BrightView Maintenance has been selected by Colorado’s Town of Superior to maintain its park and recreation landscapes starting Jan. 1, 2020. The contract covers more than 630 acres of parks, green space, and open space, the Town of Superior, and its 35 miles of public trails.

The agreement includes sustainable landscaping maintenance and snow removal for the public grounds, parks, and walkways throughout the town.

BrightView is one of the nation’s largest users of zero-emission commercial landscaping equipment and also a leader in the use of state-of-the-art water conservation technology and innovative landscaping practices, such as green roof installations, LEED-certified landscape consulting, waste reduction programs, and xeriscaping.

“Being able to partner with the Town of Superior and provide sustainable landscaping is a point of pride for Brightview,” said Bradley Hill, BrightView Senior Branch Manager. “Our team is thrilled to not only provide green landscaping to some of the most stunning trails in Colorado, but to also make a lasting connection with this close-knit community.”

The Town of Superior was founded in 1896 and is believed named after the "superior" quality of coal found in the area. The stunning mountain-filled backdrop is enhanced by the vast public spaces and parks throughout the town.

“The Town of Superior is looking forward to working together with BrightView to serve all who live, work, and play in our community,” said Leslie Clark, Parks, Recreation and Open Space Director, Town of Superior.“ We believe BrightView and their people will provide us with the excellence we have become accustomed to, as well as propel us into the future of renewable energy and sustainability.”

Learn more about the parks, trails, open space, and recreation within the Town of Superior here.

About The Town of Superior:
The Town of Superior is a municipality of approximately 15,000 people located 22 miles northwest of Denver and 8 miles southwest of Boulder, Colorado. Incorporated in 1904 and named for the “superior” quality of the coal it produced in the local mine, the Town boasts a rich history. The Town now consists of four-square miles that include hundreds of acres of quality parks, open space and trails produced and maintained for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

The South is no stranger to combating pesky pests once warm, humid weather sets in. Controlling whiteflies can be especially tough since they thrive year-round and have brutal effects on your landscape if not taken care of properly. Thankfully, waving the white flag isn’t your only solution. There’s plenty you can do to keep whiteflies from invading your landscape, and the first step is education. Here’s what you need to know.

Whiteflies are Unwelcome Guests

Whiteflies are an invasive species, native to South America and the Caribbean. Just as the name suggests, whiteflies are small insects with white wings and short antennae. They feed on the underside of leaves with sharp mandibles that pierce the plant and allow the whitefly to suck its nutrients. The byproduct of their feeding is honeydew, a sticky substance the whitefly secretes that leads to sooty black mold. Not only is the mold unsightly, but it can stain nearby surfaces like concrete.

Adult whiteflies measure 1/16 inch long, so they’re not always easy to see, and are sometimes mistaken for moths. But what is easy to see is their damage to the plant, which can manifest in stunted growth, yellow leaves, leaf drop, and in the worst cases, death.

Unfortunately, whiteflies are a year-round struggle in the southern and coastal states, with whiteflies attacking more than 250 different varieties of plants, including gumbo limbos, hibiscus, poinsettias, citrus and other fruits and veggies.

Among Florida’s Whiteflies, There Are 3 Top Offenders

Worldwide, there are over 1500 species of whiteflies, with dozens of species seen frequently in the South. While Florida has seen a wide variety, there are of 3 that cause the most trouble: Ficus whitefly, Rugose spiraling whitefly, and Bonday’s nesting whitefly.

• Ficus Whitefly
  Ficus whiteflies are the picky eaters of the bunch. While other whiteflies are less discriminatory in selecting their host plant, ficus whiteflies are singularly focused on—you guessed it—ficus trees and hedges. You’ll know when a ficus is infected because its formerly lush foliage will yellow and eventually drop.
   
• Rugose Spiraling Whitefly
  The spiraling whitefly got its name from the spiraled pattern in which it lays its eggs. Some of the spiraling whitefly’s common hosts include wax myrtle, live oak, palms and black olive. 
   
