Mark Slicker - A Passion for Landscaping and Sustainability

Mark Slicker, Business Development Manager for Terracare Associates, Texas, is a lifelong landscaper with a passion for the environment.  He worked on a field maintenance crew at a local landscape company over the summers to raise money for college.  After graduating from University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration he worked in the green industry before joining VMC Landscape Services in 1994.  With the recent acquisition, he heads up the Texas business development team for Terracare Associates.

Mark noticed early on in his career, that creating a sustainable landscape environment not only pays off for clients, but it also contributes to the longevity of the plant health and can save money for his clients.  He was particularly concerned about drought conditions and water use on landscape projects. 

A Commitment to Sustainability and the Environment 

Mark believes that it is not only the environment changes that makes us concerned, but societal pressures as well. As the populations grows, it places a strain on resources, infrastructures and more importantly, the water supply. To stretch our water resource, we need to be smarter on how we install and maintain landscapes.

Most of the states in the Western United States have experience severe drought conditions over the past five years.The extremes in weather and temperature with long hot summers presents landscape maintenance with unique perpetual challenges.The EPA reports about 30% of the residential water use is contributed to the outdoors. So many HOA’s, industrial and commercial properties and city parks have elevated concerns during drought conditions and seeking expert advice to take action.

Sustainability is becoming vital for the commercial landscape industry. For each new building, the landscaping installed is being designed with sustainability in mind. Existing buildings are also moving toward renovating their landscape with a more sustainable and water-wise design.

LEED-AP Certification

After several clients asked for help achieving LEED certifications on their buildings, Mark decided to achieve his LEED certification. In 2009, Mark achieved the LEED-AP designation. LEED certification is a professional credential from the U.S. Green Building Council signifying you are a leader in the field of sustainablity.  To get this certification, Mark underwent learning volumes of material supporting sustainable practices and ending with an extensive test. It also requires yearly continuing education classes to keep certifications active and relavant. The LEED Certification means that Mark can better serve his clients by focusing on ways to improve the "green" initiative through proper landscape design and water conservation.

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3 Reasons You Should Consider Turf Conversion

Silverado CA - Before Conversion

From California to the Southwest, the drought conditions continue. As we suffer through yet another year of harsh climate, property managers will find it a challenge to keep turf grass green and healthy. In addition, higher water costs and frequent water restrictions have us reevaluating landscape maintenance options.

With no end to the drought in sight, we have to think more proactively of ways to landscape with less water. What can you do to:

•    Maintain the beauty of the landscaping on your property?

•    Use less water in your landscape?

•    Keep your plants alive and healthy?

One of the best ways to accomplish these goals is with a turf reduction conversion.

What is Turf Conversion (or reduction)?

Turf reduction or landscape conversion involves replacing selected sections of turf grass with drought resistant, native plants or other landscape materials. Turf reduction conversion doesn't mean covering your property in pea gravel or monkey grass.

With the vast selection of beautiful native plants with low water needs, creative design and use of alternative landscaping materials, you will not miss the turf areas.

Native Plants and Xeriscaping

Based on the climate and layout of your property, you can use a variety of low-growing ground covers such as Asiatic Jasmine and Lamb’s Ear that can take the heat and have low water requirements. Water-wise perennials and ornamental grasses will also add color and texture to the landscape design.

Landscape Alternatives
Crushed granite, mulch and river rocks are a few landscape alternatives to replace irrigated turf grass in areas that are long and narrow or small and odd-shaped.



Silverado CA - After Conversion

Why You Should Consider Turf   Reduction Conversion

1. Uses less landscape water and reduces watering costs

Did you know that landscape watering accounts for nearly 30% of your residential water bill?

Everyone loves the look of a beautifully manicured, lush, green turf area on their property. However Turf reduction can substantially reduce your water needs.  Because of the rising cost of landscape watering, many municipalities offer a rebate for reducing the turf areas on residential and commercial properties. Silverado HOA saved more than $5,000 in water costs first year of installation.

