Well, I apologize, it's been awhile since I've posted, but not really, because we've been busy! Our work for the Resource Conservation Districts continues along the Russian River and it's tributaries, where we are removing invasive/non-native plants and replacing them with native riparian plants (thanks to all the nurseries who are growing these babies for us).

In June the crew finished the first stage of the Occidental Apartment Remodel and we are really proud of the outcome. The new bathroom looks beautiful with a modern cottage style. The patio off the bedroom has a built in ground level planter box and the bedroom itself is spacious and homey with great views. The new appliances are working perfectly by saving water and/or energy and looking great doing it. You can check out pictures of this project in the photo gallery.

So far 2011 has been a great year for Baelin. We have continued working with Goldridge and Sotoyome Resource Conservation Districts to improve the land and create habitat. The crew has also worked on some private landscaping for homeowners and maintenance of previously installed landscapes. In the last few months, we have been working on an apartment remodel in Sebastopol where we have installed energy efficient appliances and water saving toilets and fixtures. This has been a great project for us and we can't wait to see the finished product in June.

The Baelin team is just finishing up an exciting project with Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District and Farm Stewards. In order to attract beneficial pollinator insects to a Graton area property owners vineyard, we have installed approximately 1,250 native and drought tolerant plants, including penstemon, california native rose, and ceanothus. We have also applied mulch to the planting areas in order to reduce runoff, retain moisture in the soil, and prohibit weed growth. Thanks to the property owner for matching funds to complete this valuable project.

We hope you've had a wonderful holiday season and would like to remind you, as you begin thinking about your goals for 2010, that this is the perfect time of year to install a sustainable landscape and smart irrigation system. Baelin can help you save time and money this year by decreasing your water usage and landscape upkeep. In addition, we will assist you in applying for any programs you may qualify for to subsidize your project. Once your landscape is installed, Baelin can assist you in any maintenance that is required to keep your new and existing plants healthy all year.

Baelin has recently been working with Sotoyome Resource Conservation District and local property owners to improve fish habitat by revegetating portions of Grape Creek in Healdsburg. So far, we have installed 221 native trees, including California Walnut, Coast Live Oak, and California Bay Laurel among others. In the near future, we will be installing Coast Redwood and drip irrigation to assist in plant establishment. We are honored to partner with these property owners and Sotoyome Resource Conservation District to restore ecological balance to this beautiful area.

The Baelin crew just finished a landscaping project that the owner loved. The PLUG (Personalized Landscape User Guide) is almost done and will be delivered soon. Baelin will be maintaining the new landscape and keeping it looking beautiful.

This week we have been given the opportunity to redirect water flow, no small task. The house we're working on was built under some massive Redwoods, on the downslope. Since the 1950's (when the home was built) the redwoods have grown (270-300 ft tall) and the root system is beginning to affect the foundation. Water runs directly down the trees into a natural basin next to the home. We will dig out around the foundation and add a waterproofing membrane, we will then begin to create our swale.

The crew is busy installing a 72 square foot live roof, with a water catchment system. We will be using lava rock for drainage, Sedums, Strawberries and Native Grasses for planting material. Our water catchment system was created using some local reused wine barrels, PVC and gravity. We directed the water off the roof into the first wine barrel which acts as a sediment tank, the overflow from this barrel enters into another barrel which has been plumbed for a gravity fed drip system that will irrigate a restoration planting area.

The crew is in El Cerrito for the next 3 weeks doing a Sustainable Landscape Job. The pictures coming back are great, keep up the good work guys.