• Bondar’s Nesting Whitefly
  In addition to fruits like avocado, guava, lemon, mandarin orange and naval orange, the nesting whitefly also enjoys banyan trees and stinkwood. The nesting whitefly’s calling card is the characteristic pattern of wax that forms around its pupa, hence the name “nesting.”

Act Fast, Because Whiteflies Multiply FAST

As nymphs, whiteflies overwinter on leaves. Come spring, females can lay as many as 400 eggs, which hatch in roughly a week’s time. Immature whiteflies tend to blend in with the plant, but it won’t be long before they’re easier to spot. It only takes 25 days for the whitefly to mature.

Thankfully, treatments are available, both to treat and prevent infestations. Spraying the infected plant with a strong stream of water is a low-tech solution, so long as it’s followed up with an application of insecticidal soap or a horticultural spray.

More serious infestations may require the use of a systemic insecticide. Your landscape partner will be sure to choose one that’s recommended for the control of whiteflies, but won’t harm beneficial insects like lady bugs, who happen to be a predator of the whitefly.

In the event of heavy infestations, it’s best to remove and replace the affected plant before more of your landscape is affected, and clippings from an infested plant should always be disposed at the closest landfill to avoid further spread

Aside from these solutions, one of the best things you can do to prevent an infestation is maintain a regular fertilization schedule. Doing so bolsters the health of your plants and helps your landscape thrive while keeping pests out. If you suspect whitefly damage or want to prevent problems before they begin, request a free quote or give our team a call at 844.235.7778.

This year’s Earth Day finds us at an unusual time. Like many of you, Earth Day has historically been an important day of reflection and action for us. Yet this year, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s taken on a new meaning.  As we all examine how we can stay healthy and better care for our communities in light of the novel coronavirus, we realize the lessons of Earth Day are more important than ever. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the planet’s largest civic event. While the need for social distancing has canceled events, the spirit is still alive and well. This year’s theme is “Climate Action,” challenging each of us to consider how we can contribute to the goal of a zero-carbon future. Here at BrightView, we’re thinking about how we can be your change agent, helping you create outdoor environments that contribute to the wellbeing of both the people who enjoy your property and the planet. 

One of the ways we’re achieving this is by pioneering the use of zero-emission, low-noise electric equipment. We also optimize our daily routes to ensure maximum efficiency and emission reduction. But we’d be remiss to not mention that our most important partner in carbon reduction is Mother Nature herself. Some of the biggest impacts come from the things we grow, with her help of course. For example, the trees grown in our nurseries will consume more than 5 million tons of carbon over their lifetime. That’s in addition to the more than $100 million worth of carbon-consuming plant material we add to landscapes each year.  This is just the tip of the iceberg. From LEED-certified landscape consulting to water management, green roofs to climate-based landscapes and more, check out our Environmental Sustainability Page to get some ideas about ways you can combat climate change and improve the health of your environment.

Now it’s your turn. Tell us how you’re observing Earth Day by using the hashtag #BVEarthDay on social media. Then, listen along with us on Spotify to keep the good vibes going. While we might not be able to observe Earth Day together and in-person as a community this year, your show of support helps keep the movement strong.

Ask BrightView: Episode 24

Native to Southeast Asia, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that first made an appearance in the United States in 2014. In addition to the damage it can cause to your landscape, the spotted lanternfly poses a large threat to both the ecosystem and the economy. Bill Paige, a certified arborist and BrightView’s spotted lanternfly remediation expert, shares tips for prevention against spotted lanternfly infestation.

(For the full transcript, see below.)

The campus at the University of Pennsylvania offers a natural oasis of serenity directly in the middle of one of our nation’s largest cities. The campus is filled with flowerbeds, shaded walkways, turf areas, and more than 6,000 trees. However, this fall semester, students have returned to a campus that is even more green, and quiet.

BrightView, the nation’s leading landscape services company, has been maintaining the landscape at Penn since the early 2000s and announced last year a commitment to begin deploying electric mowers and other equipment across the country.