2. Is turf grass the best choice for certain areas?

The best use of turf grass is on areas where people will be sitting or playing. Ask yourself: Is it necessary to have turf grass in parking strips/islands or on south-facing slopes? Why pay to water turf in these hard-to-maintain areas, when that water can be used for the most valuable things in your landscape: trees.

3. Sustainability and being green

Today, being water-wise and sustainable are not just buzzwords. Irrigation modifications, using native plants and xeriscaping design are not only good for business, but reducing your water usage is the right thing to do.  This can help with property values and attractiveness to tenants who value sustainability.

Is turf reduction right for your property?
Free Education Seminar
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PLANET - Terracare receives National Award of Excellence

Terracare Associates, a leading outdoor maintenance company headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, announces it has been honored with three (3) national industry awards. Professional Landcare Network, Planet, awarded the National Landscape Awards of Excellence for three properties Terracare Associates maintain; Wind Crest- Retirement Community, TMA – I25 South Corridor and Arapahoe Lakes Homeowners Association. Planet is the largest professional association in the U.S. for landscape design, construction, and maintenance companies.

Wind Crest Retirement Community

Account Manager: Cindy Gioia & Team: Jose Rodriguez Iniguez, Enrique Molina

Erasto Ojeda-Vazquez, Joel S Samano, Federico Sapien, Alfredo Solis,Rudy Sifuentes
Wind Crest is a high-end resort living retirement center, 55+ community with over 84 acres of property to maintain creating a relaxed and beautiful residential retreat for the aging. The location of the property sits upon a bluff overlooking the Rocky Mountains. The corporation's intent is to create a landscape that is inclusionary of their residents, while maintaining the highest standard in integrated plant life. This property provides gardens for congregating, open space, walk ways and horticultural therapy gardens for members of the community. Creating a safe environment for the residents is up most important which include snow removal and debris/trash removal. The landscape busts with native grass and cottonwoods while incorporating colors, drought tolerant turf and new installations. Plant Healthcare, aesthetics and irrigation are of critically importance to the property manager and to the residents.

Transportation Management Association - South I25 Urban Corridor

Account Manager: Aimee Lacouture & Team: Juan A. Ramirez, Juan A. Ramirez Jr., Blas I. Hernandez, Jesus G. Silos
One of the most unique projects in a landscape management portfolio of work; South I-25 urban corridor Transportation Management Association (TMA) is the management agency supporting transportation solutions for one of the busiest highway corridors in the state of Colorado. The public private partnership agency (TMA) was challenged to create an open space environment at highly congested interchanges. The projected outcome for each interchanges' landscape is to provide a common look and feel throughout the corridor and honoring specific interest of the 3 counties and 4 cities along the I-25 exchanges. This landscape contractor projects include: maintaining and integrating new install with native growth, irrigation, highway debris and pollution clean-up resulting in a distinctive and welcoming Colorado appearance. A bonus to the project is to build an ecosystem of plantings, bird and insect life mirroring a park-like setting.

Arapahoe Lakes

*Account Manager: Cindy Gioia & Team: Andrew Thomas, Guillermo Zabala, Rolando Rodriguez, Jose Rodriguez, Adrian Lozano, Rudy Sifuentes *

Arapahoe Lakes is a community of 208 single family homes and 13 townhomes. The property has a three acre lake, unusual for Colorado neighborhoods, swimming pool and four tennis courts. The Home Owners Association and property managers are fiscally responsible while committing to high quality landscape maintenance. As an established neighborhood in the region, the homeowners goal is to achieve an environmentally friendly neighborhood. Through a long-term partnership with client, Terracare Associates assisted in developing a plan of phased improvements focused on environmentally friendly landscape care. This plan reduced water usage by 34% and more than $11,000 in 2013.

For more information see Project Gallery

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Communication: Key to Productive Teams and Quality Service

Take a moment to hear what Terracare Associates Field Supervisor, Rudy has to say.....

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Outdoor Pests 2

 Lakes can have pests?

