Protecting Precious Pollinators
At Gachina Landscape Management, protecting pollinators has been a reality for over 10 years, when the Company started to offer to its clients a 100% organic landscape maintenance service. For clients open to this option, the use of pesticides had been replaced by broadcasting natural predators and parasites, such as nematodes, lacewings and ladybugs, in order to not cause harm to pollinators. Weeds have been removed by hand or with weed eaters so as not disturb native plants and grasses.
Over recent years, more and more emphasis has been directed in selecting native plants which by co-evolving with the native wildlife of our region, are preferred by the pollinators, as source of food, shelter and where to raise offspring.
For the last two years, Gachina’s Sustainable Landscape Department has been installing wildlife habitats, butterflies’ gardens, organic vegetable gardens and bees’ refuges. Gachina has two Certified Monarch Gardens as recognized by NABA – The North American Butterfly Association. These Certified Monarch Gardens create a paradise for butterflies while encouraging habitat restoration by providing essential elements needed by monarchs – natural food sources, clean water, cover and places and food for larvae, butterflies young stage.
Gachina has also been recognized for our Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation for our organic demonstration garden – aka The Farm. “I wanted to do my part to help” said the late John Gachina, Past President and Founder. “Redesigning our construction yard to make it more inviting to wildlife not only gives me something to enjoy but it also represents a teaching tool to our employees and their families. Since our Farm is completely organic, it came natural to recognize this area as a wildlife refuge. Bees, ladybugs, butterflies, several species of wild birds, squirrels, foxes and hummingbirds are a constant presence.”
These practices and more allow the pollinators’ population to thrive and the public to be more aware of the importance of everybody’s actions in maintaining this delicate balance. Click here to find out more about pollinators and sustainable landscaping at Gachina Landscape Management.