The team that maintains the campus is now operating entirely with low-emission electric mowers and hand-held equipment. With each mower running an average of 300 hours per year, the team expects this will eliminate the amount of emissions equivalent to approximately 1,500 cars averaging 12,000 miles each year. These numbers are based on findings from a recent study on emissions by lawn and garden equipment by a California Air Resources Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“This equipment significantly reduces the environmental impact of maintaining our campus which includes noise-pollution,” said Craig Roncace, Urban Park Manager for the University’s Facilities and Real Estate Services Division.

According to the manufacturer, the mowers BrightView uses on the campus emit only 78 decibels versus a standard gas mower that emits 95 decibels.

“Studies show that less noise pollution translates to better student outcomes, more productive workplaces and a more calming environment,” said Tariq Ahmed, Branch Manager at BrightView.

BrightView has been using the equipment on campus this summer and faculty have confirmed that while sitting near a window in a campus building you cannot hear the mower running just outside.

While BrightView uses this equipment across the country, the Philadelphia team is the first to go 100-percent electric. 

“Our partnership with the university played a big role in getting our team to this milestone,” said Dante DeMaria, Associate Branch Manager at BrightView. “It’s quite a process because the equipment requires charging stations in both our branch and trailers to keep running all day.”

“We take pride in the opportunity to create a more sustainable and quiet campus for the students and faculty here and it’s only possible through a great partnership, said Ahmed. “We continue to look for ways make our operations more environmentally-friendly and assist clients in achieving their sustainability goals.”

Native to Southeast Asia, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that first made an appearance in the United States in Berks County, Pa., in 2014. Since that time, it has been found in other parts of Pennsylvania, as well as New Jersey and Virginia. In addition to the damage it can cause to your landscape, the spotted lanternfly poses a large threat to both the ecosystem and the economy. The potential impacts are serious enough that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine for portions of the state to help control the insect’s movement.

How to spot the spotted lanternfly

Despite its wings, the spotted lanternfly is a planthopper, meaning it’s not a true flying insect. Measuring about 1-inch long and 1/2-inch wide at rest, the spotted lanternfly is most easily identified by its distinctive red, black, white, and grey markings on its wings. Immature spotted lanternflies — which won’t yet have red patches — are black with white spots and about the size of a pencil eraser. Once mature, it will feature grey wings with white spots and a red underwing.

The spotted lanternfly favors Alianthus (Tree of Heaven) and is also known to feed on grapevines and fruit trees. Weeping, greyish, or black wounds are a telltale sign spotted lanternflies have been feeding on your trees. Their feeding creates a sugary substance called honeydew, which attracts other hazardous pests, including ants, wasps, and yellow jackets. It also generates sooty mold, which can damage your plants and cause unsightly staining on your property.

Fall and winter is critical to preventing the spread

Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in late fall on trees and smooth surfaces — including outdoor furniture and the wheel wells of cars. The egg masses have a grey, muddy appearance, and as they age, resemble columns of brown, seed-like deposits. If you find a spotted lanternfly or egg mass, place it in a container with alcohol or hand sanitizer, which will kill it. Report the sighting to your local department of agriculture, or call us and we can assist.

One of the best measures of prevention is to have a certified arborist evaluate your risk and prescribe an appropriate prevention and treatment plan to keep your trees and property safe. Properties with trees of heaven are most susceptible, and may want to consider removal or treatment. Our experienced tree care professionals can help you properly identify your trees and make the right choice.

BrightView Principle Mark Carlos explains how the design team utilized the natural environment and themes of the community to create a palette for residents and a sustainable landscape at Greenwood in Tustin Legacy in Southern California.

(For the full transcript, see below.)

The Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards Coalition has recognized Oracle’s two area campuses with the overall award for efficient water use. BrightView worked with Oracle to achieve a savings of $573,000 and 91 million gallons of potable water in one year. 

