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Permalink Reply by Mark on February 6, 2012 at 17:08

Hi,

It may sound a little retro, but you could add differential mowing, insect borders, dead wood habitats into the mix........

Mark

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Permalink Reply by James @ KentGardening on February 6, 2012 at 17:20

"opportunities to identify and minimise environmental impacts arising from grounds maintenance work"

If there is border maintenance included with in the spec, and these need to be mulched, then how about sourcing local recycled materials / manure / bark from a local source etc - this would reduce the environmental impact through lower total carbon emissions? Same could be said for new plants although this is difficult these days.

If there is no opportunity to compost perhaps it would be good to identify dump sites (allotments or farms) local to the site to minimise environmental impact of handling the arisings? 

Biodiversity - wild flower mixes over set aside areas and as mark says above. 

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Gillings @ DC inc on February 6, 2012 at 17:35

Thanks guys.

Just had an email from the tender to say not to answer this question now - as it will be asked at ITT point and they can't ask the same question again! 

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on February 6, 2012 at 17:42

It's about more than just biodiversity as James has picked up.

Minimising impacts includes reducing foot traffic on lawns where possible, ensuring no fuel is spilled, recycling grass clippings, ensuring noise levels are carefully controlled, using low-emission tools, using low volumes spray gear if spraying, or indeed using organic or environmentally-friendly products for control of weeds and feeding.

Biodiversity could be encouraged by avoiding chemicals, forming hedgehog passages, creating stick zones with hedge cuttings if possible, seeding or allowing growth of wildflower areas, leaving some dead wood if safe to encourage bird nesting, creation of ponds.

There are a lot of standard procedures you can describe as they may seem common but they do ensure env. impacts are minimised (e.g. not using machines before 8am, taking waste to a compost site, reducing road miles as far as possible, using organic 2 stroke oil, etc.

Good luck!

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Brian www.mibservices.co.uk on February 6, 2012 at 17:44

Cut and mulch cutting operations instead of cut and lift. No grass to landfill and all the nitrogen goes back into the soil to feed the grass usually goes down well if they are looking at environmetal issues.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on February 6, 2012 at 18:17

Yup, cut and mulch is what I meant by recycle clippings :) Very good for lawns and reduces a lot of mileage and fuel over the 'product' lifecycle (think diesel-driven windrowers, tumblers and sieves at compost facilities not to mention packaging).

You will need to have answers prepared anyway should you pass the PQQ stage.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on February 6, 2012 at 18:25

Would also weave in Organic fertilisers somewhere into responses and look at IPM solutions - rather than pesticides etc.

The beauty of LJN - always a rich array of ideas and answers - trouble I have, is bookmarking all the useful info for when I need it ! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Gillings @ DC inc on February 6, 2012 at 18:41

Amen to 'bookmarking all the info' I'm going to have swat up if I get through to ITT!

Gotta love LJN.

Cheers guys!

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on February 6, 2012 at 18:44

Yep, it's where it's at....:-)

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Permalink Reply by John on February 6, 2012 at 20:05

 Not hedgecutting during bird nesting times, allowing some corners to be overgrown

during the winter months, building wildlife towers out of old wooden pallets and filling with

different materials. Creating small ponds, and planting native species. Making sure that there

  are different levels in the area, eg large and small trees, shrubs perennials, and always have areas of long grass/wildflowers.

 The compost area is something that they should have, so it is always worth suggesting it, it could be combined with the pond area and the wildflower area, plus the wildlife tower and the pile of branches, as it then becomes an eco show case for them.    

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