Aquatic Management Services- California & Colorado

Submitted by Stuart Perry,  Aquatics Service Manager - Terracare Associates

Pests and unwanted vegetation can impact man-made lakes, ponds and water features. Here are a few things you should know about residential and commercial lakes, ponds and other general water systems. A lot of residential lakes were developed to manage storm water runoff from the entire development and support the delicate ecosystem in place within the lakes.

The water that runs off of residential and commercial properties, parking lots, driveways, streets, etc., will enter the lake system through storm drains. This runoff contains numerous components (oil, grease, chemicals, pesticides, organic matter, etc.) that can affect the biological communities in the lake.

Higher nutrient concentrations can cause significant water quality problems, including greater aquatic vegetation and algae growth a.k.a. "the pests". The increase in nutrients comes mainly from lawn and garden fertilizers, which work their way into the lake. This happens when too much fertilizer is put on lawns, and then the irrigation water runoff carries the extra fertilizer to the lake.

To help control the excessive growth of vegetation and algae in some lakes, the lakes have to be treated during the spring and summer months. Lake residents and property managers can greatly help to keep their community lakes as healthy and attractive as possible, and reduce the need for treating/spraying, by using minimal amounts of fertilizer on their property and preventing irrigation water runoff. Additionally, the disposal of leaves and other organic debris into the storm drains, the lake and/or other waterways should be avoided. Decomposing organic debris can cause oxygen depletion, and stimulate algae growth. The water quality problems this creates increases the probability of fish kills.

To keep healthy water, residents and property owners are urged to :

• Never dump lawn clippings or organic material into the lake or storm drains
• Apply fertilizers sparingly, and never exceed label rates
• Adjust sprinklers and/or timers to prevent runoff from lawns or planted areas
• Clean up pet waste immediately and do not wash waste into storm drains
•  Do not feed waterfowl, to deter them from taking up residence

With this in mind, we can all help to maintain community lakes and  ponds to protect the delicate ecosystem that is in place.

For more information on how on Aquatic management please see
Terracare Associates Aquatic Management Service

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Outdoor Pests 1

Emerald Ash Borer - Colorado

 Submitted by Paul Gebinine, Certified Arborist - Terracare Associates

On September 23, 2013 the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was detected in Boulder County, confirming the state of Colorado is infected.   Based on the proven destruction in the Midwest, scientists expect emerald ash borer will ultimately kill almost every unprotected ash tree presently growing in North America.  The emerald ash borer destruction will have a similar (or greater) impact and look on our urban forests as the Mountain Pine Beetle kill in Colorado high country without prevention, as experts in Colorado estimate 15-20% of all trees in the Front Range are ash trees.

What is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?

The Emerald Ash Borer is a green beetle native to Asia and Eastern Russia and arrived in the US through a warehouse in southeast Michigan in 2002.  Emerald ash borer damages trees by tunneling (borer) areas under the bark, producing tunnels that obstruct the water and nutrients from moving within the tree. The damage is progressive and difficult to see until permanent damage is already underway. The EAB is considered the most destructive forest pest ever to hit North America and has killed more than 50 million trees across 22 states. 

How can Terracare Associates help?

Terracare Associates, a leading landscape maintenance company headquartered in Colorado, has designed an innovative program; Emerald Ash Borer Management Response Plan to proactively assist property managers to tailor the best protection plan for their property and ash trees now and in the future. 

We have a Certified Arborist on staff to assist each customer with building a customized EAB readiness plan for every sized property.  The EAB Management Response Plan is a simple 3 step process and includes free inventory and value estimate of your ash trees.   The property budget and aesthetics is of up most importance, and we listen to your needs to help evaluate the best protection options for managing EAB.



Contact us

Recommended EAB reading links:

ColoradoState Extension – EAB control options

EABDecision Guide
EAB Updates
FAQ Systemic insecticides

http://terracareassociates.com/emerald-ash-borer/emerald-ash-borer-management-response-plan/

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