BrightView maintains the landscape at Oracle’s World Headquarters in Redwood City, Calif., and their Santa Clara facilities, both of which were recognized for efficient water use.  

“Oracle’s expectation is for these campuses to be state-of-the-art and our team was excited to help make that happen,” said Brandon De Young, Vice President General Manager at BrightView. “We brought in HydroPoint and highly recommended their smart irrigation products and how we use them on site to preserve water.” 

BrightView installed HydroPoint WeatherTRAK smart controllers to the irrigation system, which helped to reduce water consumption by 29 percent. It was a three-month project to convert more than 50 conventional controllers to smart controllers. 

“We take the plant type, sprinkler type, slope, and soil type and combine them into a formula to determine the water needs for each zone,” De Young said. “The controllers also alert us of any issues from the last water cycle.” 

BrightView teams across the country have been pioneering enhanced water management through smart controller technology. Oracle also has decided to have smart irrigation products installed at all of their locations in California.

In addition to installing the irrigation controllers, BrightView planted California native plants, which require less water, and changed the irrigation to drip and high-efficient matched precipitation rate nozzles.

“It has been great working with Oracle and HydroPoint to support Oracle’s long-term goal of making their campuses more sustainable,” De Young said. “We all take pride in this achievement of being recognized and look forward to continuing this journey with them.”

BrightView-maintained Oracle sites honored for water savings, Lawn & Landscape
News roundup: Husqvarna acquires Atlas Copco’s Light Compaction and Concrete Equipment business, Total Landscape Care

The world’s bee population has been significantly dwindling over the past few years, startling many globally. Many know that bees are important and understand their role in pollination, but are surprised to hear that they are responsible for the growth of over one-third of our food supply. Industrialized land often replaces flowers and plants that are needed for their survival, leading some hotels to step up and turn their rooftops into homes for bees.

One of our valued clients, The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla., is one of 10 hotels recognized by USA Today as helping to save the bees. The resort created a haven for 200,000 bees and in return, the hotel uses the honey for the spa’s honey butter wrap and even in the Lobby Bar to create a special Amelia’s Blossom cocktail.

There are many steps, homeowners can take by planting bee-friendly gardens, using organic plants and plant material that is local to their region. Here is a list of 10 bee-friendly plants that can be grown in window boxes, containers or gardens.

BrightView, the nation’s leading landscape services company, is cutting a new path within the landscape maintenance industry in response to growing trends and customer requests’ for zero-emission, low-noise equipment. 

“We design, develop, maintain, and enhance landscapes for clients who have unique requirements regarding noise or environmental impacts and, in many cases, both,” said Jeff Herold, President of BrightView Landscape Services. “Recent advances in zero-emission technology are allowing us to look at this equipment in ways that will have great appeal for customers and help minimize our environmental impact.”

BrightView has purchased and is in the process of deploying electric mowers and other electric landscaping equipment in several markets this spring, Herold said.

“We continually look for ways to operate in a more environmentally conscious way and to assist our clients in ways that help them achieve their sustainability goals,” he said.  “We’re proud that BrightView is able to help lead our industry and pioneer the commercial use of this kind of equipment.” 

BrightView plans to have 200 electric mowers deployed by this year’s mowing season. The company also is piloting the use of electric charging trailers, blowers, trimmers, and edgers with the goal of having select teams pilot new models of completely emission-free equipment this summer.   

“When you think about the priorities of our clients, less noise can translate to better patient and student outcomes, more productive workplaces, or a more calming and serene community environment,” said Tim Russell, Vice President of Operations at BrightView. “This equipment has little environmental impact and allows us to be at the forefront of a changing industry.

Our long term goal is to significantly expand the use of environmentally friendly equipment that can withstand the rigors of commercial use.”

BrightView Deploying Zero-Emission, Low-Noise Equipment, Green Industry Pros
BrightView deploying zero-emission, low-noise equipment, Lawn & Landscape
BrightView to deploy zero-emission, low-noise equipment, Landscape Management