American Climate Partners launched SoilKeepers, a regenerative landscape management service 10 years ago. SoilKeepers began with a cooperative project, The River Friendly Yard, (2011-2013) conceived by the forerunner of American Climate Partners, Conserv, with Partners Rappahannock River Basin Commission, Virginia Department of Forestry, National Wildlife Federation, City of Fredericksburg, Friends of the Rappahannock, George Washington […]
OOO
Category: SoilKeepers
Categories
On Burning Cool Season Grasslands
We burn a lot. We burn using what they call prescribed burning (vegetation creates heat), we burn using propane burners of several sizes. Because of mid-Atlantic weather, we will do prescribed burn followed with mechanical burn because of higher humidity but having to get the work done. We burn with horticultural vinegar. We also use […]
We formulate our own all natural pasture and turfgrass amendments at Historic Rapidan Mill, Rapidan, VA. We call these Biogenicals and are a blend of naturally occurring compounds designed to maximize the health of ecolawn vegetation. Evaluation of our products and services is continuous. Our interests include impact on soil carbon, water holding capacity, greenhouse […]
In short, it is not good for leaves to be left to sit after they fall on a lawn… that is, if you would like to continue to have a lawn of grass. If left alone, leaves will mat on top of the grass, cutting out your lawn’s access to sunlight and air, and quickly […]
Beaver dam analogs, also known as BDAs, are man-made structures built out of wood and other natural resources designed to replicate the form and function of beaver dams. ACP began working on BDAs this year with the intent to help restore freshwater ecosystems and make possible habitats more suitable for beavers. Being that BDAs are […]
The Virginia Wildlife Habitat Cooperative, a sector of the Center, is working with residents of Gordonsville, VA to develop pollinator and quail corridors through neighboring land parcels. These corridors are simply designated areas on the owner’s land that we work with to promote an environment that is as close to its natural state as much […]
We are big fans of wild Senna, Oxeye Sunflower, Mountain Mint, and native warm season grasses in these situations where we are trying to feather out savanna from a tree field border to provide food and homes for pollinators and grassland birds. A few pictures from a large project North of Charlottesville.
To be a true eco-lawn in most areas of Virginia we believe a blend of legume and grass is needed, along with healthy soil biology. Several varieties of fescue with a few varieties of clover works great. Depending on the situation – a 70/30% blend respectively. To get the system where the vegetation-soil organisms are […]
Later this year, the Center will reformat the landscape contracting program, SoilKeepers, to a for profit company and acquire Orange, VA hay and feed producer Neuhauser Hay. The business focus of the new entity is Estate and Farm Regenerative Landscape Management. The new enterprise will be jointly owned by the Center Board of Directors and […]
Categories
Soil Nematodes and Biodiversity
SoilKeepers provides Regenerative Landscape Management to Estates and Farm Clients in Virginia. People ask what is regenerative landscaping? To us this means the reawakening of soil organisms that can continuously regenerate with little to no human intervention and provide all or most of the nutrients plants need to thrive. To the public we say this […]