toward the middle and shorter plants on the outside to maintain easy access throughout. 

Step 5: Maintain & Enjoy

Take note of the care instructions for each plant and water as specified. Some may need extra watering as the plants get established. If weeds appear, remove them by hand instead of using weed killers, which could harm the pollinators. For the same reason, you’ll also want to avoid using pesticides or chemical fertilizers. 

In the fall, leave dead stalks or cut back no lower than 15” tall, so pollinators can use them for shelter or to lay eggs. Deadheading-- which means removing spent flowers-- can help tidy up your garden and encourage more blooms, however it’s a matter of preference. Some people like to leave the expired flowers as food for hungry birds.

And that’s it! Five easy steps to make an impact this Earth Day both you and Mother Nature can enjoy. If you’re looking to take it one step further, add a bench or seating nearby for prime wildlife watching. Enjoy the returns on your Earth Day investment!

This Earth Day, we want to share the scope of our environmental impact, the tangible effects we’ve made -- and can continue to make -- together. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Invest in our Planet,” which invites us all to act boldly, innovate, and implement solutions.  In today’s chaotic world, it can feel difficult to make an impact as an individual, but by partnering with BrightView we’re able to affect bigger change together.

Eliminating carbon from our own operations represents BrightView's biggest opportunity to contribute to a healthy environment and be a leader in our industry. This infographic illustrates our approach to achieving carbon neutrality.

As part of its commitment to give back to the communities in which it operates, employees at BrightView Landscapes have launched an ambitious multi-state charity event to support organizations that provide services for those affected by the widespread public health and economic impacts of the COVID pandemic.  BrightView (NYSE: BV), the nation’s leading landscaping services company, is mobilizing teams across the Southwestern United States as part of its Environmental Stewardship, Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance program, also known as ESG.  

Spanning California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, the ongoing effort benefits six charities that fight homelessness, abuse, poverty, hunger and unemployment. The grassroots effort is spearheaded by members of the southwest chapter of BrightView’s landmark employee resource group, GROW (Growth in Relationships + Opportunities for Women), with beneficiaries of the volunteer drive hand-selected by the group’s members.

“Our branches are deeply connected to their communities, so when a need surfaces, we feel it keenly and are drawn to action,” said BrightView Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Amanda Orders. “I’m incredibly proud of our GROW members and all our employees who took initiative and continue to serve their communities with tremendous empathy. At BrightView, we take pride in taking care of others and this is truly a great example.”  Orders cofounded GROW with several other female BrightView executives in 2017.

BrightView GROW Southwest recently conducted its first three events, with more planned for February and March. To date, their impact includes:

• Arizona: Hope Women’s Center
  Hope Women’s Center’s six locations provide a safe haven for at-risk women and girls to get back on their feet. Twenty-two volunteers, including BrightView CEO Andrew Masterman, sorted and packed food boxes for distribution, built diaper packages and welcome kits, assembled information packets and intake forms, hand wrote thank you notes, tagged stuffed animals for children, and conducted exterior landscape cleanup.
   

• 

  Nevada: Project Marilyn
  According to Project Marilyn, personal hygiene products are among the least donated supplies. As a result, women and teens without access to feminine products during their period must result to dangerous substitutes that pose a serious threat to their health. Eleven BrightView employees in Las Vegas prepared 500 Project Marilyn bags and restocked supplies. Each bag contains enough maxi pads and wipes to carry a homeless, home insecure, or person living in a shelter through their period.
   
• California: Father Joe’s Villages
  Father Joe’s Villages serves San Diegans experiencing homelessness and poverty, housing over 2,500 people every night, providing therapeutic childcare & family services, health care, and employment & education services.  Nine members of our BrightView San Diego team supported Father Joe’s Villages’ food distribution, warehouse assistance, and super food pantry operations by building to-go food packages and manning a drive-through distribution. 

Upcoming events include:

• New Mexico: Dress for Success
  Dress for Success seeks to help women break the cycle of poverty, furnishing clients with professional attire to secure employment and confidence to achieve their dreams. BrightView GROW Southwest is organizing a boutique sorting event, and provides ongoing philanthropic consulting services, including mentorship curriculum and career coaching.
   
• Texas: Star of Hope Women & Family Development Center
  Star of Hope provides crisis services and intensive programs that offer women and families stability, personal development and hope. Each day, the center houses up to 150 families and 180 single women. BrightView GROW Southwest is organizing a day of service to support the center’s meal services operations. A Resume & Interview Skills Workshop is also planned to support workforce development and education, helping residents achieve their employment goals and independent living.
   
• California: Bracken’s Kitchen
  In Garden Grove, Bracken’s Kitchen feeds those in need and restores their lives through food rescue that reduces food waste and culinary training that empowers. BrightView GROW Southwest is organizing an event to prep and package produce boxes, daily meals, and other tasks as needed by the organization.

Members of the media who are interested in attending or community members who would like to join these efforts are encouraged to contact BrightView’s Communications Department at [email protected] to receive updated event information. 

BrightView GROW was conceived and founded to attract, promote, and retain women within BrightView. Led by a group of women committed to the mission-- and who volunteer their time to ensure its success-- GROW offers networking, professional development and leadership opportunities for the women of BrightView. 

For other BrightView Landscapes stock information or other financial reports, please visit our investor website.

This inaugural ESG Report covers BrightView’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, activities, and achievements. The report was informed by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Professional and Commercial Services Sector Standard. Statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed.

The debate between frequent formal shearing of shrubs versus seasonal rejuvenation pruning can get as hot as the summer sun but fans of shearing diminish as they come to understand the numerous health, environmental and aesthetic benefits of seasonal pruning. You probably see examples of both practices every day but may not be familiar with the specifics.

Health Benefits

Shearing is detrimental to the long-term health of a shrub and eventually may lead to its death but proper seasonal pruning can enhance a plant’s health over time. Shearing stimulates growth of a twiggy outer layer that shades the interior of the plant and becomes full of dead wood and leaves. The shaded interior is more prone to insect attack, dieback and damage from frost or drought. Because the outermost shell is woody rather than leafy, shearing also inhibits the shrub’s ability to produce nutrients through photosynthesis. Fighting off attack and disease while working harder to produce nutrients depletes the plant of energy and causes sheared shrubs to die faster than rejuvenated shrubs. The natural growth pattern of a rejuvenated shrub allows light and air to reach the plant’s interior reducing dead wood and disease and encouraging nutrient absorption.

Environmental Benefits

Frequent shearing promotes rapid growth and requires constant upkeep to maintain a desirable shape. This constant upkeep can create an environmental strain since gas-powered hedge trimmers and blowers necessary to clean up debris generate exhaust fumes and emissions, more green waste must be hauled off site requiring additional trips to the landfill, and the unnecessary waste takes up additional landfill space. Sheared shrubs also burn more energy requiring considerably more water to stay alive. Rejuvenating instead of shearing uses less gasoline and irrigation water, generates less air pollution and requires fewer trips to landfills.

Aesthetic Benefits

As shrubs are frequently sheared, it becomes difficult to achieve a consistent shear on every shrub resulting in many different shapes and looks. Frequently sheared shrubs will also appear inconsistent as they try to flower (see picture). Over time, the constant shearing will show unsightly dead wood on the shrub. Since most landscapes are designed by a landscape architect taking into consideration many different physical and aesthetic factors, formal pruning sacrifices the vision that the architect originally intended. The natural shape of seasonal pruning not only increases the lifespan of shrubs but it also provides a look that is more consistent with current landscape design trends. 

• Formal Pruning/Shearing

  

  Also known as shearing; consists of shaping or shearing shrubs every month during the summer growing season. Sheared shrubs will look mostly green year round with minimal or inconsistent flowering. Frequent shearing is a practice that  was started to remedy the problem of shrubs outgrowing their allotted space but became popular as many people like the tight, “manicured” look. 

• Seasonal Rejuvenation Pruning

  Consists of pruning or rejuvenating shrubs based on the individual plant species’ natural flowering cycle. Rejuvenative pruning is completed after a plant has flowered. The frequency of pruning depends on the planting density of the landscape; usually every 1-3 years. After the flowering cycle is complete, pruning is accomplished by reducing the crown of the plant by approximately 30-50% and allowing it to grow back naturally during the next growing season. Some plants need to be cut back further, almost to the ground.

Let BrightView Landscape Services Help You

BrightView takes pride in the landscapes we create for our clients. Starting with the design phase, we aim to bring your vision to life choosing the right plantings for your environment. 

The state of your landscape speaks volumes about your property and therefore needs to be properly maintained. It will be important to balance the visual appeal of your property with the cost to sustain and protect it.

You can benefit from a comprehensive landscape maintenance plan designed to meet your needs and exceed your expectations, no matter the environment or season.

Here’s a bit of trivia. What resource can improve the health and appearance of your landscape, save you time and money, and helps reduce weeds, pests, plant diseases and fungi? Surprise—it’s an irrigation system. This landscape superhero can make all the difference for your property. If you don’t yet have one, here’s what to consider.

These Aren’t Your Grandma’s Sprinklers

You might be envisioning the irrigation systems of old—large, unsightly sprinklers that detract from the appearance of your landscape. But irrigation systems have come a long way, and today’s systems are only visible when in use, or in the case of drip irrigation, not visible at all. Plus, today’s technology includes smart, cloud-enabled solutions that can automatically adjust irrigation based on your local conditions.

Irrigation Boosts Your Property Value

Having an irrigation system makes your property more valuable all around. The upgrade is a major selling point to potential buyers should you be in the market to sell. It’s also an attractive feature for conservation-minded tenants who will appreciate the water-saving benefit. And finally, an irrigation system can help you maintain consistent curb appeal, especially during the heat of the summer months when dry soil can lead to bald spots in your lawn and stressed plants that are more vulnerable to pests and disease.

Convenient & Cost-Effective

Sure, you could drag around a hose and hand water as needed, but that’s ineffective for a number of reasons. Aside from being a time-consuming, clunky process, hand watering is prone to user error. Are you overwatering? Underwatering? It’s hard to know, especially since different plants have different water needs.

This is where an irrigation system excels. With today’s smart technology, your system can be set to run at the optimum cadence, time of day, and duration for your landscape. Rain sensors can turn off your system to save you money during a storm. Soil sensors monitor the moisture level in your soil and adjust watering as needed. There are even flow sensors that can alert you to unusually high or low water usage and turn off your system if a leak is detected. And best of all, WIFI-enabled controllers make it easy for you or your landscape partner to manage your system from anywhere.

Totally Customizable

Today’s irrigation systems can be configured a number of ways, making them tailor-fit for your property. This further allows for cost savings by reducing run-off, maximizing performance and ensuring you don’t pay for features or equipment you don’t need. When designing your irrigation system, your landscape partner will consider factors like drainage, slopes, hills, and your specific plant material. For example, they might recommend drip irrigation for its ability to deliver targeted amounts of water close to the soil.

How to Make the Leap

When you’re ready to install a system, enlist a licensed and insured landscape partner, like BrightView, with irrigation specialists on staff. They’ll carefully explain the technology to help you make the best choice for your property. They’ll also discuss ongoing management of your system to adjust configuration as needed and devise a plan that work with your preferences, such as remote management capabilities, in-house management, or management by your landscape partner.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to arrange for regular maintenance and inspection once your irrigation is installed. Your landscape partner will recommend appropriate intervals for this service based on your system and may also recommend winterization based on your region. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent issues that could require costly repairs down the line and to keep your system running in peak efficiency. It’s a simple way to protect your investment and ensure it continues to deliver benefits for years to come.